- August 4, 0070 The destruction of the Second Temple in Jerusalem by the Romans.
- August 4, 0181 Supernova seen in Cassiopia
- August 4, 1060 “France’s Henri I dies August 4 at age 52 and is succeeded by his son of 8, who will reign until 1108 as Philip I
- August 4, 1265 “Second Barons’ War: Battle of Evesham – The army of Prince Edward (future Edward I of England) defeated the forces of rebellious barons led by Simon de Montfort, 6th Earl of Leicester; killing de Montfort and many of his allies. (This is sometimes considered the end of the age of chivalry in England.)”
- August 4, 1265 “Simon de Montfort English baron, dies in battle”
- August 4, 1526 “Juan Sebasti?n Cano Spanish explorer, dies”
- August 4, 1578 “Battle of Al Kasr al Kebir – Moroccans defeat Portuguese. King Sebastian of Portugal is defeated and killed in North Africa, leaving his elderly uncle, Cardinal Henry, as his heir. This initiates a succession crisis in Portugal.”
- August 4, 1578 “Battle of Alcazarquivir, Morrocans defeat Portugeese”
- August 4, 1693 Date traditionally ascribed to Dom Perignon’s invention of Champagne.
- August 4, 1693 Dom Perignon invents champagne
- August 4, 1735 Jury acquits John Zenger (NY Weekly Journal) charged with seditious libel by royal governor of NY (victory for Freedom of press)
- August 4, 1753 George Washington becomes a Master Mason
- August 4, 1777 Retired British cavalry officer Philip Astley establishes first circus
- August 4, 1789 In France members of the National Constituent Assembly take an oath to end feudalism and abandon their privileges.
- August 4, 1790 A newly passed tariff act creates the Revenue Cutter Service (the forerunner of the United States Coast Guard).
- August 4, 1790 US Coast Guard founded as Revenue Cutter Service
- August 4, 1821 Atkinson & Alexander publish the Saturday Evening Post for the first time as a weekly newspaper.
- August 4, 1824 Battle of Kos fought between Turks and Greeks.
- August 4, 1830 Plans for the city of Chicago laid out
- August 4, 1854 The Hinomaru is established as the official flag to be flown from Japanese ships.
- August 4, 1858 First trans-Atlantic cable completed
- August 4, 1864 “Land & naval action new Brazos Santiago, Texas”
- August 4, 1873 “Indian Wars: Whilst protecting a railroad survey party in Montana, the United States 7th Cavalry, under Lieutenant Colonel George Armstrong Custer, clash for the first time with the Sioux (near the Tongue River; only one man on each side is killed).”
- August 4, 1881 “122? F (50? C), Seville, Spain (European record)”
- August 4, 1891 George Washington Williams dies at 41 in Blackpool England
- August 4, 1892 “Sunday school teacher Lizzie Borden and axe murderess arrested in Fall River, Mass”
- August 4, 1892 “The family of Lizzie Borden is found murdered in their Fall River, Massachusetts home.”
- August 4, 1902 Greenwich foot tunnel under the River Thames opens.
- August 4, 1906 “Central Railway Station, Sydney opens.”