What Happened on August 12?

August 12 is World Elephant Day — protect Earth's largest land animals! The same date IBM introduced its PC in 1981, Sue the T. rex was found in 1990, and NASA launched the Echo 1 satellite in 1960.

• 1833 — Chicago incorporates as a town

  On August 12, 1833, settlers voted to incorporate the Town of Chicago — a tiny lakeside community that grew into a major American city. Read the full story →

• 1851 — Isaac Singer patents an improved sewing machine

  On August 12, 1851, Isaac Merritt Singer received a U.S. patent for a practical sewing machine that helped transform clothing manufacture. Read the full story →

• 1877 — Thomas Edison completes an early phonograph that talks back

  Around August 12, 1877, Thomas Edison finished work on a talking machine — the phonograph — that recorded and replayed sound on a tinfoil cylinder. Read the full story →

• 1960 — NASA launches Echo 1, a giant reflective balloon satellite

  On August 12, 1960, NASA launched Echo 1 — a 100-foot metalized balloon that bounced radio signals across continents. Read the full story →

• 1981 — IBM introduces its first Personal Computer

  On August 12, 1981, IBM unveiled the IBM 5150 Personal Computer in New York — helping make desktop computing mainstream. Read the full story →

Famous birthdays

George Hamilton (1939) · Pete Sampras (1971) · Casey Affleck (1975) · Cara Delevingne (1992)

Days & observances

World Elephant Day · National Middle Child Day · Vinyl Record Day · International Youth Day