August 31, 2009 (Monday)
- Figures from 2008 reveal Ireland has experienced its highest number of births since 1896. (RTÉ) (Irish Independent) (The Irish Times)
- Lesbians are granted equal birth rights in England and Wales. (BBC) (The Daily Telegraph) (The Guardian)
- Britain will face widespread power cuts and rationing of energy in 2019 for the first time since the 1970s, according to Her Majesty's Government. (The Daily Telegraph)
- Disney reaches a deal to acquire Marvel Entertainment for US$4 billion, with Marvel shareholders being issued $30 and about 0.745 Disney shares for each share of Marvel they own. (Marketwatch)
- Nigeria charges several banking executives with financial crimes discovered following the $2.6 billion bail-out of five banks. (BBC)
- American Airlines retires all of its Airbus A300 aircraft after flying for American Airlines for the past 21 years.
- Russian forces state that they have killed an Algerian Al Qaeda operative and another militant during a raid on a house in Khasavyurt, Dagestan. (BBC)
- Iraqi officials begin negotiations with Serbia over the return of 19 MiG-21 and MiG-23 fighter jets sent to Yugoslavia in the 1980's for repairs. (BBC)
- Jason Mraz's I'm Yours becomes the longest running single in the Billboard Hot 100's history at 71 weeks on the chart. (Associated Press)
- Armenia and Turkey agree to establish diplomatic relations. (New York Times)