What Happened in August 1782

Historical Events


Event of interestEvent of Interest

Aug 2 George Washington creates Honorary Badge of Distinction

First US President George Washington
First US President
George Washington
  • Aug 7 George Washington creates the Purple Heart medal (original name Badge of Military Merit) as commander of the Continental Army
  • Aug 14 Suriname forbids selling slave mothers without their babies

Famous Birthdays

  • Aug 10 Charles Napier, soldier, born in London, England

Person of interestVicente Guerrero

Aug 10 Vicente Guerrero, Mexican revolutionary hero, general and 2nd President of Mexico (1829), born in Cuilapan, Oaxaca, Mexico (d. 1831)

Revolutionary General and President of Mexico Vicente Guerrero
Revolutionary General and President of Mexico
Vicente Guerrero
  • Aug 15 Henri de Mérode, Belgian revolutionary (Souvenirs) (d. 1847)

Famous Weddings


HeartWedding of Interest

Aug 4 Musician Wolfang Amadeus Mozart (26) weds Constanze Weber in St. Stephen's Cathedral in Vienna, Austria

Classical Musician and Composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Classical Musician and Composer
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

HeartWedding of Interest

Aug 18 Romantic Age poet and artist William Blake (24) marries Catherine Boucher, 5 years his junior, in St. Mary's Church, Battersea, London.

Poet/Artist William Blake
Poet/Artist
William Blake

Famous Deaths


Person of interestJohn Laurens

Aug 27 John Laurens, American soldier, diplomat and abolitionist, killed in battle at 27

Soldier, Diplomat and Abolitionist John Laurens
Soldier, Diplomat and Abolitionist
John Laurens
  • Aug 29 Richard Kempenfelt, Royal Navy Admiral drowns (b. 1718)