21 fun facts for August, 12
Discover dozens of fun facts for this special day. Read the summary for a quick recap on what happened.
Summary
On August 12, a wide range of significant events have taken place, from the celebration of International Youth Day and World Elephant Day to the invention of the electric typewriter and the discovery of Mars' moons. This day offers an opportunity to honor the progress and achievements in various fields, as well as to raise awareness about pressing global issues.
21 Fun facts
- The International Youth Day is celebrated worldwide on August 12th. This day was celebrated for the first time in 2000, and it is observed to raise awareness about issues faced by young people, and to celebrate the potential and power of youth in social change.
- In 1851, American inventor Isaac Singer received a patent for the double-headed sewing machine on August 12th. This innovation greatly improved the efficiency and convenience of sewing, helping to transform the textile and clothing industries.
- On August 12, 1898, the United States and Spain reached an armistice agreement, ending the Spanish-American War. The war resulted in a significant shift in global power, with the U.S. acquiring territories such as Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines.
- In 1877, American astronomer Asaph Hall discovered the two moons of Mars - Phobos and Deimos - on August 12th. These irregularly-shaped moons are named after the Greek mythological characters that symbolize fear and terror.
- IBM's first-ever electric typewriter, the Model 01, went on sale on August 12, 1941. The device revolutionized office work and paved the way for future developments in electronic typewriting and word processing technologies.
- August 12th is World Elephant Day, an international event dedicated to the preservation and protection of elephants. Established in 2012, this day aims to raise awareness about the challenges elephants face in their fight for survival due to poaching and habitat loss.
- August 12, 1923, is the birthdate of prominent comic book artist and writer Joe Shuster. He co-created Superman with writer Jerry Siegel, which became one of the most popular and influential superheroes of all time.
- The famous Alfred Hitchcock, widely regarded as one of the greatest film directors of all time, was born on August 12, 1899. Some of his most famous films include Psycho, Rear Window, and Vertigo.
- On August 12, 1960, the first successful communications satellite, Echo 1A, was launched by NASA. This satellite enabled the first-ever transmission of human voice and television images between the United States and Europe.
- August 12th was the day that the last public execution using the guillotine in France took place in 1947. Hamida Djandoubi, a Tunisian convicted of murder, was executed in Marseilles.
- In 1964, on this day, South Africa was banned from participating in the Tokyo Olympics due to its apartheid segregation policies. This move marked a crucial moment in the international fight against racial discrimination.
- August 12, 1981, marks the launch of the IBM Personal Computer (PC), which became the archetype for personal computing. The IBM PC revolutionized computer technology, making it more accessible for home and office use.
- On August 12, 1990, the largest and most well-preserved Tyrannosaurus rex skeleton, known as Sue, was discovered in South Dakota. Sue is now on display at the Field Museum in Chicago and remains one of the premier dinosaur fossil finds.
- In 1977, NASA's Voyager 2 spacecraft was launched on August 12th. Its primary mission was to explore Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune, and it later went on to become the first human-made object to leave the solar system.
- August 12th is celebrated as National Vinyl Record Day in the United States. This day promotes the resurgence of vinyl records and pays homage to their unique sound quality and cultural impact.
- Canadian musician Justin Bieber released his debut single, “One Time,” on August 12, 2009. The song launched Bieber to international fame and solidified his status as a global pop icon.
- On August 12, 1955, groundbreaking African American contralto Marian Anderson performed at the Metropolitan Opera in New York City. She became the first African American to sing with the company, breaking racial barriers in the world of classical music.
- The world's first-ever feature film, The Story of the Kelly Gang, was released on August 12, 1906. This Australian film depicted the life of infamous bushranger Ned Kelly and pioneered the development of narrative cinema.
- August 12, 2010, marks the official end of operations for the Kodak Kodachrome film line. Kodachrome was a widely popular color film product from the 1930s through the 1970s, and its discontinuation in 2010 signified the decline of film photography.
- In 1992, Canada, Mexico, and the United States signed a preliminary agreement to establish the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) on August 12th. NAFTA aimed to promote economic integration and remove trade barriers among these countries.
- August 12, 1927, witnessed the release of the first "talkie" film series, Don Juan, starring John Barrymore. This film marked a turning point in cinematic history, as it kickstarted the era of sound in motion pictures.