On This Day

Pulitzer Prize awarded to Barbara Tuchman (Guns of August)

The Guns of August (published in the UK as August 1914) is a 1962 book centered on the first month of World War I written by Barbara W. Tuchman.

The Guns of August (published in the UK as August 1914) is a 1962 book centered on the first month of World War I written by Barbara W. Tuchman. After introductory chapters, Tuchman describes in great detail the opening events of the conflict. The book's focus then becomes a military history of the contestants, chiefly the great powers.

The Guns of August provides a narrative of the earliest stages of World War I, from the decisions to go to war up until the start of the Franco-British offensive that stopped the German advance into France. This led to four years of trench warfare.

Historical Significance

The Guns of August (published in the UK as August 1914) is a 1962 book centered on the first month of World War I written by Barbara W.

Events Before

  1. Belgium grants Rwanda internal self-governance

    Belgium grants Rwanda internal self-governance

  2. John Glenn becomes the first American to orbit Earth aboard Friendship 7

    John Herschel Glenn Jr. (July 18, 1921 – December 8, 2016) was an American Marine Corps aviator, astronaut, businessman, and politician.

  3. Philadelphia center Wilt Chamberlain scores 100 points, the most ever by an NBA player in a single game, in the Warriors

    Philadelphia center Wilt Chamberlain scores 100 points, the most ever by an NBA player in a single game, in the Warriors' 169-147 win over the NY Knicks in Hershey; 36-of-63 from the field, 28-of-32 from the free-throw line

  4. Five research groups announce the discovery of antimatter

    Five research groups announce the discovery of antimatter

  5. Stan Musial scores his 1,869th run, setting a new National League record

    Stan Musial scores his 1,869th run, setting a new National League record

Events After

  1. First government report by US Surgeon General Luther Terry warning that smoking may be hazardous

    First government report by US Surgeon General Luther Terry warning that smoking may be hazardous

  2. American MLB baseball player Pete Rose (22) weds first wife Karolyn Englehardt; divorce in 1980

    American MLB baseball player Pete Rose (22) weds first wife Karolyn Englehardt; divorce in 1980

  3. "Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb", political satire film directed by Stanley Kubric

    "Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb", political satire film directed by Stanley Kubrick, and starring Peter Sellers and George C. Scott, premieres

  4. First appearance of the Beatles on "The Ed Sullivan Show", live from New York; broadcast draws 73.7 million television v

    First appearance of the Beatles on "The Ed Sullivan Show", live from New York; broadcast draws 73.7 million television viewers

  5. Billy Rose and Joyce Mathews divorce again

    Billy Rose (born William Samuel Rosenberg; September 6, 1899 – February 10, 1966) was an American impresario, theatrical showman, lyricist and columnist.

More from the 1960s

Frequently Asked Questions

What happened on May 6, 1963?
The Guns of August (published in the UK as August 1914) is a 1962 book centered on the first month of World War I written by Barbara W. Tuchman. After introductory chapters, Tuchman describes in great detail the opening events of the conflict.
Why is Pulitzer Prize awarded to Barbara Tuchman (Guns of August) significant?
The Guns of August (published in the UK as August 1914) is a 1962 book centered on the first month of World War I written by Barbara W.

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