Dinosaurs, Computers, and the Last Zebra!
Get ready for a wild ride through August 12th! This day has seen some seriously huge finds, like the biggest dinosaur skeleton ever discovered, and some tiny tech that changed the world. We’re also looking at the sad farewell to a unique animal. Buckle up—history is moving fast today!
Did you know that August 12th is also National Middle Child Day? Maybe that’s why some of these historical events—like the launch of the first communications satellite or the discovery of a moon on Mars—felt a little overlooked at first, but turned out to be super important! It’s a day for the underdogs and the massive breakthroughs.
What Happened on This Day
Largest Dinosaur Fossil Ever Found!
Imagine digging and finding something HUGE! In 1990, paleontologist Sue Hendrickson found the most complete Tyrannosaurus rex skeleton ever uncovered in South Dakota. This incredible fossil was so massive and well-preserved that it was nicknamed 'Sue' after her! This discovery gave scientists an amazing, up-close look at what a real-life T-Rex looked like, from its tiny arms to its giant, toothy grin. Talk about a giant discovery!
The First Personal Computer Hits Stores!
The year 1981 on August 12th was huge for tech fans! That’s when the very first IBM Personal Computer (the IBM PC) started showing up in stores. It was a boxy, beige machine that didn't even have a proper floppy disk drive at first! Even though it looks like an ancient relic now, this machine kicked off the PC revolution we live in today. It was like the great-great-grandparent of your laptop or tablet!
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The Sad Farewell to the Quagga
On August 12, 1883, the very last wild quagga took its final breath in a zoo in Amsterdam. The quagga looked like a zebra but only had stripes on the front half of its body, fading to plain brown towards the back! Humans hunted them almost to extinction for their skin and meat. This sad day reminds us how important it is to protect all animals, even the ones with funny, half-striped coats!
Mars Gets a New Moon Named Deimos
Look up to the stars! On August 12, 1877, American astronomer Asaph Hall spotted a tiny, new moon orbiting Mars. He named it Deimos, which is the Greek god of fear and terror—pretty dramatic for a little space rock! Deimos is one of Mars' two small moons (the other is Phobos). Imagine being the first person to spot a whole new world orbiting another planet through your telescope!
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The Speedy Model T Rolls Off the Line
Get ready to drive! On August 12, 1908, the very first Ford Model T car rolled off the assembly line. Henry Ford was all about making cars cheap enough for regular families to buy, not just super-rich people. This invention totally changed how people lived, worked, and traveled, kicking off the age of the automobile. Suddenly, the world seemed a whole lot smaller because you could drive to your friends’ houses faster!
Learn moreFun Facts About August 12
- The T-Rex found on this day is nicknamed 'Sue' after the paleontologist who discovered her!
- The first IBM PC sold for about $1500 back in 1981—that's a lot of pizza money!
- The extinct quagga was a type of zebra from South Africa that looked like it ran out of stripes!
- Echo I, the first successful communications satellite, launched into space on August 12, 1960!
A Look Back in Time
August 12th often falls during the height of summer, a time of travel, discovery, and sometimes, quiet reflection. In 1908, when the Model T arrived, cars were still a new, noisy adventure. Meanwhile, in 1877, scientists were looking up at the skies, adding new celestial neighbors to our solar system. The year 1990, when 'Sue' the T-Rex was found, was just as the world was getting used to the idea of personal computers being everywhere. This date shows history can be found in the ground, in the sky, and on our desks!
Born on This Day
George IV of the United Kingdom
This royal was King of the United Kingdom from 1820 until he passed away. He was known for loving the arts and building beautiful things like the Royal Pavilion in Brighton. He was also quite the fashion plate and loved grand parties—a true prince who became a king!
Cecil B. DeMille
Cecil B. DeMille was a movie director who loved making BIG spectacles! He directed massive films like *The Ten Commandments* with giant sets and huge crowds. He helped make movies a huge deal in Hollywood. If you like epic stories on the big screen, you can thank directors like him!
George Soros
George Soros is a very famous (and very rich!) financier and philanthropist from Hungary. He made his fortune by making smart investments. He is also well-known for giving away huge amounts of money to support democracy and human rights around the world through his Open Society Foundations.
Pete Sampras
Pete Sampras is one of the greatest tennis players ever! Known as 'Pistol Pete' for his super-fast serve, he won Wimbledon—the most famous tennis tournament—seven times! He held the world's number one ranking for years. Imagine hitting a serve so fast it looks like a blur!