Birthdays
William Barksdale
Turns 39 on this date
Richard Hughlett Bryan
Turns 40 on this date
Thomas Garrett
Turns 71 on this date
James Holmes
Turns 59 on this date
Fitz John Porter
Turns 38 on this date
Events
| Education/Culture | In Boston, the American Institute of Instruction holds its 31st annual meeting |
08/21/1860 to 08/23/1860 |
| US/the World | In China, British and French troops capture the Taku Forts and open an advance on Beijing | 08/21/1860 |
| US/the World | In Honduras, the British Royal Navy orders American filibuster William Walker to leave Trujillo | 08/21/1860 |
| US/the World | Now fighting on the Italian mainland, Garibaldi and his men capture Reggio | 08/21/1860 |
| US/the World | The Prince of Wales visits Quebec |
08/18/1860 to 08/22/1860 |
Documents
| Newspaper | Milwaukee (WI) Sentinel, "Not Going to Dissolve the Union," August 21, 1860 | 08/21/1860 |
| Newspaper | New York Times, “Mr. Yancey's Speech,” August 21, 1860 | 08/21/1860 |