30
Politics
Death of Cleopatra VII
Cleopatra died in Alexandria in 30 BCE; the exact cause of death remains debated.
View detailsThis Day
12August
18 indexed achievements across recorded history.
1816
Activism
Death of Mary Katharine Goddard
Mary Katharine Goddard died in Baltimore, Maryland.
View details1831
Activism
Birth of Helena Blavatsky
Helena Blavatsky was born on August 12, 1831, in Yekaterinoslav, Russia.
View details1864
Medicine
Release in prisoner exchange
Released in a prisoner exchange for Confederate surgeon.
View details1867
Literature
Birth of Edith Hamilton
Edith Hamilton was born on August 12, 1867, in Dresden, Germany.
View details1880
Literature
Birth of Radclyffe Hall
Radclyffe Hall was born on August 12, 1880, in Bournemouth, England.
View details1880
Science
Birth of Christy Mathewson
Christy Mathewson was born in Factoryville, Pennsylvania, later becoming one of the greatest pitchers in baseball history.
View details1889
Literature
Birth of Zerna Addis Sharp
Zerna Addis Sharp was born on August 12, 1889, in Indiana.
View details1917
Activism
Anti‑lynching resolutions and philanthropy at Walker convention
The 1917 Walker convention adjourned with resolutions against lynching and donating to civil rights causes.
View details1920
Activism
Death of Louisa Lawson
Louisa Lawson died on August 12, 1920, in Gladesville, New South Wales.
View details1932
Sports
Olympic gold and world record in 4×100-meter freestyle relay
Madison anchored the U.S. women's 4x100m freestyle relay to Olympic gold in 4:38.0, breaking the world record by about 9.6 seconds.
View details1972
Sports
First U.S. Girls’ Junior Championship Victory
Lopez wins her first U.S. Girls’ Junior Championship.
View details1972
Activism
Death of Rose Schneiderman
Rose Schneiderman died on August 12, 1972, in New York City at the age of 90, after decades of pioneering labor and women's rights activism.
View details1984
Sports
Fifth place in long jump at Los Angeles 1984 Olympics
Joyner places fifth in the women's long jump at the Los Angeles 1984 Olympics.
View details2009
Politics
Awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom
President Barack Obama awards Justice Sandra Day O’Connor the Presidential Medal of Freedom, honoring her trailblazing judicial and civic service.
View details2009
Science
Presidential Medal of Freedom
President Obama awarded Rowley the Presidential Medal of Freedom for her discoveries in cancer genetics.
View details2016
Sports
Pre-Rio 2016 recognition as champion and record holder
Highlighted as Brazil's top Paralympic athlete before Rio 2016 Games.
View details2023
Sports
Inducted into Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame
Becky Hammon was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame as part of the Class of 2023.
View details