What Happened on August 12

A complete timeline of historical events, famous births, notable deaths, and holidays that occurred on August 12 throughout history.

101

Events

Births

Deaths

Historical Events on August 12

1121

Battle of Didgori: Georgian army under King David the Builder wins a decisive victory over the renowned Seljuk commander

Battle of Didgori: Georgian army under King David the Builder wins a decisive victory over the renowned Seljuk commander Ilghazi

1480

Ottoman troops conquer Otranto in southern Italy after a 15-day siege, killing 12,000, enslaving 5,000, and beheading 80

Ottoman troops conquer Otranto in southern Italy after a 15-day siege, killing 12,000, enslaving 5,000, and beheading 800 Christians for refusing to convert to Islam

1851

American inventor Isaac Singer patents his famous sewing machine

Singer Corporation is an American manufacturer of consumer sewing machines, first established as I. M. Singer & Co. in 1851 by Isaac M. Singer with New York lawyer Edward C. Clark.

1908

Ford Motor Company builds its first Model T car, which Henry Ford himself tests on a hunting trip to Wisconsin and north

Ford Motor Company builds its first Model T car, which Henry Ford himself tests on a hunting trip to Wisconsin and northern Michigan [1]

1981

Don Estridge unveils the company's first personal computer, the IBM PC, at New York’s Waldorf Astoria Hotel, priced at $

Don Estridge unveils the company's first personal computer, the IBM PC, at New York’s Waldorf Astoria Hotel, priced at $1,565 with 16 kilobytes of RAM, helping bring computing to the masses [1]

1927

Silent film "Wings," starring Clara Bow and directed by William A. Wellman, premieres in NY as the first film and one of

Silent film "Wings," starring Clara Bow and directed by William A. Wellman, premieres in NY as the first film and one of only two silent films to win an Academy Award for Best Picture

1991

Heavy metal band Metallica releases its fifth album, "Metallica," which debuts at #1 on the Billboard 200 chart

Metallica is an American heavy metal band. It was formed in Los Angeles in 1981 by vocalist/guitarist James Hetfield and drummer Lars Ulrich, and has been based in San Francisco for most of its...

1964

Mickey Mantle switch-hits a home run for the record 10th and final time in a game, with one going 502 feet

1806

American rock singer-songwriter John Mellencamp (59) divorces model Elaine Irwin (41) after 18 years of marriage

John J. Mellencamp, previously known as Johnny Cougar, John Cougar, and John Cougar Mellencamp, is an American singer-songwriter.

3 Conjunction of Venus and Jupiter on August 12, 3 BC, a popular theory for the biblical "Star of Bethlehem"

The date of the birth of Jesus is not stated in the gospels or in any historical sources and the evidence is too incomplete to allow for consistent dating.

1099

The Battle of Ascalon is won by the Crusader army led by Godfrey of Bouillon against the Fatimid forces and is the last

The Battle of Ascalon is won by the Crusader army led by Godfrey of Bouillon against the Fatimid forces and is the last action of the First Crusade

1164

Battle of Harim: Nur ad-Din defeats the Crusader armies of the County of Tripoli and the Principality of Antioch

Bohemond III of Antioch, also known as Bohemond the Child or the Stammerer (French: Bohémond le Bambe/le Baube; c. 1148–1201), was Prince of Antioch from 1163 to 1201.

1323

Treaty of Nöteborg between Sweden and Novgorod (Russia) regulates the border for the first time

The Treaty of Nöteborg, also known as the Treaty of Oreshek or the Treaty of Pähkinäsaari, was the peace treaty signed at Oreshek Fortress (Swedish: Nöteborg; Finnish: Pähkinälinna) on 12 August...

1332

Battle of Dupplin Moor: Scottish dynastic conflict

The Wars of Scottish Independence were a series of military campaigns in the late 13th and 14th centuries in order to protect the independence and sovereignty of the Kingdom of Scotland which had...

1499

First engagement of the Battle of Zonchio between Venetian and Ottoman fleets

1549

French troops conquer Ambleteuse in Pas-de-Calais and kill all the English prisoners

1588

Commander of the English fleet, Lord Howard of Effingham, calls off the chase of the Spanish Armada off the coast of Sco

Commander of the English fleet, Lord Howard of Effingham, calls off the chase of the Spanish Armada off the coast of Scotland

1658

First American police force forms in New Amsterdam

1676

First war between American colonists and Indigenous peoples ends in New England

King Philip's War (sometimes called the First Indian War, Metacom's War, Pometacomet's Rebellion, or Metacom's Rebellion) was an armed conflict in 1675–1678 that pitted a group of Indigenous peoples...

1687

Battle of Mohács: Ottoman invaders of Hungary are routed by forces of the Holy Roman Emperor under Charles of Lorraine

1759

Battle of Kunersdorf: Russian-Austrian army overpowers Prussians

1793

The Rhône department is created when the former department of Rhône-et-Loire is split into two: Rhône and Loire

Rhône is a French department located in the east-central administrative region of Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes. Named after the river Rhône, its prefecture is Lyon.

1831

Dutch troops conquer Louvain, Belgium

Belgium, officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a country in Northwestern Europe. Situated in a coastal lowland region known as the Low Countries, it is bordered by the Netherlands to the north,...

