On This Day in History: August 12

Welcome to the Planet Earth News Network editorial engine's daily look at history. Today, August 12, marks a series of moments that changed the world, from the end of ancient empires to the birth of the computer age.

30 BC — The Death of Cleopatra VII

Cleopatra VII, the last active ruler of the Ptolemaic Kingdom of Egypt, died in Alexandria. Following her defeat at the Battle of Actium, she chose to end her life rather than be taken as a prisoner by the Roman leader Octavian, who later became Emperor Augustus. Her death marked the end of the Hellenistic period and the beginning of Roman rule in Egypt.

1099 — The Battle of Ascalon

The Battle of Ascalon took place, serving as the final engagement of the First Crusade. Crusader forces led by Godfrey of Bouillon defeated the Fatimid army commanded by Al-Afdal Shahanshah. This victory secured the safety of Jerusalem for the newly established Kingdom of Jerusalem.

1676 — The Death of Metacom Ends King Philip’s War

The conflict known as King Philip’s War effectively ended in New England. Metacom, the Wampanoag chief also known as King Philip, was killed by John Alderman, a Native American serving with English colonial forces. The war was a significant and costly struggle between English colonists and indigenous groups in the region.

1851 — Isaac Merritt Singer Patents the Sewing Machine

American inventor Isaac Merritt Singer was granted a patent for his improved sewing machine. His design included a foot treadle and a vertical needle, making it more practical for home and industrial use. This invention helped revolutionize the garment industry and home life.

1877 — Discovery of the Martian Moon Deimos

American astronomer Asaph Hall discovered Deimos, the smaller and outermost of the two moons of Mars. He made the discovery at the United States Naval Observatory in Washington, D.C. Just a few days later, he would also discover the larger moon, Phobos.

1898 — Armistice Ends the Spanish-American War

The United States and Spain signed an armistice protocol, bringing an end to the hostilities of the Spanish-American War. Under the terms, Spain agreed to leave Cuba and cede Puerto Rico and Guam to the United States. The final peace treaty was later signed in Paris.

1914 — Britain and France Declare War on Austria-Hungary

During the opening weeks of World War I, Great Britain and France officially declared war on the Austro-Hungarian Empire. This followed the earlier declarations of war involving Germany, Russia, and Serbia, further expanding the global conflict.

1944 — Death of Joseph P. Kennedy Jr.

Lieutenant Joseph P. Kennedy Jr., the eldest son of Joseph P. Kennedy and Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy, was killed in action during World War II. He was piloting a plane filled with explosives for a secret mission called Operation Aphrodite when it exploded over the English Channel. He was the older brother of future U.S. President John F. Kennedy.

1953 — Soviet Union Tests First Hydrogen Bomb

The Soviet Union successfully tested its first hydrogen bomb at the Semipalatinsk test site in Kazakhstan. The device, known as RDS-6s or "Joe 4," was a significant development in the nuclear arms race during the Cold War, demonstrating the Soviet Union's growing military capabilities.

1981 — Launch of the IBM Personal Computer

International Business Machines, better known as IBM, introduced the IBM Personal Computer (Model 5150). With a starting price of $1,565, the machine featured an Intel 8088 processor and used an operating system from a small company called Microsoft. It became a landmark product that helped popularize personal computing.

1990 — Discovery of "Sue" the T-Rex

Paleontologist Susan Hendrickson discovered the most complete Tyrannosaurus rex skeleton ever found in the Black Hills of South Dakota. The fossil, nicknamed "Sue" after its discoverer, is approximately 90 percent complete and is now a central exhibit at the Field Museum of Natural History in Chicago.

1994 — Major League Baseball Players Go on Strike

Major League Baseball players began a strike after failing to reach a new collective bargaining agreement with team owners. The work stoppage lasted 232 days and resulted in the cancellation of the remainder of the 1994 season, including the World Series, for the first time since 1904.

2000 — The Kursk Submarine Disaster

The Russian nuclear-powered submarine K-141 Kursk sank in the Barents Sea following two internal explosions during a naval exercise. All 118 crew members on board died. The disaster led to international scrutiny of the Russian government's rescue efforts and naval safety protocols.

2012 — Closing of the London Summer Olympics

The XXX Olympiad, also known as the London 2012 Summer Olympics, came to a close with a grand ceremony. The games featured athletes from 204 National Olympic Committees competing in 26 sports. The United States finished with the most gold medals and the highest total medal count.

2018 — Signing of the Caspian Sea Convention

Leaders from five nations—Russia, Iran, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, and Turkmenistan—signed the Convention on the Legal Status of the Caspian Sea. The agreement established rules for sharing the sea's vast oil and gas resources and prohibited foreign military presence in the water, ending decades of legal uncertainty.