Birthdays
Jefferson Buford
Turns 53 on this date
James Henry Burton
Turns 37 on this date
David Sterrett Gittings
Turns 63 on this date
Charlotte Forten Grimké
Turns 23 on this date
John Fletcher Hurst
Turns 26 on this date
Henry Hayes Lockwood
Turns 46 on this date
Events
| Campaigns/Elections | Illinois Constitutional Union supporters hold their state convention in Decatur | 08/17/1860 |
| Crime/Disasters | Massive fire on the London Docks burns for two days causing a million dollars in damage |
08/17/1860 to 08/18/1860 |
| Campaigns/Elections | Nebraska Democrats hold their territorial convention at Omaha | 08/17/1860 |
Documents
| Newspaper | Chicago (IL) Press and Tribune, “How the Field Looks,” August 17, 1860 | 08/17/1860 |