1833

Chicago incorporates as a village, with a population of about 350 people

1856

Anthony Faas of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is granted a second patent for improvements to the accordion (Patent No. 155

Anthony Faas of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is granted a second patent for improvements to the accordion (Patent No. 15511A)

1861

In a skirmish in Texas, Apache Indians attack rebels

1863

First cargo of lumber leaves Burrard Inlet, Vancouver, BC

1869

Self-proclaimed Emperor Joshua Abraham Norton of the USA issues an edict abolishing the Democratic and Republican partie

Self-proclaimed Emperor Joshua Abraham Norton of the USA issues an edict abolishing the Democratic and Republican parties

1876

Madeline (US) defeats Countess of Dufferin (Canada) in the fourth America's Cup

1879

First National Archery Association tournament in Chicago

1882

Yiddish theater opens in New York City with Abraham Goldfaden's operetta "Di Kishefmakhern" (The Sorceress)

1883

The last quagga (a zebra subspecies with fewer stripes) dies at Artis Magistra Zoo in Amsterdam

1884

Bill Murdoch scores the first Test cricket double century, 211, at The Oval

William Lloyd Murdoch (18 October 1854 – 18 February 1911) was an Australian cricketer who captained the Australian national side in 16 Test matches between 1880 and 1890.

1896

Willem II soccer team forms in Tilburg, Kingdom of the Netherlands

1898

Hawaii is formally annexed to US

The Republic of Hawaii was a short-lived one-party state in Hawaiʻi between July 4, 1894, when the Provisional Government of Hawaii had ended, and August 12, 1898, when it became annexed by the...

1901

Boer General Kritzinger is driven out of Cape Colony

Pieter Hendrik Kritzinger (20 April 1870 – 2 October 1935) was a Boer general and Assistant Commandant of the Forces of the Orange Free State and Commander-in-Chief of the Boer Rebel Forces in the...

1903

Japanese Minister to Russia presents a note to the Russian government protesting its failure to evacuate Manchuria

1914

Cavalry battle in Halen, Belgium ("Battle of the Silver Helmets")

The Battle of Halen (German: Gefecht bei Halen), also known as the Battle of the Silver Helmets (Dutch: Slag der Zilveren Helmen; French: Bataille des casques d'argent) because of the many cavalry...

1915

"Of Human Bondage" by William Somerset Maugham is published

William Somerset Maugham ( MAWM; 25 January 1874 – 16 December 1965) was an English writer, known for his plays, novels and short stories.

1918

WWI: Allies defeat Germans at the Battle of Amiens, the last great battle on the Western Front

1920

Battle of Warsaw between Poland and Russia begins

The Battle of Warsaw (Polish: Bitwa Warszawska; Russian: Варшавская битва, Varshavskaya bitva), also known as the Miracle on the Vistula (Polish: Cud nad Wisłą), was a series of battles that resulted...

1923

Dutch AR leader Colijn replaces De Geer as Minister of Finance

1925

KMA-AM in Shenandoah, IA, begins radio transmissions

1928

IX Summer Olympic Games close at Olympisch Stadion in Amsterdam, Netherlands

The 1928 Summer Olympics (Dutch: Olympische Zomerspelen 1928), officially the Games of the IX Olympiad (Dutch: Spelen van de IXe Olympiade), was an international multi-sport event that was celebrated...

1931

Yangtze River floods after heavy rain crumbles dikes in China

1933

Cuban dictator Machado y Morales flees following a military coup

1936

°F (49°C) in Seymour, Texas (state record)

Seymour is a city in and the county seat of Baylor County, Texas, United States. Its population was 2,575 as of the 2020 Census.

1939

Sabotage is suspected in the City of San Francisco train crash, which derails near Harney, Nevada, killing 24

1940

Luftwaffe bombs British radar stations and loses 31 aircraft

1943

Alleged date of the first Philadelphia Experiment test on United States Navy ship USS Eldridge

The Philadelphia Experiment was an alleged event claimed to have been witnessed by an ex-merchant mariner named Carl M.

1944

Pipeline under the ocean (Pluto) begins operating

1948

Cleveland Indians get 29 hits in a 9-inning game

The Cleveland Guardians are an American professional baseball team based in Cleveland.

1949

16th NFL Chicago All-Star Game: Philadelphia 38, All-Stars 0 (93,780 attendees)

1950

First international game by an NFL team, New York Giants beat CFL's Ottawa Rough Riders 20-6 at Ottawa's Lansdowne Stadi

First international game by an NFL team, New York Giants beat CFL's Ottawa Rough Riders 20-6 at Ottawa's Lansdowne Stadium

1953

A 6.8 earthquake strikes the Ionian Islands, killing between 445 and 800 people

1954

Washington Senators' Eddie Yost draws his 100th walk for the fifth consecutive year

1955

22nd NFL Chicago All-Star Game: All-Stars 30, Cleveland 27 (75,000 attendees)

1956

KOTI TV channel 2 in Klamath Falls, OR (NBC/CBS) begins broadcasting

1958

Art Kane photographs a group portrait of 57 leading jazz musicians assembled in front of a brownstone on 126th Street in

Art Kane photographs a group portrait of 57 leading jazz musicians assembled in front of a brownstone on 126th Street in NYC for Esquire magazine; originally titled "Harlem, 1958," it appears as the centerfold of Esquire's January 1959 issue celebrating the "Golden Age of Jazz" [1]

1959

First ship firing of a Polaris missile from Observation Island

USNS Observation Island (T-AGM-23) was built as the Mariner-class merchant ship Empire State Mariner for the United States Maritime Commission, launched 15 August 1953, and operated by United States...

