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American Missy Franklin swims a world record 2:04.06 to win the 200 m backstroke gold medal at the London Olympics

Melissa Franklin Johnson is an American former competitive swimmer and five-time Olympic gold medalist. She held the world record in the 200-meter backstroke (long course) from 2012 to 2019.

Melissa Franklin Johnson is an American former competitive swimmer and five-time Olympic gold medalist. She held the world record in the 200-meter backstroke (long course) from 2012 to 2019. As a member of the U.S. national swim team, she also held the world records in the 4×100-meter medley relay (short course and long course).

In her Olympic debut at the 2012 Summer Olympics at age 17, Franklin won a total of five medals, four of which were gold. She swept the women's backstroke events, winning gold in both the 100-meter and 200-meter backstroke. Franklin's successes earned her Swimming World's World Swimmer of the Year and the American Swimmer of the Year award in 2012 as well as the FINA Swimmer of the Year Award in 2011 and 2012.

Historical Significance

Melissa Franklin Johnson is an American former competitive swimmer and five-time Olympic gold medalist.

Events Before

  1. Tunisian President Ben Ali flees to Saudi Arabia after popular protests known as the Jasmine Revolution

    The Tunisian revolution, also called the Jasmine Revolution and Tunisian Revolution of Dignity, was an intensive 28-day campaign of civil resistance.

  2. Actress Jaime Pressly (35) divorces entertainment lawyer Simran Singh (33) due to irreconcilable differences after more

    Actress Jaime Pressly (35) divorces entertainment lawyer Simran Singh (33) due to irreconcilable differences after more than 1 year of marriage

  3. "21" second studio album by Adele is released (Grammy Award for Album of the Year 2012, Brit Award for British Album of

    "21" second studio album by Adele is released (Grammy Award for Album of the Year 2012, Brit Award for British Album of the Year, 2011 Billboard Album of the Year)

  4. Egyptian Revolution of 2011 begins with a series of street demonstrations, rallies, acts of civil disobedience, labor st

    Egyptian Revolution of 2011 begins with a series of street demonstrations, rallies, acts of civil disobedience, labor strikes and violent clashes in Cairo, Alexandria and other major cities

  5. "Desperate Housewives" actress Eva Longoria (36) divorces NBA player Tony Parker (29) due to irreconcilable differences

    "Desperate Housewives" actress Eva Longoria (36) divorces NBA player Tony Parker (29) due to irreconcilable differences 3 years after a storybook wedding

Events After

  1. 10 people are killed, and 120 are injured in a stampede in Luanda, Angola

    10 people are killed, and 120 are injured in a stampede in Luanda, Angola

  2. Calcium deposits are discovered on Mars by NASA's Curiosity rover

    Curiosity is a Mars rover that is exploring Gale crater and Mount Sharp on Mars as part of NASA's Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) mission.

  3. Lance Armstrong admits to doping in all seven of his Tour de France victories

    Lance Edward Armstrong (né Gunderson; born September 18, 1971) is an American former professional road racing cyclist.

  4. Pope Benedict XVI announces his resignation effective February 28, becoming the first pope to resign since 1415

    The resignation of Pope Benedict XVI took effect on 28 February 2013 at 20:00 Roman-Vatican Time, following Benedict XVI's announcement of the same on 11 February.

  5. North Korea allegedly conducts its third nuclear test, claiming it is a nuclear device that can be weaponized

    North Korea allegedly conducts its third nuclear test, claiming it is a nuclear device that can be weaponized

More from the 2010s

New FINA rules re competition swimsuits come into effect; all body-length swimsuits banned; men's suits to maximally cov

New FINA rules re competition swimsuits come into effect; all body-length swimsuits banned; men's suits to maximally cover from the waist to knee, and women's from shoulder to knee; fabric must be a "textile" or woven material

10 people are killed, and 120 are injured in a stampede in Luanda, Angola

10 people are killed, and 120 are injured in a stampede in Luanda, Angola

Dutchman Michael van Gerwen wins his first PDC World Darts Championship, defeating Peter Wright of Scotland 7-4; it is t

Dutchman Michael van Gerwen wins his first PDC World Darts Championship, defeating Peter Wright of Scotland 7-4; it is the first time no Englishman has been in the final

Lithuania adopts the euro as its currency, replacing the Litas and becoming the 19th member of the Eurozone

Lithuania adopts the euro as its currency, replacing the Litas and becoming the 19th member of the Eurozone

Frequently Asked Questions

What happened on August 3, 2012?
Melissa Franklin Johnson is an American former competitive swimmer and five-time Olympic gold medalist. She held the world record in the 200-meter backstroke (long course) from 2012 to 2019. As a member of the U.S.
Why is American Missy Franklin swims a world record 2:04.06 to win the 200 m backstr... significant?
Melissa Franklin Johnson is an American former competitive swimmer and five-time Olympic gold medalist.

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August 3 in HistoryYear 2012