August 1, 1879 – Mary Eliza Mahoney graduated from the New England Hospital for Women and Children, becoming the first black professional nurse in America.
August 2, 1924 – James Baldwin, author of Go Tell It On The Mountain, The Fire Next Time, and Another Country, was born.
August 3, 1800 – Gabriel Prosser led slave revolt in Richmond, VA.
August 4, 1810 – Abolitionist Robert Purvis was born.
August 5, 1962 – Nelson Mandela, South African freedom fighter, is imprisoned. He was not released until 1990.
August 6, 1867 – Actor Ira Aldridge died and was buried in Lodz, Poland.
August 7, 1894 – Joseph Lee patented the kneading machine.
