August 12
This day in history:
- 1898 – The Hawaiian flag is lowered from ʻIolani Palace in an elaborate annexation ceremony and replaced with the flag of the United States to signify the transfer of sovereignty from the Republic of Hawaii to the United States where it is formally recognized as Hawaii.
- 1976 – Between 1,000 and 3,500 Palestinians are killed in the Tel al-Zaatar massacre, one of the bloodiest events of the Lebanese Civil War.
- 1914 – World War I: France, the United Kingdom and the British Empire declare war on Austria-Hungary.
- 1164 – Battle of Harim: Nur ad-Din Zangi defeats the Crusader armies of the County of Tripoli and the Principality of Antioch.
Births:
- 1928 – Charles Blackman, Australian painter and illustrator (died 2018)
- 1939 – David Jacobs, American television writer and producer (died 2023)
- 1992 – Teo Gheorghiu, Swiss pianist and actor
Deaths:
- 960 – Li Gu, chancellor of Later Zhou (born 903)
- 1941 – Bobby Peel, English cricketer and umpire (born 1857)
- 2005 – John Loder, English sound engineer and producer, founded Southern Studios (born 1946)
Holidays:
- HM the Queen Mother's Birthday and National Mother's Day (Thailand)
- World Elephant Day (International)
- International Youth Day (United Nations)
Random Article of the day:
Benn Karr