August 17, 1978 – Ben Abruzzo, Maxie Anderson, and Larry Newman become the first people to complete the world's First Transatlantic balloon flight

The feat was accomplished in a balloon called the Double Eagle II.

August 18, 1958 – Lolita is first published in the U.S.

The highly controversial novel written by Russian-American novelist Vladimir Nabakov detailed an adult man’s obsession over 12-year-old Dolores Haze, who he secretly calls Lolita.

August 19, 1960 – Sputnik 5 is launched by USSR

The Soviet spacecraft carried two dogs, Strelka and Belka, who became the first living beings to survive in space.

August 20, 1975 – Viking 1 is launched by NASA using a Titan launch vehicle

It became the first space probe to successfully land on Mars.

August 21, 1911 –The Mona Lisa is stolen

The famed Leonardo da Vinci painting was stolen by a Louvre employee. It was recovered two years later in Italy.

August 22, 1963 – First person to enter Space twice

The record was set by Joseph A. Walker, a United States Air Force Captain, and a fighter pilot while flying the X-15, an experimental hypersonic rocket-powered aircraft.

August 23, 1904 – Snow Chains patented

Harry D. Weed of New York was awarded a patent for snow chains by the United States Patent Office. Snow chains are attached to tires of vehicles to improve their traction on snowy and icy roads.