{"id":699,"date":"2016-04-13T00:03:49","date_gmt":"2016-04-12T23:03:49","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.earth-site.co.uk\/Education\/?page_id=699"},"modified":"2026-01-13T10:56:34","modified_gmt":"2026-01-13T10:56:34","slug":"29th-of-august","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.earth-site.co.uk\/Education\/29th-of-august\/","title":{"rendered":"29th of August: Traditions &#038; Turning Points in History"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[et_pb_section fb_built=&#8221;1&#8243; admin_label=&#8221;section&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.16&#8243; locked=&#8221;off&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_row admin_label=&#8221;row&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.16&#8243; background_size=&#8221;initial&#8221; background_position=&#8221;top_left&#8221; background_repeat=&#8221;repeat&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_column type=&#8221;4_4&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.16&#8243; custom_padding=&#8221;|||&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; custom_padding__hover=&#8221;|||&#8221;][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.5&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; hover_enabled=&#8221;0&#8243; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; sticky_enabled=&#8221;0&#8243;]<\/p>\n<h1 data-start=\"274\" data-end=\"347\"><strong data-start=\"276\" data-end=\"347\">August 29th: Calendar Facts, Traditions &amp; Turning Points in History<\/strong><\/h1>\n<p data-start=\"349\" data-end=\"654\">August 29th resonates through time as a day of profound transformation, innovation, and resilience. From ground-shaking storms to cinematic milestones and dramatic shifts in society, this date has witnessed pivotal moments that changed the world. Let\u2019s dive into what makes August 29th uniquely memorable.<\/p>\n<hr data-start=\"656\" data-end=\"659\" \/>\n<h2 data-start=\"661\" data-end=\"713\">** Where August 29th Falls in the Calendar Year**<\/h2>\n<ul data-start=\"715\" data-end=\"1373\">\n<li data-start=\"715\" data-end=\"851\">\n<p data-start=\"717\" data-end=\"851\"><strong data-start=\"717\" data-end=\"736\">Day of the year<\/strong>: August 29 is the <strong data-start=\"755\" data-end=\"780\">241st day of the year<\/strong> in the <strong data-start=\"788\" data-end=\"810\">Gregorian calendar<\/strong>, leaving <strong data-start=\"820\" data-end=\"832\">124 days<\/strong> until December 31.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"852\" data-end=\"914\">\n<p data-start=\"854\" data-end=\"914\"><strong data-start=\"854\" data-end=\"867\">Leap year<\/strong>: In a leap year, it becomes the <strong data-start=\"900\" data-end=\"913\">242nd day<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"915\" data-end=\"1035\">\n<p data-start=\"917\" data-end=\"1035\"><strong data-start=\"917\" data-end=\"927\">Zodiac<\/strong>: Falls under <strong data-start=\"941\" data-end=\"950\">Virgo<\/strong> (August 23\u2013September 22), symbolising precision, intellect, and a methodical nature.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"1036\" data-end=\"1202\">\n<p data-start=\"1038\" data-end=\"1059\"><strong data-start=\"1038\" data-end=\"1058\">Seasonal context<\/strong>:<\/p>\n<ul data-start=\"1062\" data-end=\"1202\">\n<li data-start=\"1062\" data-end=\"1129\">\n<p data-start=\"1064\" data-end=\"1129\"><strong data-start=\"1064\" data-end=\"1087\">Northern Hemisphere<\/strong>: Late summer, nearing the harvest season.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"1132\" data-end=\"1202\">\n<p data-start=\"1134\" data-end=\"1202\"><strong data-start=\"1134\" data-end=\"1157\">Southern Hemisphere<\/strong>: Late winter, anticipating spring\u2019s arrival.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"1203\" data-end=\"1282\">\n<p data-start=\"1205\" data-end=\"1282\"><strong data-start=\"1205\" data-end=\"1219\">Birthstone<\/strong>: <strong data-start=\"1221\" data-end=\"1232\">Peridot<\/strong>, associated with strength, peace, and prosperity.