1960

27th NFL Chicago All-Star Game: Baltimore 32, All-Stars 7 (70,000 attendees)

1962

Russia launches Vostok 4 with Pavel Popovich, who lands safely on August 15

1963

Portuguese dictator Salazar is firm on African colonization

1965

Dame Elizabeth Lane becomes the first female English High Court judge

Dame Elizabeth Kathleen Lane, DBE was an English barrister and judge. She was the first woman appointed as a judge in the County Court, the first female High Court judge in England, and the first...

1966

Longview, Texas, radio station KLUE holds a "Beatles Bonfire" to burn Beatles records and memorabilia; the station is st

Longview, Texas, radio station KLUE holds a "Beatles Bonfire" to burn Beatles records and memorabilia; the station is struck by lightning the following day

1967

New Orleans Saints' first pre-season victory, beating St. Louis 23-14

The New Orleans Saints are a professional American football team based in New Orleans.

1969

Battle of the Bogside: RUC officers, backed by loyalists, enter the nationalist Bogside in armored cars and try to suppr

Battle of the Bogside: RUC officers, backed by loyalists, enter the nationalist Bogside in armored cars and try to suppress the riot by using CS gas, water cannon, and eventually firearms; the almost continuous rioting lasts for two days

1972

Last American combat ground troops leave Vietnam

The involvement of the United States in the Vietnam War began in the 1950s and greatly escalated in 1965 until its withdrawal in 1973. The U.S.

1973

Betty Morris wins WPBA National Championship

1976

Christian militia conquers the Palestinian camp of Tel al-Zaatar, killing 2,000 people

1977

For the second consecutive day, Oakland's Manny Sanguillen foils a no-hit bid

1978

China and Japan sign a peace treaty

The Treaty of Peace and Friendship between Japan and the People's Republic of China is a peace treaty concluded between the People's Republic of China and Japan on August 12, 1978.

1979

Iranian press censors start massive book burnings

1980

Nicaragua celebrates the end of its National Literacy Crusade, a massive effort over five months that reduces illiteracy

Nicaragua celebrates the end of its National Literacy Crusade, a massive effort over five months that reduces illiteracy from 50% to 12%

1981

American swimmer Jon Erikson becomes the first to complete a three-way crossing of the English Channel in 38 hours and 2

American swimmer Jon Erikson becomes the first to complete a three-way crossing of the English Channel in 38 hours and 27 minutes [1]

1984

Braves beat Padres 5-3, featuring 2 brawls and 19 ejections

The 1984 San Diego Padres season was the 16th season in franchise history. San Diego won the National League (NL) championship and advanced to the World Series, which they lost to the Detroit Tigers...

1985

people die when Japan Airlines Flight 123 crashes in Ueno, Japan, the second-deadliest aviation disaster of all time

Japan Air Lines Flight 123 was a scheduled domestic passenger flight from Tokyo to Osaka, Japan.

1986

Boston Red Sox outfielder Don Baylor gets hit by a pitch for a record 25th time in a season

1987

Charles Cole climbs the 870-foot Tyrolean Traverse from the top of Elephant Rock

1988

Boston Red Sox beat Tigers 9-4 for an AL record 23rd consecutive win at home

1990

12th Annual Macy's Tap-o-mania

1991

Creditors vote to support Greyhound Bus reorganization plan

1992

Canada, Mexico, and the United States announce completion of negotiations for the North American Free Trade Agreement (N

Canada, Mexico, and the United States announce completion of negotiations for the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA)

1994

First NFL game on Fox Network (exhibition - SF vs. Denver)

1996

"Breakfast on Fox" premieres

2000

The Oscar class submarine K-141 Kursk of the Russian Navy explodes and sinks in the Barents Sea during a military exerci

The Oscar class submarine K-141 Kursk of the Russian Navy explodes and sinks in the Barents Sea during a military exercise

2005

An F1 tornado strikes Glen Cove, New York, a rare event on Long Island

2007

Bulk carrier M/V New Flame collides with oil tanker Torm Gertrud at the southernmost tip of Gibraltar and ends up partia

Bulk carrier M/V New Flame collides with oil tanker Torm Gertrud at the southernmost tip of Gibraltar and ends up partially submerged

2012

XXX Summer Olympic Games close at Olympic Stadium at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, London, England

The 2012 Summer Olympic development process began in 2005, following the successful London bid for the 2012 Summer Olympics, and ran until the games in 2012.

2013

Eight people are killed and 25 are injured in a suicide bomb attack in Balad, Iraq

Estimates of the casualties from the Iraq War (beginning with the 2003 invasion of Iraq, and the ensuing occupation and insurgency and civil war) have come in several forms, and those estimates of...

2014

Ebola outbreak death toll exceeds 1000

An Ebola virus epidemic in Sierra Leone occurred in 2014, along with the neighbouring countries of Guinea and Liberia.

