Gabon gains independence from France – 17 August 1960
Luc Montagnier, virologist who discovered HIV, is born – 18 August 1932
The Chinese Community in South Africa is granted ‘White’ status – 19 August 1970
The UDF is launched - 20 August 1983
Nat Turner leads a slave insurrection in Southampton, Virginia, USA – 21 August 1831
British create the settlement of Sierra Leone, Africa, for freed slaves – 22 August 1788
Sir Thomas Cullinan (Cullinan diamond) dies at age 74 – 23 August 1936
August 19, 2008
This Week in History