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"1283\" data-end=\"1373\">\n<p data-start=\"1285\" data-end=\"1373\"><strong data-start=\"1285\" data-end=\"1301\">Birth flower<\/strong>: <strong data-start=\"1303\" data-end=\"1316\">Gladiolus<\/strong>, signifying remembrance, sincerity, and moral integrity.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p data-start=\"1375\" data-end=\"1507\">These calendar details root August 29th in natural and symbolic rhythms, offering a sense of continuity amid the day\u2019s rich history.<\/p>\n<hr data-start=\"1509\" data-end=\"1512\" \/>\n<h2 data-start=\"1514\" data-end=\"1561\">** Traditions &amp; Observances on August 29th**<\/h2>\n<p data-start=\"1563\" data-end=\"1649\">While not as tradition-rich as some dates, August 29 sees several notable observances:<\/p>\n<ul data-start=\"1651\" data-end=\"2141\">\n<li data-start=\"1651\" data-end=\"1784\">\n<p data-start=\"1653\" data-end=\"1784\"><strong data-start=\"1653\" data-end=\"1696\">International Day Against <a title=\"The Fascinating World of Nuclear Chemistry: Uncovering the Science Behind Nuclear Reactions\" href=\"https:\/\/www.earth-site.co.uk\/Education\/the-fascinating-world-of-nuclear-chemistry-uncovering-the-science-behind-nuclear-reactions\/\">Nuclear Tests<\/a><\/strong>: Designated by the UN to raise awareness of the global threat posed by nuclear testing.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"1785\" data-end=\"1989\">\n<p data-start=\"1787\" data-end=\"1822\"><strong data-start=\"1787\" data-end=\"1821\">More Contemporary Celebrations<\/strong>:<\/p>\n<ul data-start=\"1825\" data-end=\"1989\">\n<li data-start=\"1825\" data-end=\"1900\">\n<p data-start=\"1827\" data-end=\"1900\"><strong data-start=\"1827\" data-end=\"1858\">\u201cMore Herbs, Less Salt Day\u201d<\/strong> \u2013 encouraging healthier food preparation.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"1903\" data-end=\"1989\">\n<p data-start=\"1905\" data-end=\"1989\"><strong data-start=\"1905\" data-end=\"1935\">\u201cNational Lemon Juice Day\u201d<\/strong> \u2013 a quirky celebration of this common kitchen staple.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"1990\" data-end=\"2141\">\n<p data-start=\"1992\" data-end=\"2019\"><strong data-start=\"1992\" data-end=\"2018\">Religious Remembrances<\/strong>:<\/p>\n<ul data-start=\"2022\" data-end=\"2141\">\n<li data-start=\"2022\" data-end=\"2141\">\n<p data-start=\"2024\" data-end=\"2141\">In some Christian traditions, it\u2019s a day for honouring certain saints and martyrs, though this varies by denomination.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p data-start=\"2143\" data-end=\"2291\">Even in the absence of widely practised rituals, these observances reflect the range of cultural and health-focused themes associated with the date.<\/p>\n<hr data-start=\"2293\" data-end=\"2296\" \/>\n<h2 data-start=\"2298\" data-end=\"2342\">** Top Historical Events on August 29th**<\/h2>\n<p data-start=\"2344\" data-end=\"2484\">Let\u2019s explore the most significant moments that defined August 29 throughout history, woven into an engaging narrative of change and impact.<\/p>\n<hr data-start=\"2486\" data-end=\"2489\" \/>\n<h3 data-start=\"2491\" data-end=\"2540\"><strong data-start=\"2495\" data-end=\"2540\">1. 1533 \u2013 Destruction of Q\u02bceqchi\u02bc Capital<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p data-start=\"2541\" data-end=\"2782\">In 1533, the Q\u02bceqchi\u02bc Maya capital was destroyed during <a title=\"History of Spain\" href=\"https:\/\/www.earth-site.co.uk\/Education\/history-of-spain\/\">Spanish conquest campaigns<\/a> in Guatemala. This marked a major shift in regional power, as Spanish colonisers spread, reshaping indigenous cultures and territories across Central America.