August 17, 1978 – The first transatlantic balloon trip was completed. Americans Max Anderson, Ben Abruzzo, and Larry Newman had departed from Maine 137 hours earlier in “Double Eagle II” and landed about 60 miles west of Paris.
August 18, 1872 – Aaron Montgomery Ward issues the first catalog for his mail-order business; it is one sheet listing 163 available items.
August 19, 1920 – The 19th Amendment to the U. S. Constitution is ratified giving women the right to vote.
August 21, 1959 – President Dwight Eisenhower signs a proclamation admitting Hawaii as the 50th State of the Union.