1918⚡ Event
First Woman Enlists in US Marine Corps
Opha May Johnson became the first woman to enlist in the United States Marine Corps.
politicslaw
This Week in History: Week 33
August 12 – August 18
Over 103 historical moments took place during these 7 days of the calendar year. Explore our curated digest of the most world-changing events, iconic births, and notable deaths.
Explore the Full Daily Timelines
Major Events (August 12 – August 18)(20)
1948⚡ Event
Republic of Korea established
The Republic of Korea was established with Syngman Rhee as its first president.
politics
1962⚡ Event
The Beatles replace drummer
The English rock band the Beatles fired their drummer Pete Best, replacing him with Ringo Starr.
musicentertainment
1963⚡ Event
President Fulbert Youlou overthrown in Republic of Congo
President Fulbert Youlou was overthrown in the Republic of Congo following a three-day uprising in the capital.
politics
1969⚡ Event
The Troubles Erupt in Derry
Riots erupted in the Bogside neighborhood of Derry on August 12, 1969, spreading across much of Northern Ireland and marking a significant escalation of The Troubles.
politicswar
1977⚡ Event
Wow! Signal Received
The Big Ear radio telescope at Ohio State University received a strong, apparently extraterrestrial radio signal known as the Wow! signal.
sciencespace
1985⚡ Event
Japan Air Lines Flight 123 Crash
Japan Air Lines Flight 123 crashed into Mount Takamagahara on August 12, 1985, killing 520 of the 524 people on board, including singer Kyu Sakamoto. This remains the world's worst single-aircraft aviation disaster.
disasterentertainment
1990⚡ Event
Discovery of 'Sue' the T. rex Skeleton
Near Faith, South Dakota, paleontologist Sue Hendrickson discovered one of the most complete Tyrannosaurus rex skeletons on August 12, 1990. The skeleton was nicknamed 'Sue'.
science
1998⚡ Event
Omagh Bombing
A car bomb attack carried out by the Real Irish Republican Army killed 29 people and injured approximately 220 others in Omagh, Northern Ireland.
wardisaster
1999⚡ Event
Japan Adopts National Flag and Anthem Act
The Act on National Flag and Anthem was adopted, formally establishing the Hinomaru and "Kimigayo" as the Japanese national flag and anthem.
politicslaw
2000⚡ Event
Kursk Submarine Disaster
The Russian Navy submarine Kursk suffered an explosion and sank in the Barents Sea on August 12, 2000, during a military exercise, killing all 118 crew members.
wardisaster
2004⚡ Event
Hurricane Charley Strikes Florida
Merely 22 hours after Tropical Storm Bonnie struck Florida, Hurricane Charley inflicted further damage to the region.
disaster
2005⚡ Event
Helios Airways Flight 522 Crash
Helios Airways Flight 522 crashed into a mountain north of Marathon, Greece, killing all 121 people on board.
disastertechnology
2005⚡ Event
Helsinki Agreement Signed
The Helsinki Agreement between the Free Aceh Movement and the Government of Indonesia was signed, ending more than 28 years of fighting.
politicswar
2007⚡ Event
Yazidi Bombings in Iraq
Four coordinated suicide bomb attacks detonated in Yazidi communities in Iraq, killing 796 people and wounding 1,562 others.
disasterwar
2010⚡ Event
MV Sun Sea Incident
The MV Sun Sea docked in British Columbia after being boarded by Canadian authorities. The 492 Sri Lankan Tamil refugee claimants on board were placed into detention.
lawpolitics
2010⚡ Event
Youth Olympic Games Begin
The inaugural edition of the Youth Olympic Games opened in Singapore for athletes aged between 14 and 18.
sportsentertainment
2013⚡ Event
Rabaa Massacre
Security forces raided camps of ousted Egyptian president Mohamed Morsi supporters in Cairo, leading to the deaths of at least 595 civilians.
politicslaw
2016⚡ Event
First Beer Festival in North Korea
The state-owned Taedonggang Brewing Company inaugurated the first beer festival in North Korea on August 12, 2016.
entertainment
2021⚡ Event
Haiti Earthquake
A magnitude 7.2 earthquake struck Haiti, killing at least 2,248 people and causing significant damage.
disaster
Famous Birthdays This Week(15)
2000🎂 Birth
Tristan Charpentier
Tristan Charpentier, a French racing driver, was born on August 12, 2000.
sports
2001🎂 Birth
Dixie D'Amelio
Dixie D'Amelio, an American social media personality and singer, was born on August 12, 2001.
entertainment
Notable Deaths This Week(15)
2021🕊️ Death
Michael Aung-Thwin
Michael Aung-Thwin was an American historian and scholar of Burmese and Southeast Asian history.
literaturephilosophy
2023🕊️ Death
Delwar Hossain Sayeedi
Delwar Hossain Sayeedi was a Bangladeshi Islamic lecturer and politician.
religionpolitics
2024🕊️ Death
Greg Kihn
American singer-songwriter and guitarist Greg Kihn has died. He was born in 1949.
music
2024🕊️ Death
Frank Selvy
American basketball player and coach Frank Selvy has died. He was born in 1932.
sports
2025🕊️ Death
Mike Castle
Mike Castle was an American politician and the 69th Governor of Delaware.
politics
Trending Topics This Week
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