What Happened On July 12th?

Historical Discoveries

927: England was unified under one king, Æthelstan, for the first time in history. Æthelstan’s reign marked a significant step in the formation of the modern English nation and set the stage for the development of a centralized monarchy.

Scientific Breakthroughs

1960: The Etch A Sketch, a popular toy that allows users to create drawings by turning two knobs, was first introduced. While not necessarily a scientific breakthrough, it did introduce many children to basic concepts of geometry and spatial reasoning.

1979: The Skylab space station, the United States’ first space station, re-entered the Earth’s atmosphere after six years in orbit. Skylab provided valuable data on the long-term effects of spaceflight on the human body, as well as numerous scientific and engineering experiments.

Political Milestones

1979: The island nation of Kiribati gained independence from the United Kingdom. As a result, the people of Kiribati gained control over their political and economic affairs, shaping the country’s future as a sovereign nation.

Cultural Events

1962: The Rolling Stones performed their first concert at the Marquee Club in London. The band, which remains one of the most influential and successful rock groups in history, began their illustrious career on this day.

2012: Saudi Arabia announced that it would be sending two female athletes to the Olympic Games for the first time in the country’s history. They were judoka Wojdan Shaherkani and 800m runner Sarah Attar. The decision to include female athletes was a significant milestone for Saudi Arabia, which had previously faced criticism for its treatment of women and its lack of opportunities for female athletes. This decision has paved the way for continued progress towards greater gender equality in the country.

Notable Births

1. Julius Caesar (100BC–44BC) – A Roman general, statesman, and writer who played a critical role in the events that led to the downfall of the Roman Republic and the rise of the Roman Empire. He is perhaps best known for his military conquests, including the successful campaigns in Gaul and his victory in the civil war against Pompey. Caesar was assassinated in 44 BC by a group of senators who feared his growing power.
2. Henry David Thoreau (1817–1862) – An American writer, philosopher, and naturalist best known for his book “Walden” which chronicles his two-year experience of living in a cabin in the woods near Walden Pond in Massachusetts. Thoreau was a leading figure in the Transcendentalist movement and is considered one of the most influential American writers of the 19th century.
3. Pablo Neruda (1904–1973) – A Chilean poet, diplomat, and politician who won the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1971. His works often focused on themes of love, nature, and politics, and he is considered one of the most important poets of the 20th century. Neruda was also a member of the Chilean Communist Party and served as a senator and as the Chilean ambassador to France.
4. Bill Cosby (1937) – An American comedian, actor, and producer who was one of the most popular and successful comedians of the 1960s and 70s. He is best known for his roles in the TV shows “I Spy” and “The Cosby Show,” and his comedy albums, which earned him multiple Grammy Awards. Cosby’s later career was marred by numerous allegations of sexual assault, for which he was convicted in 2018 and sentenced to prison.
5. Richard Simmons (1948) – An American fitness personality and actor who gained fame in the 1980s and 90s with his exercise videos and TV shows. He is known for his high-energy personality and motivational style, and has been credited with helping to popularize aerobics and other forms of fitness. Simmons has largely retired from public life in recent years.
6. Cheryl Ladd (1951) – An American actress and singer who is best known for her role as Kris Munroe on the TV show “Charlie’s Angels.” She has also appeared in numerous films and TV shows throughout her career, and has released several albums as a singer.
7. Michelle Rodriguez (1978) – An American actress and screenwriter who is best known for her roles in the “Fast and Furious” film series and the TV show “Lost.” She has also appeared in numerous other films and TV shows, and is known for her tough, no-nonsense on-screen persona.
8. Topher Grace (1978) – An American actor who is best known for his role as Eric Forman on the TV show “That ’70s Show.” He has also appeared in numerous films, including “Spider-Man 3,” “In Good Company,” and “Interstellar.
9. Erik Per Sullivan (1991) – An American actor who is best known for his role as Dewey on the TV show “Malcolm in the Middle.” He has also appeared in films such as “The Cider House Rules” and “Unfaithful.
10. Malala Yousafzai (1997) – A Pakistani activist for girls’ education and the youngest Nobel Prize laureate. She gained international attention in 2012 after surviving an assassination attempt by the Taliban for her advocacy work. Since then, she has become a leading voice for girls’ education and human rights, and has founded the Malala Fund, which advocates for education for girls around the world. Yousafzai has received numerous awards and accolades for her work, including the Nobel Peace Prize in 2014.

Final Word

In conclusion, July 12th is a day marked by significant events in history, ranging from scientific breakthroughs and political milestones to cultural moments and notable births. The events of this day have left a lasting impact on the world and continue to shape our present and future. As we celebrate and remember the events of July 12th, we honor the achievements and sacrifices of those who have come before us and appreciate the progress and innovations that have stemmed from these historical moments. It is a day to reflect on our shared history and to acknowledge the people and events that have shaped our world.