<\/p>\n<hr data-start=\"2784\" data-end=\"2787\" \/>\n<h3 data-start=\"2789\" data-end=\"2860\"><strong data-start=\"2793\" data-end=\"2860\">2. 1842 \u2013 Launch of the Post Office\u2019s First &#8220;Penny Black&#8221; Stamp<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p data-start=\"2861\" data-end=\"3124\">On August 29, 1842, Britain introduced a <strong data-start=\"2902\" data-end=\"2922\">dual-value stamp<\/strong>, which paved the way for the famous <strong data-start=\"2959\" data-end=\"2974\">Penny Black<\/strong> in 1840 (the world&#8217;s first stamp). These innovations revolutionised mail service, advancing communication and commerce in an era of global expansion.<\/p>\n<hr data-start=\"3126\" data-end=\"3129\" \/>\n<h3 data-start=\"3131\" data-end=\"3203\"><strong data-start=\"3135\" data-end=\"3203\">3. 1949 \u2013 Birth of the First Live Television Broadcast in the UK<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p data-start=\"3204\" data-end=\"3461\">Television history took a leap forward when the <strong data-start=\"3252\" data-end=\"3259\">BBC<\/strong> launched its first <strong data-start=\"3279\" data-end=\"3312\">live television news bulletin<\/strong>. This milestone marked a turning point in global media, reshaping how people consumed information\u2014shifting from print to real-time visual reporting.<\/p>\n<hr data-start=\"3463\" data-end=\"3466\" \/>\n<h3 data-start=\"3468\" data-end=\"3546\"><strong data-start=\"3472\" data-end=\"3546\">4. 1958 \u2013 Legendary Boxing Bout: Ingemar Johansson vs. Floyd Patterson<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p data-start=\"3547\" data-end=\"3801\">On this date, <strong data-start=\"3561\" data-end=\"3582\">Ingemar Johansson<\/strong> stunned the world by knocking out <strong data-start=\"3617\" data-end=\"3636\">Floyd Patterson<\/strong> in the third round, claiming the <strong data-start=\"3670\" data-end=\"3711\">World Heavyweight Boxing Championship<\/strong>. It was an electrifying sporting moment, with ripple effects throughout the boxing world.<\/p>\n<hr data-start=\"3803\" data-end=\"3806\" \/>\n<h3 data-start=\"3808\" data-end=\"3853\"><strong data-start=\"3812\" data-end=\"3853\">5. 1966 \u2013 The Great Flood of Florence<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p data-start=\"3854\" data-end=\"4141\">A catastrophic flood hit <strong data-start=\"3879\" data-end=\"3898\">Florence, Italy<\/strong>, submerging historic landmarks, priceless art, and centuries of cultural heritage under water and mud. This disaster spurred a massive international response and highlighted the fragility of cultural treasures in the face of natural calamity.<\/p>\n<hr data-start=\"4143\" data-end=\"4146\" \/>\n<h3 data-start=\"4148\" data-end=\"4206\"><strong data-start=\"4152\" data-end=\"4206\">6. 2005 \u2013 Hurricane Katrina Forms Over the Bahamas<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p data-start=\"4207\" data-end=\"4488\">On August 29, 2005, <strong data-start=\"4227\" data-end=\"4248\">Hurricane Katrina<\/strong> made its fateful landfall near New Orleans\u2014one of the deadliest and most destructive hurricanes in U.S. history. The city suffered massive flooding and devastation, exposing vulnerabilities in disaster preparedness and government response.<\/p>\n<hr data-start=\"4490\" data-end=\"4493\" \/>\n<h3 data-start=\"4495\" data-end=\"4557\"><strong data-start=\"4499\" data-end=\"4557\">7. 2007 \u2013 Final Book in \u201cHarry Potter\u201d Series Released<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p data-start=\"4558\" data-end=\"4823\">Fans around the globe celebrated as <strong data-start=\"4594\" data-end=\"4636\">\u201cHarry Potter and the Deathly Hallows\u201d<\/strong> hit shelves on August 29, wrapping up a literary saga that spanned a generation. It became a cultural landmark\u2014beloved by readers of all ages and leaving a lasting legacy in pop culture.