2015

China cuts its currency, the yuan, for the second day in a row to boost exports

2017

"Unite the Right" march in Charlottesville, Virginia turns violent when a car rams protesters, killing one and injuring

"Unite the Right" march in Charlottesville, Virginia turns violent when a car rams protesters, killing one and injuring 19

2018

Mali's presidential run-off election is held, and current President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita eventually wins, with the opp

Mali's presidential run-off election is held, and current President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita eventually wins, with the opposition disputing the outcome

2019

Baltimore Orioles concede 7 home runs in doubleheader defeats against NY Yankees to break the American League single-sea

Baltimore Orioles concede 7 home runs in doubleheader defeats against NY Yankees to break the American League single-season HRs allowed record with 248 and counting

2020

Europe fights a new COVID-19 surge with Germany, France, and Spain posting their largest daily infection totals for thre

Europe fights a new COVID-19 surge with Germany, France, and Spain posting their largest daily infection totals for three months

2021

million Americans across 34 states are under heat advisory warnings from the Pacific Northwest to the Northeast as the s

million Americans across 34 states are under heat advisory warnings from the Pacific Northwest to the Northeast as the summer of intense heat continues in the Northern Hemisphere [1]

2025

Bones of a British polar researcher who died in Antarctica in 1959 are discovered in a melting glacier; he is formally r

Bones of a British polar researcher who died in Antarctica in 1959 are discovered in a melting glacier; he is formally recognized as Dennis Bell [1]

Famous Births on August 12

1503birth

Christian III is born

1904birth

Alexei Nikolaevich is born

Alexei Nikolaevich, Russian heir to the russian throne, known for heir to the russian throne, was born on 1904-08-12. Alexei Nikolaevich was the last Russian tsesarevich (heir apparent).

1918birth

Guy Gibson is born

Guy Gibson recipient of the victoria cross, known for recipient of the victoria cross, was born on 1918-08-12.

1931birth

George Soros is born

George Soros, American hungarian-american investor and philanthropist, known for hungarian-american investor and philanthropist, was born on 1931-08-12.

1955birth

François Hollande is born

1910birth

Jane Wyatt is born

Jane Wyatt, American actress, known for american actress, was born on 1910-08-12. Jane Waddington Wyatt ( WY-ət; August 12, 1910 – October 20, 2006) was an American actress.

1911birth

Cantinflas is born

Cantinflas, Mexican actor and filmmaker, known for mexican actor and filmmaker, was born on 1911-08-12.

1976birth

Casey Affleck is born

Casey Affleck, American actor, known for american actor, was born on 1976-08-12. Casey Affleck is an American actor.

1880birth

Christy Mathewson is born

Christy Mathewson, American athlete, known for american baseball player, was born on 1880-08-12.

1906birth

Harry Hopman is born

Harry Hopman, Australian athlete, known for australian tennis player, was born on 1906-08-12. Henry Christian Hopman CBE (12 August 1906 – 27 December 1985) was an Australian tennis player and coach..

1972birth

Pete Sampras is born

Pete Sampras, American athlete, known for american former tennis player, was born on 1972-08-12. Pete Sampras is an American former professional tennis player.

1978birth

Iva Majoli is born

Iva Majoli, Croatian athlete, known for croatian tennis player, was born on 1978-08-12. Iva Majoli is a Croatian former professional tennis player who competed for both Yugoslavia and Croatia.

1989birth

Tyson Fury is born

Tyson Fury, British athlete, known for british boxer, was born on 1989-08-12. Tyson Luke Fury is a British professional boxer.

Notable Deaths on August 12

1827death

William Blake dies

William Blake, English poet and artist, known for english poet and artist, died on 1827-08-12. William Blake (28 November 1757 – 12 August 1827) was an English poet, painter and printmaker.

1973death

Karl Ziegler dies

Karl Ziegler, German chemist, known for german chemist, died on 1973-08-12. Karl Waldemar Ziegler was a German chemist who won the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1963, with Giulio Natta, for work on…

Frequently Asked Questions

What happened on August 12, 1121?: Battle of Didgori: Georgian army under King David the Builder wins a decisive victory over the renowned Seljuk commander Ilghazi
What happened on August 12, 1480?: Ottoman troops conquer Otranto in southern Italy after a 15-day siege, killing 12,000, enslaving 5,000, and beheading 800 Christians for refusing to convert to Islam
What happened on August 12, 1851?: Singer Corporation is an American manufacturer of consumer sewing machines, first established as I. M. Singer & Co. in 1851 by Isaac M. Singer with New York lawyer Edward C. Clark.
What happened on August 12, 1908?: Ford Motor Company builds its first Model T car, which Henry Ford himself tests on a hunting trip to Wisconsin and northern Michigan [1]
What happened on August 12, 1981?: Don Estridge unveils the company's first personal computer, the IBM PC, at New York’s Waldorf Astoria Hotel, priced at $1,565 with 16 kilobytes of RAM, helping bring computing to the masses [1]

