Friday, March 29, 2024 (Week 13)

August 12 in History

What happened on August 12 in history?

A chronological timetable of historical events that occurred on august 12 in history. Historical facts of the day in the areas of military, politics, science, music, sports, arts, entertainment and more. Discover what happened on august 12 in history.

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2012
The Summer Olympics come to a close in London.
2005
An LTTE (Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam) sniper mortally wounds Sri Lanka’s foreign minister, Lakshman Kadirgamar, at the minister’s home.
2000
Russian Navy submarine K-141 Kursk explodes and sinks with all hands during military exercises in the Barents Sea.
1992
The North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) is concluded between the United States, Canada and Mexico, creating the world’s wealthiest trade bloc.
1985
Highest in-flight death toll as 520 die when Japan Airlines Flight 123 crashes into Mount Takamagahara.
1981
Computer giant IBM introduces its first personal computer.
1979
Massive book burnings by press censors begin in Iran.
1978
The Tel al-Zaatar massacre takes place at Palestinian refuge camp during Lebanese Civil War.
1977
Steven Biko, leader of the black consciousness movement in South Africa, is arrested.
1977
The space shuttle Enterprise makes its first free flight and landing.
1972
As U.S. troops leave Vietnam, B-52’s make their largest strike of the war.
1969
American installations at Quan-Loi, Vietnam, come under Viet Cong attack.
1961
The erection of the Berlin Wall begins, preventing access between East and West Germany.
1941
French Marshal Henri Philippe Petain announces full French collaboration with Nazi Germany.
1935
President Franklin Roosevelt signs the Social Security Bill.
1922
The home of Frederick Douglass in Washington, D.C. is dedicated as a memorial.
1908
Henry Ford‘s first Model T rolls off the assembly line.
1898
The Spanish American War officially ends after three months and 22 days of hostilities.
1896
Gold is discovered near Dawson City, Yukon Territory, Canada. After word reaches the United States in June of 1897, thousands of Americans head to the Klondike to seek their fortunes.
1864
After a week of heavy raiding, the Confederate cruiser Tallahassee claims six Union ships captured.
1863
Confederate raider William Quantrill leads a massacre of 150 men and boys in Lawrence, Kansas.
1812
British commander the Duke of Wellington occupies Madrid, Spain, forcing out Joseph Bonaparte.
1791
Black slaves on the island of Santo Domingo rise up against their white masters.
1762
The British capture Cuba from Spain after a two month siege.
1687
At the Battle of Mohacs, Hungary, Charles of Lorraine defeats the Turks.
1099
At the Battle of Ascalon 1,000 Crusaders, led by Godfrey of Bouillon, route an Egyptian relief column heading for Jerusalem, which had already fallen to the Crusaders.