<\/p>\n<hr data-start=\"4825\" data-end=\"4828\" \/>\n<h2 data-start=\"4830\" data-end=\"4885\">** Chronological Timeline of Events on August 29th**<\/h2>\n<div class=\"_tableContainer_sk2ct_1\">\n<div class=\"_tableWrapper_sk2ct_13 group flex w-fit flex-col-reverse\" tabindex=\"-1\">\n<table class=\"w-fit min-w-(--thread-content-width)\" data-start=\"4887\" data-end=\"5667\">\n<thead data-start=\"4887\" data-end=\"4972\">\n<tr data-start=\"4887\" data-end=\"4972\">\n<th data-start=\"4887\" data-end=\"4899\" data-col-size=\"sm\">Year<\/th>\n<th data-start=\"4899\" data-end=\"4972\" data-col-size=\"md\">Event<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody data-start=\"5060\" data-end=\"5667\">\n<tr data-start=\"5060\" data-end=\"5146\">\n<td data-start=\"5060\" data-end=\"5072\" data-col-size=\"sm\"><strong data-start=\"5062\" data-end=\"5070\">1533<\/strong><\/td>\n<td data-start=\"5072\" data-end=\"5146\" data-col-size=\"md\">Spanish forces destroy the Q\u02bceqchi\u02bc Maya capital in Guatemala.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr data-start=\"5147\" data-end=\"5232\">\n<td data-start=\"5147\" data-end=\"5159\" data-col-size=\"sm\"><strong data-start=\"5149\" data-end=\"5157\">1842<\/strong><\/td>\n<td data-col-size=\"md\" data-start=\"5159\" data-end=\"5232\">Introduction of postage stamp innovations leading to the Penny Black.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr data-start=\"5233\" data-end=\"5319\">\n<td data-start=\"5233\" data-end=\"5245\" data-col-size=\"sm\"><strong data-start=\"5235\" data-end=\"5243\">1949<\/strong><\/td>\n<td data-start=\"5245\" data-end=\"5319\" data-col-size=\"md\">BBC airs the UK\u2019s first live television news bulletin.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr data-start=\"5320\" data-end=\"5406\">\n<td data-start=\"5320\" data-end=\"5332\" data-col-size=\"sm\"><strong data-start=\"5322\" data-end=\"5330\">1958<\/strong><\/td>\n<td data-col-size=\"md\" data-start=\"5332\" data-end=\"5406\">Ingemar Johansson knocks out Floyd Patterson to become the boxing champion.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr data-start=\"5407\" data-end=\"5493\">\n<td data-start=\"5407\" data-end=\"5419\" data-col-size=\"sm\"><strong data-start=\"5409\" data-end=\"5417\">1966<\/strong><\/td>\n<td data-start=\"5419\" data-end=\"5493\" data-col-size=\"md\">Catastrophic flood damages Florence\u2019s art and architecture.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr data-start=\"5494\" data-end=\"5580\">\n<td data-start=\"5494\" data-end=\"5506\" data-col-size=\"sm\"><strong data-start=\"5496\" data-end=\"5504\">2005<\/strong><\/td>\n<td data-start=\"5506\" data-end=\"5580\" data-col-size=\"md\">Hurricane Katrina devastates New Orleans and the Gulf Coast.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr data-start=\"5581\" data-end=\"5667\">\n<td data-start=\"5581\" data-end=\"5593\" data-col-size=\"sm\"><strong data-start=\"5583\" data-end=\"5591\">2007<\/strong><\/td>\n<td data-col-size=\"md\" data-start=\"5593\" data-end=\"5667\">\u201cHarry Potter and the Deathly Hallows\u201d was released worldwide.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<hr data-start=\"5669\" data-end=\"5672\" \/>\n<h2 data-start=\"5674\" data-end=\"5709\">** Fun Facts About August 29th**<\/h2>\n<ul data-start=\"5711\" data-end=\"6219\">\n<li data-start=\"5711\" data-end=\"5857\">\n<p data-start=\"5713\" data-end=\"5857\"><strong data-start=\"5713\" data-end=\"5739\">Deep Cultural Heritage<\/strong>: Florence\u2019s flood galvanized international appreciation for art preservation, leading to new conservation techniques.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"5858\" data-end=\"5977\">\n<p data-start=\"5860\" data-end=\"5977\"><strong data-start=\"5860\" data-end=\"5889\">Broadcasting Breakthrough<\/strong>: The BBC\u2019s first live broadcast marked the beginning of real-time global news coverage.