Complete Timeline — August 12 Through the Ages

3
3 Conjunction of Venus and Jupiter on August 12, 3 BC, a popular theory for the biblical "Star of Bethlehem"
The date of the birth of Jesus is not stated in the gospels or in any historical sources and the evidence is too incomplete to allow for consistent dating.
1099
The Battle of Ascalon is won by the Crusader army led by Godfrey of Bouillon against the Fatimid forces and is the last
The Battle of Ascalon is won by the Crusader army led by Godfrey of Bouillon against the Fatimid forces and is the last action of the First Crusade
1121
Battle of Didgori: Georgian army under King David the Builder wins a decisive victory over the renowned Seljuk commander
Battle of Didgori: Georgian army under King David the Builder wins a decisive victory over the renowned Seljuk commander Ilghazi
1164
Battle of Harim: Nur ad-Din defeats the Crusader armies of the County of Tripoli and the Principality of Antioch
Bohemond III of Antioch, also known as Bohemond the Child or the Stammerer (French: Bohémond le Bambe/le Baube; c. 1148–1201), was Prince of Antioch from 1163 to 1201.
1323
Treaty of Nöteborg between Sweden and Novgorod (Russia) regulates the border for the first time
The Treaty of Nöteborg, also known as the Treaty of Oreshek or the Treaty of Pähkinäsaari, was the peace treaty signed at Oreshek Fortress (Swedish: Nöteborg; Finnish: Pähkinälinna) on 12 August...
1332
Battle of Dupplin Moor: Scottish dynastic conflict
The Wars of Scottish Independence were a series of military campaigns in the late 13th and 14th centuries in order to protect the independence and sovereignty of the Kingdom of Scotland which had...
1480
Ottoman troops conquer Otranto in southern Italy after a 15-day siege, killing 12,000, enslaving 5,000, and beheading 80
Ottoman troops conquer Otranto in southern Italy after a 15-day siege, killing 12,000, enslaving 5,000, and beheading 800 Christians for refusing to convert to Islam
1499
First engagement of the Battle of Zonchio between Venetian and Ottoman fleets
First engagement of the Battle of Zonchio between Venetian and Ottoman fleets
1503
Christian III is born
Christian III is born
1549
French troops conquer Ambleteuse in Pas-de-Calais and kill all the English prisoners
French troops conquer Ambleteuse in Pas-de-Calais and kill all the English prisoners
1588
Commander of the English fleet, Lord Howard of Effingham, calls off the chase of the Spanish Armada off the coast of Sco
Commander of the English fleet, Lord Howard of Effingham, calls off the chase of the Spanish Armada off the coast of Scotland
1658
First American police force forms in New Amsterdam
First American police force forms in New Amsterdam
1676
First war between American colonists and Indigenous peoples ends in New England
King Philip's War (sometimes called the First Indian War, Metacom's War, Pometacomet's Rebellion, or Metacom's Rebellion) was an armed conflict in 1675–1678 that pitted a group of Indigenous peoples...
1687
Battle of Mohács: Ottoman invaders of Hungary are routed by forces of the Holy Roman Emperor under Charles of Lorraine
Battle of Mohács: Ottoman invaders of Hungary are routed by forces of the Holy Roman Emperor under Charles of Lorraine
1759
Battle of Kunersdorf: Russian-Austrian army overpowers Prussians
Battle of Kunersdorf: Russian-Austrian army overpowers Prussians
1793
The Rhône department is created when the former department of Rhône-et-Loire is split into two: Rhône and Loire
Rhône is a French department located in the east-central administrative region of Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes. Named after the river Rhône, its prefecture is Lyon.
1806
Frontiersman Davy Crockett (20) weds Polly Finley in Tennessee
Frontiersman Davy Crockett (20) weds Polly Finley in Tennessee
1827
William Blake dies
William Blake, English poet and artist, known for english poet and artist, died on 1827-08-12. William Blake (28 November 1757 – 12 August 1827) was an English poet, painter and printmaker.
1831
Dutch troops conquer Louvain, Belgium
Belgium, officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a country in Northwestern Europe. Situated in a coastal lowland region known as the Low Countries, it is bordered by the Netherlands to the north,...
1833
Chicago incorporates as a village, with a population of about 350 people
Chicago incorporates as a village, with a population of about 350 people
1851
American inventor Isaac Singer patents his famous sewing machine
Singer Corporation is an American manufacturer of consumer sewing machines, first established as I. M. Singer & Co. in 1851 by Isaac M. Singer with New York lawyer Edward C. Clark.
1856
Anthony Faas of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is granted a second patent for improvements to the accordion (Patent No. 155
Anthony Faas of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is granted a second patent for improvements to the accordion (Patent No. 15511A)
1861
In a skirmish in Texas, Apache Indians attack rebels
In a skirmish in Texas, Apache Indians attack rebels
1863
First cargo of lumber leaves Burrard Inlet, Vancouver, BC
First cargo of lumber leaves Burrard Inlet, Vancouver, BC
1869
Self-proclaimed Emperor Joshua Abraham Norton of the USA issues an edict abolishing the Democratic and Republican partie
Self-proclaimed Emperor Joshua Abraham Norton of the USA issues an edict abolishing the Democratic and Republican parties
1876
Madeline (US) defeats Countess of Dufferin (Canada) in the fourth America's Cup
Madeline (US) defeats Countess of Dufferin (Canada) in the fourth America's Cup
1879
First National Archery Association tournament in Chicago
First National Archery Association tournament in Chicago
1880
Christy Mathewson is born
Christy Mathewson, American athlete, known for american baseball player, was born on 1880-08-12.
1882
Yiddish theater opens in New York City with Abraham Goldfaden's operetta "Di Kishefmakhern" (The Sorceress)
