On This Day: August 30th

Gabonese coup d'état: After Ali Bongo Ondimba's reelection, a military coup ousted him, ending 56 years of Bongo family rule in Gabon.

The last remaining American troops leave Afghanistan, ending U.S. involvement in the war.

Prime Minister of Lesotho Tom Thabane flees to South Africa as the army allegedly stages a coup.

A Conviasa Boeing 737 crashes into Illiniza Volcano in Ecuador, killing all three people on board.

Rico Linhas Aéreas Flight 4823 crashes on approach to Rio Branco International Airport, killing 23 of the 31 people on board.

Second Congo War: Armed forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and their Angolan and Zimbabwean allies recapture Matadi and the Inga dams in the western DRC from RCD and Rwandan troops.

Bosnian War: NATO launches Operation Deliberate Force against Bosnian Serb forces.

The 11-day Ruby Ridge standoff ends with Randy Weaver surrendering to federal authorities.

Dissolution of the Soviet Union: Azerbaijan declares independence from Soviet Union.

STS-41-D: The Space Shuttle Discovery takes off on its maiden voyage.