August 1: Saints, Historical Milestones and Notable Births

On August 1 the Catholic calendar commemorates Saint Alfonso Maria de’ Liguori, a 17th‑century bishop, theologian and Doctor of the Church.

The date also marks a key moment in World War I: on 1 August 1914 Germany declared war on Russia, expanding the conflict that had begun a month earlier.

Notable figures born on this day include American novelist Herman Melville (1819), author of Moby‑Dick, and Italian athletes Marcell Jacobs, who won the 100 m at the Tokyo 2021 Olympics, and Gianmarco Tamberi, who secured the high‑jump gold at the same Games.