Discover what happened on August 12 in history as remarkable inventions, groundbreaking technology, unforgettable entertainment, and historic milestones helped shape the world we know today.
What Happened on August 12 in History?
On this day, Thomas Edison invented the phonograph, The Wizard of Oz premiered before its nationwide release, and IBM introduced the personal computer that helped transform modern computing.
AUGUST 12 – TODAY IN HISTORY:
1851 – Isaac Singer received a patent for his improvements to the sewing machine, helping make it practical for widespread commercial and home use.
1865 – Surgeon Joseph Lister used antiseptic techniques during surgery for the first time, dramatically reducing infections and revolutionizing modern medicine.
1867 – President Andrew Johnson defied Congress by suspending Secretary of War Edwin. M. Stanton. This action sparked a move to impeach Johnson.
1877 – Thomas Edison invented the phonograph and made the first sound recording.
1898 – The Spanish-American War ended with the signing of the peace protocol. The United States acquired Guam, Puerto Rico, and the Philippines, while Hawaii was annexed during the same year.
1918 – Regular airmail service began between Washington, DC, and New York, NY.
1927 – Pilot Charles Lindbergh started his 26 city tour in Grand Rapids, MI. 100,000 people cheered him in a parade. His mother joined him and he took her for a plane ride in “The Spirit of St. Louis”.
1939 – “The Wizard of Oz” premiered at the Strand Theatre in Oconomowoc, WI. The movie premiered in Hollywood on August 15th.
1942 – The U.S.S. Wolverine-IX 64, the Great Lakes’ first and only aircraft carrier, was commissioned at Buffalo, NY. The Wolverine was then moved to Chicago and used on Lake Michigan to train student aviators in carrier landings and takeoffs. Former U.S. President George H. W. Bush was among the pilots who learned to take off and land on the 500-foot long carrier deck.
1960 – NASA launched Echo 1A, its first successful communications satellite. The 100-foot metallic balloon passively reflected radio and television signals around the globe.
1964 – Mickey Mantle set a major league baseball record when he hit home runs from both sides of the plate in the same game.
1966 – John Lennon apologized at a news conference in Chicago, IL, for his remark that “the Beatles are more popular than Jesus.”
1977 – The first free flight of the Space Shuttle Enterprise.
1981 – The IBM Personal Computer was released.
1986 – NASA announced that they had selected a new rocket design for the Space Shuttle. The move was made to correct flaws that were believed to have been responsible for the Challenger disaster.
1988 – The movie “The Last Temptation of Christ” opened in theaters.
1990 – Sue, the largest and most complete Tyrannosaurus Rex skeleton found to date, was discovered by Sue Hendrickson at a reserve in Faith, South Dakota.
1992 – The U.S., Canada, and Mexico announced that the North American Free Trade Agreement had been created after 14 months of negotiations.
1994 – Major league baseball players went on strike rather than allow team owners to limit their salaries. The strike lasted for 232 days. The strike forced the cancellation of the 1994 World Series for the first time in 90 years.
2003 – The Blaster computer worm infected more than half a million computers around the world before its creator was later identified and arrested.
2016 – The movie “Sausage Party” was released. It would become the highest grossing R-rated animated movie of all time.
CELEBRITY BIRTHDAYS ON AUGUST 12:
George Soros – 96 years old (1930) – Hungarian-American businessman and investor, founded the Soros Fund Management
Dallin H. Oaks – 94 years old (1932) – Lawyer, jurist, and religious leader
George Hamilton – 87 years old (1939) – Actor
Dana Ivey – 85 years old (1941) – Actress
Dorothy E. Denning – 81 years old (1945) – Computer scientist and academic
Ron Mael – 81 years old (1945) – Keyboard player and songwriter
Rick Ridgeway – 77 years old (1949) – Mountaineer and photographer
Jim Beaver – 76 years old (1950) – Actor, director, and screenwriter
August "Kid Creole" Darnell – 76 years old (1950) – Musician, bandleader, singer-songwriter, and record producer
Daniel Biles – 74 years old (1952) – Associate justice of the Kansas Supreme Court
Sam J. Jones – 72 years old (1954) – Actor
Pat Metheny – 72 years old (1954) – Jazz guitarist and composer
Sir Mix-a-Lot – 63 years old (1963) – Rapper, producer, and actor
Peter Krause – 61 years old (1965) – Actor
Tobias Ellwood – 60 years old (1966) – American-English captain and politician
Jim Schlossnagle – 56 years old (1970) – Baseball player and coach
Anthony Swofford – 56 years old (1970) – Soldier and author
Michael Ian Black – 55 years old (1971) – Comedian, actor, director, producer, and screenwriter
Yvette Nicole Brown – 55 years old (1971) – Actress, comedian, and talk show host
Rebecca Gayheart – 55 years old (1971) – Actress
Pete Sampras – 55 years old (1971) – Tennis player
Del the Funky Homosapien – 54 years old (1972) – Rapper
