August 17, 1786 – Frontiersman and politician Davey Crockett is born in Hawkins County, Tennessee. He would die at age 49 during the defense of the Alamo in Texas.
August 18, 1774 – American explorer Meriwether Lewis is born near Charlottesville, Virginia. He would explore the American West as part of the famous expedition with William Clark that reached the Pacific Ocean in 1805.
August 19, 1871 – Aviation pioneer Orville Wright is born in Dayton, Ohio.
August 19, 1946 – 42nd U. S. President Bill Clinton is born in Hope, Arkansas.
August 20, 1833 – 23rd U. S. President Benjamin Harrison is born in North Bend, Ohio (he is the grandson of the 9th President, William Henry Harrison).