Yiddish theater opens in New York City with Abraham Goldfaden's operetta "Di Kishefmakhern" (The Sorceress)
1883
The last quagga (a zebra subspecies with fewer stripes) dies at Artis Magistra Zoo in Amsterdam
The last quagga (a zebra subspecies with fewer stripes) dies at Artis Magistra Zoo in Amsterdam
1884
Bill Murdoch scores the first Test cricket double century, 211, at The Oval
William Lloyd Murdoch (18 October 1854 – 18 February 1911) was an Australian cricketer who captained the Australian national side in 16 Test matches between 1880 and 1890.
1896
Willem II soccer team forms in Tilburg, Kingdom of the Netherlands
Willem II soccer team forms in Tilburg, Kingdom of the Netherlands
1898
Hawaii is formally annexed to US
The Republic of Hawaii was a short-lived one-party state in Hawaiʻi between July 4, 1894, when the Provisional Government of Hawaii had ended, and August 12, 1898, when it became annexed by the...
1901
Boer General Kritzinger is driven out of Cape Colony
Pieter Hendrik Kritzinger (20 April 1870 – 2 October 1935) was a Boer general and Assistant Commandant of the Forces of the Orange Free State and Commander-in-Chief of the Boer Rebel Forces in the...
1903
Japanese Minister to Russia presents a note to the Russian government protesting its failure to evacuate Manchuria
Japanese Minister to Russia presents a note to the Russian government protesting its failure to evacuate Manchuria
1904
Alexei Nikolaevich is born
Alexei Nikolaevich, Russian heir to the russian throne, known for heir to the russian throne, was born on 1904-08-12. Alexei Nikolaevich was the last Russian tsesarevich (heir apparent).
1906
Harry Hopman is born
Harry Hopman, Australian athlete, known for australian tennis player, was born on 1906-08-12. Henry Christian Hopman CBE (12 August 1906 – 27 December 1985) was an Australian tennis player and coach..
1908
Ford Motor Company builds its first Model T car, which Henry Ford himself tests on a hunting trip to Wisconsin and north
Ford Motor Company builds its first Model T car, which Henry Ford himself tests on a hunting trip to Wisconsin and northern Michigan [1]
1910
Jane Wyatt is born
Jane Wyatt, American actress, known for american actress, was born on 1910-08-12. Jane Waddington Wyatt ( WY-ət; August 12, 1910 – October 20, 2006) was an American actress.
1911
Cantinflas is born
Cantinflas, Mexican actor and filmmaker, known for mexican actor and filmmaker, was born on 1911-08-12.
1914
Cavalry battle in Halen, Belgium ("Battle of the Silver Helmets")
The Battle of Halen (German: Gefecht bei Halen), also known as the Battle of the Silver Helmets (Dutch: Slag der Zilveren Helmen; French: Bataille des casques d'argent) because of the many cavalry...
1915
"Of Human Bondage" by William Somerset Maugham is published
William Somerset Maugham ( MAWM; 25 January 1874 – 16 December 1965) was an English writer, known for his plays, novels and short stories.
1918
WWI: Allies defeat Germans at the Battle of Amiens, the last great battle on the Western Front
WWI: Allies defeat Germans at the Battle of Amiens, the last great battle on the Western Front
1918
Guy Gibson is born
Guy Gibson recipient of the victoria cross, known for recipient of the victoria cross, was born on 1918-08-12.
1920
Battle of Warsaw between Poland and Russia begins
The Battle of Warsaw (Polish: Bitwa Warszawska; Russian: Варшавская битва, Varshavskaya bitva), also known as the Miracle on the Vistula (Polish: Cud nad Wisłą), was a series of battles that resulted...
1923
Dutch AR leader Colijn replaces De Geer as Minister of Finance
Dutch AR leader Colijn replaces De Geer as Minister of Finance
1925
KMA-AM in Shenandoah, IA, begins radio transmissions
KMA-AM in Shenandoah, IA, begins radio transmissions
1927
Silent film "Wings," starring Clara Bow and directed by William A. Wellman, premieres in NY as the first film and one of
Silent film "Wings," starring Clara Bow and directed by William A. Wellman, premieres in NY as the first film and one of only two silent films to win an Academy Award for Best Picture
1928
IX Summer Olympic Games close at Olympisch Stadion in Amsterdam, Netherlands
The 1928 Summer Olympics (Dutch: Olympische Zomerspelen 1928), officially the Games of the IX Olympiad (Dutch: Spelen van de IXe Olympiade), was an international multi-sport event that was celebrated...
1931
Yangtze River floods after heavy rain crumbles dikes in China
Yangtze River floods after heavy rain crumbles dikes in China
1931
George Soros is born
George Soros, American hungarian-american investor and philanthropist, known for hungarian-american investor and philanthropist, was born on 1931-08-12.
1933
Cuban dictator Machado y Morales flees following a military coup
Cuban dictator Machado y Morales flees following a military coup
1936
°F (49°C) in Seymour, Texas (state record)
Seymour is a city in and the county seat of Baylor County, Texas, United States. Its population was 2,575 as of the 2020 Census.
1939
Sabotage is suspected in the City of San Francisco train crash, which derails near Harney, Nevada, killing 24
Sabotage is suspected in the City of San Francisco train crash, which derails near Harney, Nevada, killing 24
1940
PGA golfer Sam Snead (28) weds high school sweetheart Audrey Karnes
PGA golfer Sam Snead (28) weds high school sweetheart Audrey Karnes
1940
Luftwaffe bombs British radar stations and loses 31 aircraft
Luftwaffe bombs British radar stations and loses 31 aircraft
1941
"I Love Lucy" actress Vivan Vance (32) weds actor Philip Ober (39)
"I Love Lucy" actress Vivan Vance (32) weds actor Philip Ober (39)
1943
Alleged date of the first Philadelphia Experiment test on United States Navy ship USS Eldridge
The Philadelphia Experiment was an alleged event claimed to have been witnessed by an ex-merchant mariner named Carl M.
1944
Pipeline under the ocean (Pluto) begins operating
Pipeline under the ocean (Pluto) begins operating
1948