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"5978\" data-end=\"6106\">\n<p data-start=\"5980\" data-end=\"6106\"><strong data-start=\"5980\" data-end=\"6003\">Literary Phenomenon<\/strong>: Children and adults queued overnight for the final Harry Potter book\u2014millions read it on release day.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"6107\" data-end=\"6219\">\n<p data-start=\"6109\" data-end=\"6219\"><strong data-start=\"6109\" data-end=\"6131\">Sporting Shockwave<\/strong>: Johansson\u2019s win was one of boxing\u2019s greatest upsets, rocking the heavyweight division.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<hr data-start=\"6221\" data-end=\"6224\" \/>\n<h2 data-start=\"6226\" data-end=\"6257\">** Why August 29th Matters**<\/h2>\n<p data-start=\"6259\" data-end=\"6345\">This date reminds us how <a title=\"History Contents\" href=\"https:\/\/www.earth-site.co.uk\/Education\/history-contents\/\">history intertwines<\/a> the human, the natural, and the cultural:<\/p>\n<ul data-start=\"6347\" data-end=\"6983\">\n<li data-start=\"6347\" data-end=\"6468\">\n<p data-start=\"6349\" data-end=\"6468\"><strong data-start=\"6349\" data-end=\"6373\">Empires and Conquest<\/strong>: The fall of the Q\u02bceqchi\u02bc capital speaks to early encounters and the reshaping of native rule.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"6469\" data-end=\"6590\">\n<p data-start=\"6471\" data-end=\"6590\"><strong data-start=\"6471\" data-end=\"6499\">Communication Revolution<\/strong>: Stamps and television broadcasts highlight leaps in how we connect and share information.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"6591\" data-end=\"6734\">\n<p data-start=\"6593\" data-end=\"6734\"><strong data-start=\"6593\" data-end=\"6617\">Culture and Heritage<\/strong>: Florence\u2019s flood and Harry Potter\u2019s finale show the power of art, both in vulnerability and in popular imagination.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"6735\" data-end=\"6868\">\n<p data-start=\"6737\" data-end=\"6868\"><strong data-start=\"6737\" data-end=\"6759\">Climate and Crisis<\/strong>: Katrina\u2019s devastation underscores ongoing challenges in resilience, equity, and environmental preparedness.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"6869\" data-end=\"6983\">\n<p data-start=\"6871\" data-end=\"6983\"><strong data-start=\"6871\" data-end=\"6894\">Unexpected Outcomes<\/strong>: Ingemar Johansson\u2019s victory reminds us that change often comes when we least expect it.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p data-start=\"6985\" data-end=\"7126\">August 29th isn\u2019t just another day\u2014it\u2019s a prism through which we can examine human ingenuity, creativity, failure, and endurance across time.<\/p>\n<hr data-start=\"7128\" data-end=\"7131\" \/>\n<ul data-start=\"7161\" data-end=\"7373\">\n<li data-start=\"7328\" data-end=\"7373\">\n<p data-start=\"7330\" data-end=\"7373\">\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]<\/p>\n<dl class=\"tdih_list\"><dt class=\"tdih_event_type\"><\/dt><dd><span class=\"tdih_event_year\"><\/span>  <span class=\"tdih_event_name\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.earth-site.co.uk\/Education\/Images\/calender days\/Aug29.png\" alt=\"May 10\" width=\"274\" height=\"252\" align=\"left\" border=\"0\" hspace=\"12\" loading=\"lazy\" \/><\/span><\/dd><dd><span class=\"tdih_event_year\">1991<\/span>  <span class=\"tdih_event_name\"><p style=\"font-weight: 400\"><strong>In 1991 the Soviet Union dissolved their communist government.<\/strong><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400\">Communism ends in\u00a0<a title=\"Russia\" href=\"https:\/\/www.earth-site.co.uk\/Education\/russia\">Russia<\/a>\u00a0after 74 years.<\/p>\r\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400\">Communism began in Russia with the \u2018Red October\u2019 revolution in 1917 which followed the February Revolution that removed the Tsars from power.