On This Day

Historical Events in August 1791

  • Aug 2 Samuel Briggs and his son, patent nail-making machine
  • Aug 4 The Treaty of Sistova is signed, ending the Ottoman-Habsburg wars

USAUnited States Declaration of Independence

Aug 19 Benjamin Banneker sends a copy of his Almanac and writes a letter to Thomas Jefferson criticizing his pro-slavery stance and requesting justice for African Americans using language from the Declaration of Independence

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Engrossed copy of the United States Declaration of Independence
Engrossed copy of the United States Declaration of Independence
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  • Aug 22 Haitian Slave Revolution begins under voodoo priest Boukman
  • Aug 26 John Fitch granted US patent for his working steamboat
  • Aug 30 HMS Pandora sank after running aground on a reef the previous day, on her return from her search for the Bounty and the mutineers who had taken her

Event of interestEvent of Interest

Aug 30 Thomas Jefferson responds to Benjamin Banneker's letter on the issue of slavery

3rd US President Thomas Jefferson
3rd US President
Thomas Jefferson
Mathematician, Astronomer and Almanac Author Benjamin Banneker
Mathematician, Astronomer and Almanac Author
Benjamin Banneker


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