Today in History - 1st of August

1981 Music Television is launched

The channel, popularly known as MTV was mostly known for showing music videos and for being hosted by Video Jockeys.
1980 Vigdís Finnbogadóttir takes office in Iceland

The Icelandic politician was the fourth president of Iceland and the world's first democratically elected female head of state. Her 16 years of Presidency also makes her the longest serving female head of state in the world.
1951 Japan Airlines (JAL) is founded

The flagship airlines of Japan, JAL started operating on October 25, 1951.

1936 The XI Summer Olympics are opened in Berlin by Adolf Hitler

Initially, Jews and people of African descent were to be barred from the games, however, a boycott was threatened by several countries and the German organizers relented. 18 African-American athletes, including James "Jesse" Owens and Matthew "Mack" Robinson, placed well in the track and field events, winning several medals.
1834 Slavery abolished in British Empire

The Slavery Abolition Act 1833 came into force a year after it was passed by the British Parliament. The act was repealed in 1998.