By: HISTORY.com Editors

1971

Pitching ace Bob Gibson throws first no-hitter

Bettmann Archive

Published: November 16, 2009Last Updated: August 14, 2025

On August 14, 1971, St. Louis Cardinals ace Bob Gibson throws the first no-hitter of his storied career. Gibson’s heroics helped his team sail to an 11-0 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Gibson overcame numerous childhood ailments—including rickets, asthma and a heart murmur—to earn a basketball scholarship to Creighton University after high school. His basketball skills were so impressive that in 1957 he spent a year playing for the Harlem Globetrotters, an exhibition team devoted to combining humor and basketball tricks, that was comprised of world-class players like Meadowlark Lemon and, for a time, Wilt Chamberlain. Despite the good pay, Gibson soon became frustrated with the team’s emphasis on comedic showmanship, and decided to switch sports. Prior to the 1958 season, Gibson signed as a pitcher with baseball’s St. Louis Cardinals, and after a year in the minors, was promoted to the major leagues. By 1962, he was one of the team’s most accomplished starters, and he soon established himself as one of the most dominant pitchers in baseball history.

Bob Gibson retired after the 1975 season. He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1981.

Timeline

Also on This Day in History

Discover more of the major events, famous births, notable deaths and everything else history-making that happened on August 14th

1751

A daughter poisons her father

Francis Blandy falls into a coma and dies in his home outside London, England. Later that night, Blandy’s daughter Mary offered one of the family’s servants a large sum of money to help her get to France immediately. Mary was forced to flee on her own when he refused, but she was chased down and […]

1:54m read

1795

George Washington signs Jay Treaty with Britain

On August 14, 1795, President George Washington signs the Jay (or “Jay’s”) Treaty with Great Britain. This treaty, known officially as the “Treaty of Amity Commerce and Navigation, between His Britannic Majesty; and The United States of America” attempted to diffuse the tensions between England and the United States that had risen to renewed heights […]

1917

China declares war on Germany

On August 14, 1917, as World War I enters its fourth year, China abandons its neutrality and declares war on Germany. From its inception, the Great War was by no means confined to the European continent; in the Far East, two rival nations, Japan and China, sought to find their own role in the great […]

1935

FDR signs Social Security Act

President Franklin D. Roosevelt signs into law the Social Security Act on August 14, 1935. Press photographers snapped pictures as FDR, flanked by ranking members of Congress, signed into law the historic act, which guaranteed an income for the unemployed and retirees. FDR commended Congress for what he considered to be a “patriotic” act. Roosevelt had […]

1:22m read

1945

Japan’s surrender made public on V-J Day

In what later became known as V-J Day, an official announcement of Japan’s unconditional surrender to the Allies during World War II is made public to the world on August 14, 1945.

1:44m read

1985

Michael Jackson takes control of the Beatles’ publishing rights

On August 14, 1985, King of Pop Michael Jackson purchases the publishing rights to the vast majority of the Beatles’ catalog for $47 million. It was while collaborating on 1983’s “Say Say Say” that former Beatle Paul McCartney is said to have advised Jackson to invest some of his enormous wealth in music publishing. It […]

2:34m read

1994

The terrorist known as Carlos the Jackal is captured

On August 14, 1994, French intelligence agents capture terrorist Illich Ramirez Sanchez, long known as Carlos the Jackal, in Khartoum, Sudan. Since there was no extradition treaty with Sudan, the French agents sedated and kidnapped Carlos. The Sudanese government, claiming that it had assisted in the arrest, requested that the United States remove their country […]

1:40m read

2003

Blackout hits Northeast United States

A major outage knocked out power across the eastern United States and parts of Canada on August 14, 2003. Beginning at 4:10 p.m. ET, 21 power plants shut down. Fifty million people were affected.

2:14m read

Sports

31 videos

Sports

Who Invented Basketball?

A Canadian is to thank for one of America’s favorite pastimes.

Sports

What Was the 1919 ‘Black Sox’ Baseball Scandal?

In 1919, Chicago White Sox players allegedly threw the World Series. It remains one of professional baseball’s most notorious scandals.

Sports

When the College Football Stars Played NFL Champs

During the mid-20th century, standout college players and Super Bowl champions faced off in a charity game series.

About the author

HISTORY.com Editors

HISTORY.com works with a wide range of writers and editors to create accurate and informative content. All articles are regularly reviewed and updated by the HISTORY.com team. Articles with the “HISTORY.com Editors” byline have been written or edited by the HISTORY.com editors, including Amanda Onion, Christian Zapata, Cristiana Lombardo and Adrienne Donica.

Fact Check

We strive for accuracy and fairness. But if you see something that doesn't look right, click here to contact us! HISTORY reviews and updates its content regularly to ensure it is complete and accurate.

Citation Information

Article Title: Pitching ace Bob Gibson throws first no-hitter
Author: HISTORY.com Editors
Website Name: History
URL: https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/august-14/pitching-ace-throws-first-no-hitter

Date Accessed: October 21, 2026
Publisher: A&E Television Networks
Last Updated: August 14, 2025
Original Published Date: November 16, 2009

Pitching ace Bob Gibson throws first no-hitter

Related

Sports

Who Invented Basketball?

What Was the 1919 ‘Black Sox’ Baseball Scandal?

When the College Football Stars Played NFL Champs

About the author

Fact Check

Citation Information