Historical Events
Event of Interest
Aug 2 Albert Einstein writes to US President FDR informing him of recent research on fission chain reactions making possible the construction of "extremely powerful bombs" [1]
- Aug 2 US Hatch Act prohibits political activity by federal workers
Ondine
Aug 3 Jean Genet's play "Ondine" premieres in Paris
Radio Premiere
Aug 6 1st broadcast of "Dinah Shore Show" on NBC-radio
Event of Interest
Aug 7 Millionaire Howard Hughes is presented with a Congressional Gold Medal
Venice Film Festival
Aug 8 7th Venice Film Festival opens with a United States boycott due to Benito Mussolini's Fascist Italian regime
- Aug 10 2nd Dutch De Geer government forms (1st with Social Democrats)
- Aug 11 Sergei Rachmaninov's last appearance in Europe
- Aug 12 Sabotage suspected in 'City of San Francisco' train crash which derails near Harney, Nevada, killing 24
- Aug 13 Yankees set AL shutout margin with 21-0 victory over A's
- Aug 14 First night MLB game in the City of Chicago is played at Comiskey Park; White Sox beat St. Louis Browns, 5-2
The Wizard of Oz
Aug 15 "The Wizard of Oz", American musical fantasy film adaptation of L. Frank Baum's book, premieres at Grauman's Chinese Theatre, Hollywood; directed by Victor Fleming and King Vidor with cast featuring Judy Garland (Dorothy), Ray Bolger (Scarecrow), Jack Haley (Tin Man), Bert Lahr (Cowardly Lion), Frank Morgan (Wizard), Billie Burke (Glinda), and Margaret Hamilton (Wicked Witch); songs by Harold Arlen and Yip Harburg
- Aug 15 13 Nazi Luftwaffe Stuka dive bombers crash into the ground during a disastrous practice-demonstration at Neuhammer-am-Queis, Silesia, Germany (now Świętoszów, Poland) . No survivors.
- Aug 15 First night game at baseball's Comiskey Park in Chicago, White Sox beat Cleveland Browns 5-2
The Wizard of Oz
Aug 17 Musical film "The Wizard of Oz", starring Judy Garland, Ray Bolger, Bert Lahr, Jack Haley, and Margaret Hamilton opens at Loews Capitol Theatre, NYC
- Aug 19 37.6 cm rainfall at Tuckerton, NJ (state record)
- Aug 20 1st black bowling league formed (National Bowling Assoc)
- Aug 20 Russian offensive under General Zjoekov against Japanese invasion in Mongolia
- Aug 21 Attorney Samuel Tucker organizes a peaceful sit-in at the public library in Alexandria, Virginia, in effort to grant Black patrons equal access; five young men are arrested for disorderly conduct - no trial is ever held and charges officially dropped 80 years later, and community builds a separate facility nearby [1]
- Aug 22 Dutch border guards take positions for German invasion
- Aug 22 Premier De Geer recalls Dutch holidaymakers in Black Forest
- Aug 23 John Cobb (Britain) drives 365.85 MPH (593.48 KPH) at Bonneville Flats
Molotov–Ribbentrop Pact
Aug 23 Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union agree to the Molotov-Ribbentrop non-aggression pact and secretly divide Poland between themselves, setting the stage for World War II
- Aug 24 Germany & USSR sign 10-year non-aggression pact
- Aug 26 1st major league baseball telecast on W2XBS- Cincinnati Reds defeat the Brooklyn Dodgers at Ebbets Field, Brooklyn
- Aug 26 Belgium mobilizes
- Aug 26 Croatia gets autonomous status
- Aug 27 Erich Warsitz in a Heinkel He-178 makes the 1st manned jet-propelled flight, with a turbo engine designed by Hans von Ohain
- Aug 27 Nazi Germany demands Danzig & Polish corridor
Event of Interest
Aug 27 Queen Wilhelmina of the Netherlands receives German ambassador Grave Zech
Monty Takes Command
Aug 28 Gen Bernard Montgomery ("Monty") becomes commander of 3rd "Iron" Infantry division
- Aug 28 Journalist Care Hollingworth observes the “large numbers of troops, literally hundreds of tanks, armored cars and field guns” Germany had aligned along the Polish border. Three days later, Hitler invades Poland and WWII begins.
