Historical Events
Historic Invention
Aug 10 German chemist Felix Hoffmann first synthesizes acetylsalicylic acid, which would later be patented by his company Bayer under the name "aspirin"
- Aug 14 The town of Anosimena is captured by French troops from Menabe defenders in Madagascar.
- Aug 17 W. B. Purvis patents electric railway switch (aka points)
- Aug 19 1st electric taxis driven in London
- Aug 21 Oldsmobile first manufactured by Olds Motor Vehicle Co. in Lansing, Michigan
- Aug 23 US National Championship Men's Tennis, Newport R.I.: Defending champion Robert Wrenn beats Wilberforce Eaves 4-6, 8-6, 6-3, 2-6, 6-2 for his 4th US singles title
- Aug 30 The town of Ambiky is captured by France from Menabe in Madagascar
Kitchener Occupies Berber
Aug 31 British General Kitchener's army occupies Berber, North of Khartoum
Kinetoscope Patented
Aug 31 Thomas Edison patents the Kinetoscope [kinetographic camera], a device which produces moving pictures
Famous Birthdays
- Aug 2 Karl Otto Koch, German SS-officer, born in Darmstadt, Germany (d. 1945)
- Aug 2 Max Weber, Swiss Federal Councilor, born in Zürich, Switzerland (d. 1974)
- Aug 4 Joseph Calleia, Maltese-American stage, screen, and radio actor (The Jungle Book; Gilda; Touch of Evil), born in Mdina, Malta (d. 1975)
- Aug 5 Aksel Larsen, Danish politician, founder of the Socialist People's Party, born in Brændekilde, Denmark (d. 1972)
- Aug 7 Franz Johannes Weinrich [Heinrich Lerse], German writer (Himmlisches), born in Hanover, Germany (d. 1978)
- Aug 9 Ralph Wyckoff, American scientist and pioneer of X-ray crystallography, born in Geneva, New York (d. 1994)
- Aug 10 Edward Gourdin, American athlete (long jump WR 7.69 m 1921; Olympic silver 1924) and jurist, born in Jacksonville, Florida (d. 1966)
- Aug 10 John Galbreath, American businessman (d. 1988)
- Aug 10 Piet Bakker, Dutch journalist and novelist (Ciske the Rat), born in Rotterdam, Netherlands (d. 1960)
Enid Blyton (1897-1968)
Aug 11 English children's writer, fifth most popular author in the world (Famous Five, Secret Seven, The Adventure), born in London, England
- Aug 11 Louise Bogan, American poet and critic (Sleeping Fury), born in Maine (d. 1970)
- Aug 12 Manuel Blancafort, Spanish-Catalan pianist and composer, born in La Garriga, Spain (d. 1987)
- Aug 12 Maurice Fernandes, West Indian cricket batsman (2 Tests, HS 22; British Guiana), born in Georgetown, British Guiana (d. 1981)
- Aug 12 Otto Struve, Russian-American astronomer (discoveries in stellar spectroscopy at Yerkes observatory), born in Dorpat, Russian Empire (d. 1963)
- Aug 12 Ramón González Barrón, Spanish composer, born in Villanueva del Campo, Spain (d. 1987)
- Aug 15 Marion Eugene Bauer, American composer, born in Walla Walla, Washington (d. 1955)
- Aug 16 Robert Ringling, circus master, born in Baraboo, Sauk County, Wisconsin (d. 1950)
- Aug 16 Vicente Ascone, Italian composer, born in Siderno, Italy (d. 1979)
- Aug 20 Tarjei Vesaas, Norwegian poet and author (Det Store Spelet), born in Vinje, Telemark, Norway (d. 1970)
- Aug 22 Bill Woodfull, Australian cricketer (Australian captain in the Bodyline series), born in Maldon, Australia (d. 1965)
- Aug 22 Elizabeth Bergner, Austrian actress (Catherine the Great), born in Drohobycz, Galicia, Austria-Hungary (d. 1986)
- Aug 22 Nick Lucas [Dominic Lucanese], American jazz guitarist and singer ("Tiptoe Through the Tulips"; "Painting the Clouds With Sunshine"), born in Newark, New Jersey (d. 1982)
- Aug 24 Fred Rose, American songwriter and music publishing executive (Nashville's Acuff-Rose Music), born in Evansville, Indiana (d. 1954)
- Aug 25 Jaroslav Řídký, Czech composer, born in Reichenberg, Czech Republic (d. 1956)
- Aug 26 Yoon Boseon, Korean politician, President of South Korea (1960-62), born in Asan, Joseon (d. 1990)
- Aug 27 Ad van Emmenes, Dutch soccer reporter, born in Amsterdam (d. 1989)
- Aug 28 Morris Ankrum, American actor (Kronos, Half Human, Earth vs Flying Saucers), born in Danville, Illinois (d. 1964)
Fredric March (1897-1975)
Aug 31 American actor (Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, The Best Years of Our Lives), born in Racine, Wisconsin
- Aug 31 Marianne Bruns, German writer, born in Leipzig, Germany (d. 1994)
