On This Day in History – August 12
August 12 has witnessed turning points in world exploration, war, technology, and the arts. From spacewalks to famous births and cultural milestones, this date offers a rich tapestry of events worth remembering.
Major Events
- 30 BC – Cleopatra VII, the last active ruler of the Ptolemaic Kingdom of Egypt, reportedly dies by suicide.
- 1492 – Christopher Columbus is appointed Admiral of the Ocean Sea by the Spanish crown ahead of his westward voyage.
- 1851 – Isaac Singer is granted a patent for his sewing machine invention.
- 1898 – The Spanish-American War ends with an armistice, leading to the eventual Treaty of Paris.
- 1944 – Joseph P. Kennedy Jr., older brother of future U.S. President John F. Kennedy, is killed during a secret bombing mission in World War II.
- 1964 – South Africa is banned from the Tokyo Summer Olympics due to its apartheid policies.
- 1970 – Hijackers from the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) seize control of a flight from Tel Aviv to New York.
- 1981 – IBM introduces its first personal computer, the IBM 5150, a major development in the home computing revolution.
- 2000 – The Russian submarine Kursk sinks in the Barents Sea, killing all 118 crew members.
Famous Birthdays
- Cecil B. DeMille (1881–1959) – American filmmaker known for The Ten Commandments and epic productions.
- Cantinflas (Mario Moreno) (1911–1993) – Mexican actor and comedian widely beloved across Latin America.
- George Soros (1930– ) – Hungarian-American investor, philanthropist, and author.
- Mark Knopfler (1949– ) – British musician and lead guitarist of the band Dire Straits.
- Pete Sampras (1971– ) – American tennis player and former world No. 1, winner of 14 Grand Slam titles.
- Casey Affleck (1975– ) – American actor and Academy Award winner.
- Maggie Lawson (1980– ) – American actress known for her role in Psych.
- Dominique Swain (1980– ) – American actress known for her role in Lolita.
- LaKeith Stanfield (1991– ) – American actor known for Atlanta and Judas and the Black Messiah.
- Cara Jocelyn Delevingne (1992– ) – British model and actress.
Notable Deaths
- Cleopatra VII (69 BC–30 BC) – Queen of Egypt and one of history’s most iconic female rulers.
- William Blake Richmond (1842–1921) – English painter and designer, known for his mosaics in St. Paul’s Cathedral.
- Thomas Mann (1875–1955) – German novelist and Nobel Prize in Literature laureate.
- Ian Fleming (1908–1964) – British author best known for creating the James Bond series.
- Henry Fonda (1905–1982) – American film and stage actor known for 12 Angry Men.
- Beverly Sills (1929–2007) – American opera singer and cultural leader.
- John Hughes (1950–2009) – American filmmaker known for The Breakfast Club, Home Alone, and Ferris Bueller’s Day Off.
- Bal Thackeray (1926–2012) – Indian politician and founder of the Shiv Sena party.
- Lauren Bacall (1924–2014) – American actress known for her sultry voice and classic film roles.
- Julian Bond (1940–2015) – American civil rights leader and politician.
Holidays
- International Youth Day – Established by the United Nations to raise awareness of youth issues and promote engagement.
- Glorious Twelfth (United Kingdom) – Marks the start of the grouse shooting season in parts of the UK.
- National Middle Child Day (United States) – A fun day celebrating often-overlooked middle siblings.
- Russian Airborne Troops Day (Russia) – Honors the country’s airborne forces, celebrated with parades and events.
- Queen’s Birthday (Thailand) – Celebrates the birthday of Queen Sirikit and is also recognized as Mother’s Day in Thailand.
Fun Facts
- The IBM 5150 released on August 12, 1981, helped launch the modern personal computer industry.
- Cleopatra’s death marked the end of both the Ptolemaic dynasty and Pharaonic rule in Egypt.
- John Hughes’ death in 2009 left a lasting cultural legacy for an entire generation of teens and moviegoers.
- The Kursk submarine disaster in 2000 sparked international attention and criticism over Russia’s military readiness and transparency.
- The “Glorious Twelfth” is one of the UK’s most controversial wildlife events, often drawing debate over environmental and ethical issues.