- Aug 28 Netherland mobilizes
- Aug 28 Sammy Fain and Jack Yellen's musical "George White's Scandals" premieres in NYC
Event of Interest
Aug 29 Chaim Weizmann informs England that Palestine Jews will fight in WW II
- Aug 30 6th NFL Chicago All-Star Game: NY Giants 9, All-Stars 0 (81,456)
- Aug 30 General Reijnders appointed supreme commander of Dutch army
Yamamoto Takes Command
Aug 30 Isoroku Yamamoto appointed Commander-in-Chief of the Japanese Imperial Navy combined fleet
- Aug 30 NY Yankee Atley Donald pitches a baseball a record 94.7 mph (152 kph)
- Aug 30 Poland mobilizes for war
- Aug 31 Japanese invasion army driven out of Mongolia
- Aug 31 Staged "Polish" assault on radio station in Gleiwitz
Famous Birthdays
- Aug 1 Robert James Waller, American author (Bridges of Madison County), born in Charles City, Iowa (d. 2017)
- Aug 1 Stephen Sykes, Church of England bishop, born in Bristol, England (d. 2014)
- Aug 2 Benjamin Barber, American political theorist (Jihad vs. McWorld), born in Manhattan, New York (d. 2017)
Wes Craven (1939-2015)
Aug 2 American film director (Nightmare on Elm Street, Scream), born in Cleveland, Ohio
- Aug 4 Frank Vincent, American actor (The Sopranos), born in North Adams, Massachusetts (d. 2017)
- Aug 4 Frankie Ford [Guzzo], American rock vocalist ("Sea Cruise"), born in Gretna, Louisiana, (d. 2015)
- Aug 5 Irene, Princess of Netherlands, born at Soestdijk Palace, Baarn, Netherlands
- Aug 6 (William) "Sonny" Sanders, American soul vocalist, songwriter, arranger and producer (Jackie Wilson), born in Chicago, Illinois (d. 2016)
- Aug 7 Anjanette Comer, American actress (Baby, Lepke), born in Dawson, Texas
- Aug 7 Verna Bloom, American actress (After Hours, Badge 373), born in Lynn, Massachusetts (d. 2019)
- Aug 8 Alexander Watson, American ambassador and diplomat
- Aug 8 Philip E. Baisley, American country singer (Statler Brothers - "Class of '57"), born in Augusta, Virginia
- Aug 8 Viorica Viscopoleanu, Romanian athlete (Olympic gold, long jump 1968), born in Storozhynets, Romania
- Aug 8 William Hibbard, American composer, musician and conductor, born in Newton, Massachusetts (d. 1989)
- Aug 9 Billy Henderson, American pop and R&B singer (The Spinners, 1954-2004 - "The Rubberband Man"), born in Indianapolis, Indiana (d. 2007)
- Aug 9 Brito [Hércules de Brito Ruas], Brazilian footballer, born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Aug 9 Claude Osteen, American baseball pitcher (Cincinnati Reds), born in Caney Spring, Tennessee
- Aug 9 Max Neuhaus, American classical musician and experimental percussionist (sound sculptures), born in Beaumont, Texas (d. 2009)
- Aug 10 Charles Rose, American politician (Rep-D-North Carolina, 1973-97), born in Fayetteville, North Carolina (d. 2012)
- Aug 10 Kate O'Mara, English actress (Caress Morell-Dynasty), born in Leicester, England (d. 2014)
- Aug 11 Attila Bozay, Hungarian composer, born in Balatonfűzfő, Hungary (d. 1999)
- Aug 11 Ronnie Dawson, American rockabilly guitarist (Rockabilly Hall of Fame, 1998), born in Dallas, Texas (d. 2003) [1]
- Aug 12 George Hamilton, American actor (Love at First Bite), born in Memphis, Tennessee
- Aug 12 Pam Ryan-Kilborn, Australian hurdler (Olympic silver 1968)
