On This Day

August 1769 in History

Events in History

  • Aug 18 A lightning strike on the Bastion of San Nazaro in Brescia, Italy, ignites 90 tonnes of gunpowder, killing 3,000 people

Birthdays in History


Person of interestNapoléon Bonaparte

Aug 15 Napoleon Bonaparte, French military leader and Emperor of the French (1804-14, 1815), born in Ajaccio, Corsica, France (d. 1821)

French Emperor Napoléon Bonaparte
French Emperor
Napoléon Bonaparte

Person of interestGeorges Cuvier

Aug 23 Georges Cuvier [Jean Léopold Nicolas Frédéric Cuvier], French naturalist and zoologist, born in Montbéliard, France (d. 1832)

Naturalist and Zoologist Georges Cuvier
Naturalist and Zoologist
Georges Cuvier

Deaths in History

  • Aug 2 Daniel Finch, 8th Earl of Winchilsea, English politician, dies at 80
  • Aug 29 Edmond Hoyle, games expert, dies (birth date unknown)