- Aug 10 1st Queen's Hall Promenade Concerto (Wagner's "Rienzi")
- Aug 19 American frontier murderer and outlaw, John Wesley Hardin, is killed by an off-duty policeman in a saloon in El Paso, Texas.
- Aug 25 US National Championship Men's Tennis, Newport R.I.: Fred Hovey beats defending champion Robert Wrenn 6-3, 6-2, 6-4 for his lone major singles title
- Aug 26 Electric generator at Niagara Falls produces first power
- Aug 29 The formation of the Northern Rugby Union at the George Hotel, Huddersfield, England.
- Aug 30 Belgium begins compulsory Roman Catholic education
- Aug 31 1st pro football game (QB John Brallier paid $10 & won 12-0)