- Aug 12 Roy Romanow, Canadian politician (Premier of Saskatchewan 1991-2001), born in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
- Aug 12 Sushil Koirala, Nepalese politician, Prime Minister of Nepal (2014-2015), born in Biratnagar, Morang (d. 2016)
- Aug 13 Howard Tate, American soul singer and songwriter ("Ain't Nobody Home"; "Get It While You Can"), born in Elberton, Georgia (d. 2011)
- Aug 13 Saul Steinberg, American businessman, founder of Leasco and CEO of Reliance Insurance Company, born in Brooklyn, New York (d. 2012)
- Aug 15 (Herman) Onno Ruding, Dutch politician (CDA) (Financial Minister, 1982-89), and businessman (Director of Amrobank, 1971-77), born in Breda, Netherlands
- Aug 15 Herman van Keeken, Dutch singer ("Daddy Don't Run So Fast"), born in Hilversum, Netherlands (d. 1995)
- Aug 15 Norma Waterson, British folk music revivalist, and singer-songwriter, born in Hull, East Yorkshire, England (d. 2022)
- Aug 16 Billy Joe Shaver, American country singer-songwriter (When I Get My Wings), born in Corsicana, Texas (d. 2020)
- Aug 16 Carol Shelley, actress (Gwendolyn Pidgeon-Odd Couple), born in London, England
- Aug 16 Eric Weissberg, American singer and musician (Duelling Banjos), born in New York (d. 2020)
- Aug 16 Sir Trevor Mcdonald, Trinidadian-born British television newsreader
- Aug 16 Valeri V Ryumin, cosmonaut (Soyuz 25, 32)
- Aug 16 Wim Meijer, Dutch politician and Leader of the Labour Party (PvdA: 1981-82), born in Harkstede, Netherlands
- Aug 17 Anthony Valentine, British actor (Colditz), born in Blackburn, Lancashire (d. 2015)
- Aug 17 Luther Allison, American rock guitarist ("Bad News Is Coming"), born in Mayflower Arkansas (d. 1997)
- Aug 18 Harald Heide-Steen Jr., Norwegian actor and comedian, born in Oslo, Norway (d. 2008)
- Aug 18 Joe Azcue, Cuban baseball player, born in Cienfuegos, Cuba
- Aug 18 Johnny Preston, American singer (Running Bear), born in Port Arthur, Texas (d. 2011)
- Aug 18 Maxine Brown, American soul and R&B singer and songwriter (It's All in My Mind), born in Kingstree, South Carolina
- Aug 18 Molly Bee, American actress (Pinky Lee Show), born in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma (d. 2009)
- Aug 18 Robert Horton, British businessman and CEO (BP), born in London, England (d. 2011)
- Aug 19 [Peter] "Ginger" Baker, English drummer (Cream - "Sunshine Of Your Love"; "Toad"; Blind Faith - "Do What You Like"), born in London, England (d. 2019)
- Aug 20 Fernando Poe Jr., Filipino actor and politician (2004 presidential candidate), born in Manila, Commonwealth of the Philippines (d. 2004)
- Aug 21 Clarence Williams III, American actor (Mod Squad; 52 Pick Up; Purple Rain), born in New York City (d. 2021)
- Aug 21 Ernie Maresca, American singer and songwriter ("Runaround Sue"; "The Wanderer"), born in The Bronx, New York (d. 2015)
- Aug 21 Festus Mogae, 3rd President of Botswana (1998-2008), born in Serowe, Bechuanaland, Botswana
- Aug 21 Harold Reid, American country bass vocalist (Statler Brothers - "Bed Of Rose's"), born in Staunton, Virginia (d. 2020)
- Aug 21 James Burton, American guitarist (Ricky Nelson; Elvis Presley; Elvis Costello), born in Dubberly, Louisiana
- Aug 22 Candido Lima, Portuguese composer, born in Viana do Castelo, Portugal