Cleveland Indians get 29 hits in a 9-inning game
The Cleveland Guardians are an American professional baseball team based in Cleveland.
1949
16th NFL Chicago All-Star Game: Philadelphia 38, All-Stars 0 (93,780 attendees)
16th NFL Chicago All-Star Game: Philadelphia 38, All-Stars 0 (93,780 attendees)
1950
First international game by an NFL team, New York Giants beat CFL's Ottawa Rough Riders 20-6 at Ottawa's Lansdowne Stadi
First international game by an NFL team, New York Giants beat CFL's Ottawa Rough Riders 20-6 at Ottawa's Lansdowne Stadium
1953
A 6.8 earthquake strikes the Ionian Islands, killing between 445 and 800 people
A 6.8 earthquake strikes the Ionian Islands, killing between 445 and 800 people
1954
Washington Senators' Eddie Yost draws his 100th walk for the fifth consecutive year
Washington Senators' Eddie Yost draws his 100th walk for the fifth consecutive year
1955
22nd NFL Chicago All-Star Game: All-Stars 30, Cleveland 27 (75,000 attendees)
22nd NFL Chicago All-Star Game: All-Stars 30, Cleveland 27 (75,000 attendees)
1955
François Hollande is born
François Hollande is born
1956
KOTI TV channel 2 in Klamath Falls, OR (NBC/CBS) begins broadcasting
KOTI TV channel 2 in Klamath Falls, OR (NBC/CBS) begins broadcasting
1958
Art Kane photographs a group portrait of 57 leading jazz musicians assembled in front of a brownstone on 126th Street in
Art Kane photographs a group portrait of 57 leading jazz musicians assembled in front of a brownstone on 126th Street in NYC for Esquire magazine; originally titled "Harlem, 1958," it appears as the centerfold of Esquire's January 1959 issue celebrating the "Golden Age of Jazz" [1]
1959
First ship firing of a Polaris missile from Observation Island
USNS Observation Island (T-AGM-23) was built as the Mariner-class merchant ship Empire State Mariner for the United States Maritime Commission, launched 15 August 1953, and operated by United States...
1960
27th NFL Chicago All-Star Game: Baltimore 32, All-Stars 7 (70,000 attendees)
27th NFL Chicago All-Star Game: Baltimore 32, All-Stars 7 (70,000 attendees)
1962
Russia launches Vostok 4 with Pavel Popovich, who lands safely on August 15
Russia launches Vostok 4 with Pavel Popovich, who lands safely on August 15
1963
Portuguese dictator Salazar is firm on African colonization
Portuguese dictator Salazar is firm on African colonization
1964
Mickey Mantle switch-hits a home run for the record 10th and final time in a game, with one going 502 feet
Mickey Mantle switch-hits a home run for the record 10th and final time in a game, with one going 502 feet
1965
Dame Elizabeth Lane becomes the first female English High Court judge
Dame Elizabeth Kathleen Lane, DBE was an English barrister and judge. She was the first woman appointed as a judge in the County Court, the first female High Court judge in England, and the first...
1966
Longview, Texas, radio station KLUE holds a "Beatles Bonfire" to burn Beatles records and memorabilia; the station is st
Longview, Texas, radio station KLUE holds a "Beatles Bonfire" to burn Beatles records and memorabilia; the station is struck by lightning the following day
1967
New Orleans Saints' first pre-season victory, beating St. Louis 23-14
The New Orleans Saints are a professional American football team based in New Orleans.
1969
Battle of the Bogside: RUC officers, backed by loyalists, enter the nationalist Bogside in armored cars and try to suppr
Battle of the Bogside: RUC officers, backed by loyalists, enter the nationalist Bogside in armored cars and try to suppress the riot by using CS gas, water cannon, and eventually firearms; the almost continuous rioting lasts for two days
1972
Last American combat ground troops leave Vietnam
The involvement of the United States in the Vietnam War began in the 1950s and greatly escalated in 1965 until its withdrawal in 1973. The U.S.
1972
Pete Sampras is born
Pete Sampras, American athlete, known for american former tennis player, was born on 1972-08-12. Pete Sampras is an American former professional tennis player.
1973
Betty Morris wins WPBA National Championship
Betty Morris wins WPBA National Championship
1973
Karl Ziegler dies
Karl Ziegler, German chemist, known for german chemist, died on 1973-08-12. Karl Waldemar Ziegler was a German chemist who won the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1963, with Giulio Natta, for work on…
1976
Christian militia conquers the Palestinian camp of Tel al-Zaatar, killing 2,000 people
Christian militia conquers the Palestinian camp of Tel al-Zaatar, killing 2,000 people
1976
Casey Affleck is born
Casey Affleck, American actor, known for american actor, was born on 1976-08-12. Casey Affleck is an American actor.
1977
For the second consecutive day, Oakland's Manny Sanguillen foils a no-hit bid
For the second consecutive day, Oakland's Manny Sanguillen foils a no-hit bid
1978
China and Japan sign a peace treaty
The Treaty of Peace and Friendship between Japan and the People's Republic of China is a peace treaty concluded between the People's Republic of China and Japan on August 12, 1978.
1978
Iva Majoli is born
Iva Majoli, Croatian athlete, known for croatian tennis player, was born on 1978-08-12. Iva Majoli is a Croatian former professional tennis player who competed for both Yugoslavia and Croatia.
1979
Iranian press censors start massive book burnings
Iranian press censors start massive book burnings
1980
Nicaragua celebrates the end of its National Literacy Crusade, a massive effort over five months that reduces illiteracy
Nicaragua celebrates the end of its National Literacy Crusade, a massive effort over five months that reduces illiteracy from 50% to 12%
1981
Don Estridge unveils the company's first personal computer, the IBM PC, at New York’s Waldorf Astoria Hotel, priced at $
Don Estridge unveils the company's first personal computer, the IBM PC, at New York’s Waldorf Astoria Hotel, priced at $1,565 with 16 kilobytes of RAM, helping bring computing to the masses [1]
