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August 29, 2025, marks the 241st day of the year, with just 124 days remaining. Let's take a journey through time, exploring significant events, birthdays, and milestones that have shaped our world.

In 1814, Alexandria, Virginia, formally surrendered to British military forces during the War of 1812. Fast forward to 1825, the Treaty of Rio de Janeiro was signed, ending the Brazilian War of Independence.

The U.S. Air Force Academy, a symbol of American military prowess, opened its doors in Colorado Springs, Colorado, in 1958. Meanwhile, the Bureau of Engraving and Printing began operations at the United States Treasury in 1862.

In the realm of entertainment, actors Carla Gugino, Elliott Gould, Rebecca De Mornay, and dancer-choreographer Mark Morris celebrate their birthdays today. Carla Gugino turns 54, Elliott Gould is 87, Rebecca De Mornay is 66, and Mark Morris is 69. Singer Me'Shell NdegeOcello and actor-singer Lea Michele also celebrate their birthdays, with Me'Shell being 57 and Lea Michele turning 39.

In the world of sports, Olympic gold medal long jumper Bob Beamon is 79, while Temple Grandin, an animal behaviorist and autism educator, is 78. Their accomplishments continue to inspire us today.

Remember the Beatles' iconic concert at Candlestick Park in San Francisco in 1966? That was their last public performance. Fast forward to 2008, when Republican presidential nominee John McCain picked Sarah Palin, a maverick conservative who had been governor of Alaska for less than two years, to be his running mate.

Sadly, we remember the devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina in 2005, which struck the U.S. Gulf Coast in southeast Louisiana. Nearly 1,400 lives were lost, and an estimated $200 billion in damage was caused. In 2021, Hurricane Ida, one of the strongest storms to ever hit the US Gulf Coast, struck, causing widespread destruction.

In the sporting world, we remember the Olympic marathon in Athens in 2004, where marathoner Vanderlei de Lima was attacked by a spectator. Despite the setback, de Lima showed remarkable sportsmanship, eventually finishing third and receiving the Pierre de Coubertin medal for his efforts.

Lastly, in a sweeping new policy statement in 2013, the Justice Department announced it would not stand in the way of states that wanted to legalize, tax, and regulate marijuana, as long as there were effective controls to keep marijuana away from children, the black market, and federal property.

These facts and milestones serve as a reminder of our shared history and the continuous evolution of our world.