Today marks the 224th day of the year 2026, leaving 141 days remaining. Several noteworthy events have occurred on August 12 throughout history.
Historical Events on August 12
In 1990, fossil collector Sue Hendrickson uncovered a significant Tyrannosaurus Rex skeleton. Nicknamed ‘Sue,’ the skeleton is one of the largest and best-preserved specimens ever found. It was discovered in South Dakota and is on display at the Field Museum in Chicago.
Back in 1867, President Andrew Johnson initiated a move towards his impeachment by suspending Secretary of War Edwin M. Stanton, defying Congress during a Reconstruction period disagreement. Johnson was later acquitted by the Senate.
The Spanish-American War concluded in 1898. In 1909, the famous Indianapolis Motor Speedway opened, which later became the site of the Indianapolis 500.
During World War II in 1944, Joseph P. Kennedy Jr., son of Joseph and Rose Kennedy, died when his Navy plane exploded over England. The Soviet Union conducted its first hydrogen bomb test in 1953.
In 1960, the United States launched the first balloon communications satellite, Echo 1, from Cape Canaveral.
IBM unveiled its first personal computer, model 5150, during a New York press conference in 1981. Four years later, the worst single-aircraft disaster occurred when a Japan Airlines Boeing 747 crashed, killing 520 people.
The 1994 baseball strike marked the eighth work stoppage since 1972, as players refused salary caps proposed by team owners.
In 2000, the Russian submarine Kursk was lost with all 118 crew members during drills in the Barents Sea.
Boston mob boss James “Whitey” Bulger was convicted in 2013 of 11 killings and various other crimes, many linked to his role as an FBI informant.
Tragedy struck in Charlottesville in 2017 when a driver rammed into protesters, killing Heather Heyer and injuring many others. The attacker received a life sentence plus additional penalties.
In 2022, author Salman Rushdie was attacked in New York while preparing to give a lecture. Rushdie’s works had drawn threats from Iran in the 1980s.
Notable Birthdays on August 12
- George Soros, investor and philanthropist, turns 96.
- Actor George Hamilton celebrates his 87th birthday.
- Mark Knopfler, singer-musician from Dire Straits, is 77.
- Singer Kid Creole turns 76.
- Film director Chen Kaige is now 74.
- Jazz guitarist Pat Metheny reaches 72.
- Actor Bruce Greenwood turns 70.
- Lynette Woodard, Basketball Hall of Famer, is 67.
- Rapper Sir Mix-A-Lot celebrates 63 years.
- Actor Peter Krause is 61.
- Tennis Hall of Famer Pete Sampras is 55, as are actor-comedian Michael Ian Black and actor Yvette Nicole Brown.
- Actor Casey Affleck turns 51.
- Boxer Tyson Fury is 38.
- Actor Lakeith Stanfield and NBA All-Star Khris Middleton are both 35.
- Actor Cara Delevingne turns 34.
- Tennis player Stefanos Tsitsipas is 28 today.