- Aug 1 San Francisco Methodists establish 1st black church, Zion Methodist
- Aug 3 America's first intercollegiate sporting event takes place as the Harvard heavyweight rowing crew beats Yale by 2 lengths over 2 miles on Lake Winnipesaukee, New Hampshire
- Aug 13 Steamer "Atlantic" crossing Lake Erie from Buffalo to Detroit collides with a fishing boat, sinks with 250 aboard
- Aug 21 Tlingit Indians destroy Fort Selkirk, Yukon Territory.
Admirals
Aviators
Gangsters
Generals
Industrialists
Suffragists