- Aug 1 US Customs begins enforcing Tariff Act
- Aug 4 French Revolution: The National Constituent Assembly meets and issues the first decrees that abolish centuries of feudalism in France
- Aug 7 US Congress creates the Department of War and the United States Lighthouse Establishment
- Aug 23 French Revolution: The National Assembly proclaims freedom of religious opinions
- Aug 24 French Revolution: The National Assembly proclaims freedom of speech
- Aug 26 The National Constituent Assembly adopts the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen at the beginning of the French Revolution
- Aug 27 French National Assembly issues the "Declaration of Rights of Man and Citizen"
Historic Discovery
Aug 28 William Herschel discovers Saturn's moon Enceladus
William Herschel