Carl Yastrzemski (84 years old)
Aug 22 American Baseball HOF left fielder, 1st baseman, 1961-83 (18X MLB All-Star; AL MVP & Triple Crown 1967; 7X Gold Glove Award; Boston Red Sox), born in Southampton, New York
- Aug 22 Valerie Harper, American actress (The Mary Tyler Moore Show; Rhoda), born in Suffern, New York (d. 2019)
- Aug 23 Charles Wardle, British Member of Parliament for Bexhill and Battle
- Aug 23 Ronnie A. Casseres, minister of Dutch Antilles, born in Curaçao
- Aug 24 Ray McLoughlin, Irish rugby union prop (40 caps Ireland, 3 British & Irish Lions; London Irish RFC), born in Ballinasloe, Ireland (d. 2021)
- Aug 25 John Badham, English-born American director (Dracula, Short Circuit), born in Luton, England
- Aug 25 Liselot Beekmeyer, Dutch actress (Issue Blum), born in Schiedam, Netherlands
- Aug 26 Fred Milano, American doo-wop singer (Dion & The Belmonts), born in The Bronx, New York (d. 2012)
Jorge Paulo Lemann (84 years old)
Aug 26 Swiss-Brazilian investor, born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Aug 27 Edward Patten, American soul singer (Gladys Knight & the Pips), born in Atlanta, Georgia (d. 2005)
- Aug 28 Clem Cattini, British rock drummer (The Tornados), born in Stoke Newington, North London, England
- Aug 28 [Catherine] Cassie Mackin, American newswoman (NBC TV) and 1st woman to regularly anchor an evening network newscast alone, born in Baltimore, Maryland (d. 1982)
- Aug 29 Joel Schumacher, American film director (Lost Boys, Batman), born in New York City (d. 2020)
- Aug 30 Elizabeth Ashley, American actress (Coma, Evening Shade), born in Ocala, Florida
- Aug 30 John Peel, English DJ and Broadcaster (BBC Radio 1), born in Heswell, Merseyside (d. 2004)
- Aug 31 Jerry Allison, American rock drummer and songwriter (Buddy Holly & Crickets - "That'll Be The Day"; "Peggy Sue"), born in Hillsboro, Texas (d. 2022)
- Aug 31 Jim McCrary, American photographer and album cover artist (Tapestry: Ticket to Ride), born in Los Angeles (d. 2012)
- Aug 31 Paul Winter, American new age music saxophonist, composer, and bandleader (The Paul Winter Consort), born in Altoona, Pennsylvania
Famous Weddings
Marshall McLuhan
Aug 4 Philosopher of communication theory Marshall McLuhan (28) weds teacher and aspiring actress Corinne Lewis (27)
Janet Gaynor
Aug 14 "A Star Is Born" actress Janet Gaynor (32) weds MGM costume designer Adrian (36)
Joan Fontaine
Aug 20 "Rebecca" actress Joan Fontaine (21) weds actor Brian Aherne (37); divorce in 1945
Famous Deaths
- Aug 2 Harvey Spencer Lewis, American Rosicrucian author and mystic, dies at 55
- Aug 3 August Enna, Danish opera composer (The Witch; Kleopatra), dies at 80
- Aug 11 Jean Bugatti, Italian automobile designer (b. 1909)
- Aug 16 Ron Oxenham, cricketer (7 Tests for Australia, 14 wickets), dies
- Aug 19 Johannes Marinus Meulenhoff, Dutch publisher, dies at 70
- Aug 23 Sidney Coe Howard, American playwright (Silver Cord, Pulitzer 1925), dies at 48
- Aug 24 William Moule, Australian lawyer, politician and cricketer (Australia v England 1880), dies at 81
- Aug 25 (Charles) "Babe" Siebert, Canadian NHL ice hockey player, 1925-39, 3X All-Star (Montreal Maroons, Boston Bruins, and 2 other teams), drowns in Lake Huron at 35
