Events in History
Historic Event
Aug 2 George Washington creates Honorary Badge of Distinction
- Aug 7 George Washington creates the Purple Heart medal (original name Badge of Military Merit) as commander of the Continental Army
- Aug 14 Suriname forbids selling slave mothers without their babies
Battle of Interest
Aug 27 Battle of the Combahee River near Beaufort, South Carolina, American abolitionist John Laurens is killed leading the charge
Birthdays in History
Vicente Guerrero
Aug 9 Vicente Guerrero, Mexican revolutionary hero, general and 2nd President of Mexico (1829), born in Cuilapan, Oaxaca, Mexico (d. 1831)
Charles Napier
Aug 10 Charles Napier, British soldier and Major General of the Bombay Army who conquered Sindh and became its Governor (1843-47), born in Whitehall Palace, London (d. 1853)
- Aug 15 Henri de Mérode, Belgian revolutionary (Souvenirs), born in Brussels, Belgium (d. 1847)
Weddings in History
William Blake
Aug 18 Romantic Age poet and artist William Blake (24) marries Catherine Boucher (19) in St. Mary's Church, Battersea, London
Deaths in History
John Laurens
Aug 27 John Laurens, American soldier, diplomat and abolitionist, killed in battle at 27
- Aug 29 Richard Kempenfelt, Royal Navy Admiral drowns (b. 1718)
Authors
Civil Rights Activists
Inventors
Kings
Revolutionaries
Scientists