1933day.year
Loggers cause a forest fire in the Coast Range of Oregon, later known as the first forest fire of the Tillamook Burn; destroying 240,000 acres (970 km) of land.
A logging operation sparks the first Tillamook Burn forest fire in Oregon, devastating nearly 240,000 acres.
In dry summer conditions, sparks from logging equipment ignited tinder-dry underbrush in Oregon’s Coast Range on August 14, 1933.
The blaze quickly grew out of control, consuming approximately 240,000 acres of old-growth forest.
Now known as the first of the Tillamook Burn fires, it marked the beginning of a series of devastating wildfires.
Efforts to contain the fire involved hundreds of firefighters but were hampered by rugged terrain and strong winds.
The disaster led to large-scale reforestation projects and reforms in forest management practices across the Pacific Northwest.
1933
forest fire
Coast Range
Oregon
Tillamook Burn
1972day.year
An Ilyushin Il-62 airliner crashes near Königs Wusterhausen, East Germany killing 156 people.
An Ilyushin Il-62 passenger airliner crashed near Königs Wusterhausen, East Germany, killing all 156 people on board in one of the country’s deadliest aviation disasters.
On August 14, 1972, an Interflug Ilyushin Il-62 departed Schönefeld Airport near Berlin but experienced engine failure shortly after takeoff.
The flight lost control and impacted a forested area near Königs Wusterhausen, spreading wreckage across dense trees.
Rescue and recovery efforts were hampered by the remote location and lack of road access.
Investigators determined that faulty turbine blades and insufficient emergency procedures led to the crash.
The disaster prompted sweeping safety revisions in East Germany’s civil aviation sector and stricter maintenance standards for Soviet-built jets.
Today, memorials near the site honor those who perished and serve as a reminder of aviation safety advancements.
1972
crashes near Königs Wusterhausen
2003day.year
A widescale power blackout affects the northeast United States and Canada.
A massive blackout in 2003 left tens of millions of people in the northeastern US and Canada without power for days.
On August 14, 2003, a cascading failure in the power grid triggered one of North America’s largest blackouts.
Over 50 million people in eight US states and Ontario, Canada, lost electricity, halting transportation, communication, and essential services.
The outage began with a software bug in an Ohio control room, which prevented operators from detecting overloads.
In the absence of timely warnings, overloaded lines shut down in rapid succession, affecting major cities such as New York, Detroit, and Toronto.
Emergency crews worked tirelessly to restore power, which took up to four days in some areas.
The incident prompted a comprehensive overhaul of grid management, system monitoring, and inter-utility coordination.
2003
widescale power blackout
2005day.year
Helios Airways Flight 522, en route from Larnaca, Cyprus to Prague, Czech Republic via Athens, crashes in the hills near Grammatiko, Greece, killing 121 passengers and crew.
In 2005, Helios Airways Flight 522 crashed near Grammatiko, Greece, due to cabin depressurization, killing all 121 aboard.
Helios Airways Flight 522 took off from Larnaca International Airport on August 14, 2005, bound for Prague with a stop in Athens.
Shortly after takeoff, the aircraft’s cabin failed to pressurize correctly, incapacitating passengers and crew.
Unaware of the emergency, the plane continued on autopilot until it ran out of fuel and descended into hilly terrain near Grammatiko.
All 115 passengers and six crew members lost their lives in the crash.
Investigators identified a misconfigured pressurization system and human errors in maintenance as primary causes.
The tragedy led to stricter safety protocols for pressurization checks and crew training worldwide.
2005
Helios Airways Flight 522
Cyprus
Grammatiko
2013day.year
UPS Airlines Flight 1354 crashes short of the runway at Birmingham–Shuttlesworth International Airport, killing both crew members on board.
UPS Airlines Flight 1354 crashed while attempting to land in Birmingham, Alabama, resulting in the deaths of both crew members.
On August 14, 2013, UPS Flight 1354, a cargo flight operating between Louisville and Birmingham, attempted to land in a thunderstorm.
The aircraft descended below the glide path and crashed short of the runway at Birmingham–Shuttlesworth International Airport.
Both pilots onboard were killed, and the wreckage was heavily damaged by post-crash fire.
An investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board cited unstable approach procedures and adverse weather as contributing factors.
The accident led UPS to review its training and guidance for pilots facing severe weather conditions.
Safety recommendations were issued to improve pilot decision-making during critical approach phases.
UPS Airlines Flight 1354
Birmingham–Shuttlesworth International Airport
2018day.year
The collapse of the Ponte Morandi bridge in Genoa, Italy, left 16 people injured and 43 people killed.
In 2018, the Morandi Bridge in Genoa suddenly collapsed during a rainstorm, killing 43 people and injuring 16.
On August 14, 2018, a 210-meter section of the Ponte Morandi, a key highway bridge spanning the Polcevera River, collapsed.
The incident occurred during heavy rain, sending cars and trucks plunging into the ravine below.
Rescue teams faced challenging terrain and adverse weather as they searched for survivors amid twisted concrete and steel.
Investigations pointed to structural corrosion and design flaws dating back to the bridge’s construction in the 1960s.
The tragedy prompted Italy to accelerate inspections and reinforce safety measures on similar aging infrastructures.
In the aftermath, the autostrada was replaced by the new San Giorgio Bridge, symbolizing renewal and vigilance.
2018
collapse of the Ponte Morandi bridge
Genoa
2021day.year
A magnitude 7.2 earthquake strikes southwestern Haiti, killing at least 2,248 people and causing a humanitarian crisis.
A powerful magnitude 7.2 earthquake struck southwestern Haiti on August 14, 2021, resulting in widespread devastation and a severe humanitarian crisis.
On August 14, 2021, a magnitude 7.2 earthquake struck southwestern Haiti, one of its strongest quakes in decades. It leveled homes and critical infrastructure across the Grand’Anse, Sud, Nippes, and Ouest departments, leaving tens of thousands homeless. The tremor was felt as far as the capital, Port-au-Prince, triggering panic among residents. More than 2,248 lives were lost, and over 12,000 people were injured. The disaster deepened Haiti’s ongoing political, economic, and security crises, complicating relief operations. Survivors faced shortages of shelter, food, clean water, and medical care in makeshift camps. International aid agencies mobilized to deliver emergency supplies, but efforts were hampered by damaged roads and political instability. The earthquake underscored Haiti’s vulnerability to natural disasters and highlighted the urgent need for long-term resilience and infrastructure improvements.
2021
magnitude 7.2 earthquake
Haiti
humanitarian crisis
2022day.year
An explosion destroys a market in Armenia, killing six people and injuring dozens.
A sudden explosion ripped through an outdoor market in Armenia on August 14, 2022, killing six and wounding dozens of shoppers and vendors.
On August 14, 2022, an explosion tore through a bustling market in Armenia, claiming six lives and injuring dozens more. Emergency services quickly responded, rushing victims to nearby hospitals where medical staff treated a range of injuries from shrapnel wounds to burns. Authorities launched a full investigation to determine whether the blast was caused by a gas leak, faulty equipment, or other factors. Local residents and community groups organized blood drives and relief efforts to support the families of the victims. News of the tragedy prompted calls for stricter safety inspections and enforcement of regulations in public marketplaces. Officials pledged to review safety protocols and improve emergency response procedures to prevent such incidents in the future.
2022
explosion destroys a market in Armenia, killing six people and injuring dozens