Stating date - Today, the <date>

[Unregistered2005]

Hi,

could you please see which one is correct?

Thanks

1. Today, on the 16th of august, there was a big earthquake....

2. Today, the 16th of august, there was a big earthquake..

[Casiopea]

Both are acceptable. "on" is often omitted in that context. Moreover, the second one looks like telegraph speech: the way in which newspaper headlines are written.

If I had to choose, I'd say, the first one is better.

Note, months of the year are capitalized; e.g., August.