1981
American swimmer Jon Erikson becomes the first to complete a three-way crossing of the English Channel in 38 hours and 2
American swimmer Jon Erikson becomes the first to complete a three-way crossing of the English Channel in 38 hours and 27 minutes [1]
1984
Braves beat Padres 5-3, featuring 2 brawls and 19 ejections
The 1984 San Diego Padres season was the 16th season in franchise history. San Diego won the National League (NL) championship and advanced to the World Series, which they lost to the Detroit Tigers...
1985
people die when Japan Airlines Flight 123 crashes in Ueno, Japan, the second-deadliest aviation disaster of all time
Japan Air Lines Flight 123 was a scheduled domestic passenger flight from Tokyo to Osaka, Japan.
1986
Boston Red Sox outfielder Don Baylor gets hit by a pitch for a record 25th time in a season
Boston Red Sox outfielder Don Baylor gets hit by a pitch for a record 25th time in a season
1987
Charles Cole climbs the 870-foot Tyrolean Traverse from the top of Elephant Rock
Charles Cole climbs the 870-foot Tyrolean Traverse from the top of Elephant Rock
1988
Boston Red Sox beat Tigers 9-4 for an AL record 23rd consecutive win at home
Boston Red Sox beat Tigers 9-4 for an AL record 23rd consecutive win at home
1989
Tyson Fury is born
Tyson Fury, British athlete, known for british boxer, was born on 1989-08-12. Tyson Luke Fury is a British professional boxer.
1990
12th Annual Macy's Tap-o-mania
12th Annual Macy's Tap-o-mania
1991
Heavy metal band Metallica releases its fifth album, "Metallica," which debuts at #1 on the Billboard 200 chart
Metallica is an American heavy metal band. It was formed in Los Angeles in 1981 by vocalist/guitarist James Hetfield and drummer Lars Ulrich, and has been based in San Francisco for most of its...
1991
Creditors vote to support Greyhound Bus reorganization plan
Creditors vote to support Greyhound Bus reorganization plan
1992
Canada, Mexico, and the United States announce completion of negotiations for the North American Free Trade Agreement (N
Canada, Mexico, and the United States announce completion of negotiations for the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA)
1994
First NFL game on Fox Network (exhibition - SF vs. Denver)
First NFL game on Fox Network (exhibition - SF vs. Denver)
1996
"Breakfast on Fox" premieres
"Breakfast on Fox" premieres
2000
The Oscar class submarine K-141 Kursk of the Russian Navy explodes and sinks in the Barents Sea during a military exerci
The Oscar class submarine K-141 Kursk of the Russian Navy explodes and sinks in the Barents Sea during a military exercise
2005
An F1 tornado strikes Glen Cove, New York, a rare event on Long Island
An F1 tornado strikes Glen Cove, New York, a rare event on Long Island
2007
Bulk carrier M/V New Flame collides with oil tanker Torm Gertrud at the southernmost tip of Gibraltar and ends up partia
Bulk carrier M/V New Flame collides with oil tanker Torm Gertrud at the southernmost tip of Gibraltar and ends up partially submerged
2011
American rock singer-songwriter John Mellencamp (59) divorces model Elaine Irwin (41) after 18 years of marriage
John J. Mellencamp, previously known as Johnny Cougar, John Cougar, and John Cougar Mellencamp, is an American singer-songwriter.
2012
XXX Summer Olympic Games close at Olympic Stadium at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, London, England
The 2012 Summer Olympic development process began in 2005, following the successful London bid for the 2012 Summer Olympics, and ran until the games in 2012.
2013
Eight people are killed and 25 are injured in a suicide bomb attack in Balad, Iraq
Estimates of the casualties from the Iraq War (beginning with the 2003 invasion of Iraq, and the ensuing occupation and insurgency and civil war) have come in several forms, and those estimates of...
2014
Ebola outbreak death toll exceeds 1000
An Ebola virus epidemic in Sierra Leone occurred in 2014, along with the neighbouring countries of Guinea and Liberia.
2015
China cuts its currency, the yuan, for the second day in a row to boost exports
China cuts its currency, the yuan, for the second day in a row to boost exports
2017
"Unite the Right" march in Charlottesville, Virginia turns violent when a car rams protesters, killing one and injuring
"Unite the Right" march in Charlottesville, Virginia turns violent when a car rams protesters, killing one and injuring 19
2018
Mali's presidential run-off election is held, and current President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita eventually wins, with the opp
Mali's presidential run-off election is held, and current President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita eventually wins, with the opposition disputing the outcome
2019
Baltimore Orioles concede 7 home runs in doubleheader defeats against NY Yankees to break the American League single-sea
Baltimore Orioles concede 7 home runs in doubleheader defeats against NY Yankees to break the American League single-season HRs allowed record with 248 and counting
2020
Europe fights a new COVID-19 surge with Germany, France, and Spain posting their largest daily infection totals for thre
Europe fights a new COVID-19 surge with Germany, France, and Spain posting their largest daily infection totals for three months
2021
million Americans across 34 states are under heat advisory warnings from the Pacific Northwest to the Northeast as the s
million Americans across 34 states are under heat advisory warnings from the Pacific Northwest to the Northeast as the summer of intense heat continues in the Northern Hemisphere [1]
2025
Bones of a British polar researcher who died in Antarctica in 1959 are discovered in a melting glacier; he is formally r
Bones of a British polar researcher who died in Antarctica in 1959 are discovered in a melting glacier; he is formally recognized as Dennis Bell [1]

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