- Aug 8 Natal (in South Africa) is made a British colony
- Aug 15 National black convention meets (Buffalo NY)
- Aug 15 Tivoli Gardens amusement park opens in Copenhagen, world's 2nd oldest
- Aug 26 American inventor Charles Thurber patents a typewriter
- Aug 30 1st time African-Americans participate in a national political convention (Liberty Party)
- Aug 31 Liberty Party nominates James Birneyas presidential candidate