Jonathan Coachman – 53 years old (1973) – Sportscaster and wrestler
Todd Marchant – 53 years old (1973) – Ice hockey player and coach
Matt Clement – 52 years old (1974) – Baseball player and coach
Casey Affleck – 51 years old (1975) – Actor
Antoine Walker – 50 years old (1976) – Basketball player
Plaxico Burress – 49 years old (1977) – Football player
Chris Chambers – 48 years old (1978) – Football player
D. J. Houlton – 47 years old (1979) – Baseball player
Maggie Lawson – 46 years old (1980) – Actress
Dominique Swain – 46 years old (1980) – Actress
Matt Thiessen – 46 years old (1980) – Canadian-American singer-songwriter and guitarist
Kyle Arrington – 40 years old (1986) – Football player
Khris Middleton – 35 years old (1991) – Basketball player
LaKeith Stanfield – 35 years old (1991) – Actor and musician
Ian Happ – 32 years old (1994) – Baseball player
Dream – 27 years old (1999) – YouTuber
Dixie D'Amelio – 25 years old (2001) – Social media personality and singer
DAYS OF THE YEAR FOR AUGUST 12:
- World Elephant Day: Magnificent creatures with incredible memories and emotional intelligence that astound researchers and animal lovers alike.
- World Calligraphy Day: Turn words into art by learning calligraphy. Take a class, watch some tutorials, or visit an art store for supplies and books on how to get started.
- National Vinyl Record Day: CDs and cassettes are fading into the past, but vinyl is more popular than ever. Support your local record shop, or dig out your favorite vinyl album.
- National Julienne Fries Day: National Julienne Fries Day is a celebration dedicated to the delightful, thin-cut fries that have become a favorite side dish around the world. These fries, named after the Julienne cutting technique, are known for their crispy texture and slender shape. This day offers an opportunity to indulge in these delicious...
- National Middle Child Day: Living in the shadow of your older siblings, competing for attention with your younger…Middle Child Day is a well-deserved day all about those middle kids.
- Baseball Fans Day: Amidst crackling excitement, camaraderie echoes, cheering for the crack of the bat and triumphant victories.
- National Gooey Butter Cake Day: Crafted with decadent layers, this St. Louis delicacy fuses sweetness and texture, creating an irresistible culinary masterpiece.
- Afternoon Tea Week: Host a British-inspired Afternoon Tea and plug that gap between lunch and dinner with tea, biscuits (cookies), scones, clotted cream, whatever you like.
- Glorious Twelfth: The Glorious Twelfth marks the start of the grouse shooting season in the United Kingdom. It's a major event for hunting enthusiasts who flock to the moors to engage in this time-honored tradition. The day is celebrated with excitement and anticipation, drawing people to the countryside for a chance to...
- The Thoughtful Traveller Day: Travelling is more than ticking places off a list. It’s about the moments that stay with you—the café on the corner with the best espresso, the vendor who shared a story along with fresh fruit, the path that led you off the map. The Thoughtful Traveller Day encourages people to...
- Milkman Day: Milkman Day is a festive moment that honors the people who deliver fresh milk to doorsteps. It highlights their role in keeping families nourished with ease. This day gives us a chance to pause and see the care behind every bottle they leave. The mood feels warm and friendly. Words...
- International Youth Day: Kids are the future. Support youth activities, organizations, and centers to help the youngest generation blossom and grow into brighter futures.
- Queen’s Birthday in Thailand: In Thailand, the Queen's Birthday is a significant national event, celebrated as both a tribute to Her Majesty Queen Sirikit and as Mother’s Day. This day holds a special place in the hearts of the Thai people, symbolizing their deep respect for the Queen, who is regarded as the "Mother...
- Crayfish Party: Crayfish Party is a lively and festive occasion celebrated with friends and family. This event marks the end of summer, bringing people together for a joyful feast. Tables are often set with bright decorations, and the air is filled with laughter. The menu features cooked and seasoned crayfish. The atmosphere...
- Puck Fair: Puck Fair is a lively festival held in Killorglin, Ireland, where a goat is crowned as "King Puck" and honored by the town. This unique tradition, one of the oldest in Ireland, draws crowds eager to witness the crowning and take part in the festivities. The town comes alive with...
- Navasard: Navasard is the ancient Armenian New Year, a celebration that once united communities in festivities and tribute to their gods. Marking the start of a new cycle, it was a time when people believed divine forces came down to the Earth. With music, dance, and communal feasts, it reflected a...
- National Bargain Hunting Week: Exploring discounts and deals, seekers unearth treasures while navigating the maze of savings, discovering hidden gems.
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