<\/p>\r\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400\">During World War II Russia expanded and took over several countries which became part of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR). Massive spending on its military to compete with the US during the cold war, and poverty in the USSR began to show in the beginning of the 1980s when they started relying on financial help from the West.<\/p>\r\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400\">On the 11<sup>th<\/sup> of March 1985, the Communist Party gained a new leader, Mikhail Gorbachev, who was the first leader not to be alive during the original revolution. Gorbachev realised that in order to improve the economy he would have to introduce some new drastic changes. One of these changes was known as glasnost (which literally means publicity but was used to mean justice of governance) which was a drastic change in policy, giving Soviets much more freedom of speech and transparency of the government. Gorbachev hoped to eliminate corruption in the communist party. Gorbachev allowed the privatising of companies for the first time to promote growth in the economy. He introduced a presidential system on the 1st of July 1988 and allowed for free multiparty\u00a0elections for the first time in Russia since the revolution of 1917.<\/p>\r\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400\">These first elections projected the anger of the Soviet people to the corruption and restrictions they had previously faced. The polls held on the 27th of March 1989 left many communist officials defeated.<\/p>\r\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400\">Gorbachev also made huge changes in foreign policy through open talks with\u00a0<a title=\"United States of America\" href=\"https:\/\/www.earth-site.co.uk\/Education\/united-states\">America<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0<a title=\"United Kingdom\" href=\"https:\/\/www.earth-site.co.uk\/Education\/united-kingdom\">Britain<\/a>. He made the first steps to reducing Soviet Nuclear weapons and urged the US to do the same which allowed for the end of the bitter \u201cCold War\u201d.<\/p>\r\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400\">Gorbachev was seen by many as a hero of democracy, especially in the West, but many of the hardline communist party leaders saw Gorbachev as a menace to all that the USSR stood for.<\/p>\r\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400\">On March the 11th 1990 Lithuania (one of the republics of the USSR taken in World War II) took the unprecedented step as declaring their independence from the USSR. President Mikhail Gorbachev had changed a policy which stated that the USSR had the right to stop communist countries from changing their constitution and Lithuania took this as a chance to escape. Gorbachev had not meant for the policy change to extend to the republics of the USSR and he ordered them to retract their declaration of independence or face the consequences. They were given until the 17th of March but instead of obeying Russia they defiantly re-enforced their declaration by asking other nations to officially recognise their independence. Gorbachev sent in troops but this didn\u2019t deter many more of the republics also declaring their own independence by the start of 1991.<\/p>\r\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400\">On the 15<sup>th<\/sup>\u00a0of March 1990 Gorbachev became the first elected President of the Soviet Union but he would not keep the title for long. On the 19<sup>th<\/sup>\u00a0of August 1991 those communist party leaders that opposed his views for change initiated a coup against him. But Gorbachev had significant support in the form of Boris Yeltsin. Yeltsin was a very popular figure and would have been the number one choice to take over from Gorbachev. Yeltsin used his influence to quash the coup and called on the Russian people not to except regime change. By the 23<sup>rd<\/sup>\u00a0of August the coup was over. 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