Today in history, August 12: A day of remarkable achievements and lasting legacies

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August 12 is a day rich with history, filled with remarkable discoveries and events that have left a lasting impact. It's also a day to remember the influential individuals who were born, shaping the world in their unique ways, and those whose legacies continue to inspire us even after their passing. Let's delve into the stories that make this day truly special.

On this day in 1990, American palaeontologist Sue Hendrickson made an extraordinary find in the state of South Dakota. She uncovered the fossilised remains of a Tyrannosaurus rex, which would later be affectionately named "Sue" in her honour. This colossal creature, believed to have stood 14 feet tall when alive, remains one of the most significant dinosaur discoveries to date.

August 12, 1981, marked a pivotal moment in the history of computing as the IBM Personal Computer, also known as the IBM 5150, became available in stores for the first time. Retailing for approximately $1500, the initial model lacked disk drives but set the stage for the personal computing revolution that would follow.

A tragic chapter of the Lebanese Civil War unfolded on this day in 1976, when about 3,000 refugees were killed at the UN-run Tel al-Zaatar Palestinian refugee camp near Beirut. The camp had been besieged by members of the right-wing extremist Phalange group, resulting in one of the war’s most horrific massacres.

August 12, 1883, witnessed the extinction of a species as the last known quagga died at the Natura Artis Magistra zoo in Amsterdam. The quagga, a unique zebra native to South Africa with stripes only on the front part of its body, was driven to extinction due to human activity, particularly excessive hunting for its skin and meat.

American astronomer Asaph Hall made a groundbreaking discovery on August 12, 1877, when he identified Deimos, one of Mars' two natural satellites, from the United States Naval Observatory in Washington, D.C. This discovery was shortly followed by Hall’s identification of Phobos, Mars' other moon, which is larger and closer to the planet.

• 1990: Mario Balotelli, celebrated Italian footballer
• 1983: Klaas-Jan Huntelaar, accomplished Dutch footballer
• 1949: Mark Knopfler, iconic English singer-songwriter and guitarist
• 1930: George Soros, influential Hungarian-American financier and philanthropist
• 1924: Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq, controversial Pakistani politician and 6th President of Pakistan

• 1992: John Cage, innovative American composer
• 1982: Henry Fonda, legendary American actor and producer
• 1964: Ian Fleming, renowned English journalist and author
• 1900: Wilhelm Steinitz, pioneering Austrian-American chess player
• 1827: William Blake, visionary English poet and painter

August 12 captures the essence of human achievement and the passage of time. Reflecting on the lives of those born and lost, along with the day’s historic events, reminds us of history's evolving tapestry that continues to inspire and teach.