On this day: August 12
NASA Launches Reconnaissance Satellite at Cold War Height
On August 12, 1960, the United States launched a reconnaissance satellite amid heightened Cold War tensions, reflecting rapid advances in space-based intelligence and the strategic imperative to monitor Soviet capabilities.
Olympic medal revoked after long-running eligibility deception
An athlete who received an Olympic medal on August 12, 2016, has been stripped of that honor after investigations found sustained deception about eligibility; national and international sporting bodies have amended results and are reviewing disciplinary records.
Berlin Airlift Tensions Peak During Cold War Standoff
On 12 August 1948 the Berlin Airlift reached a critical phase as Western and Soviet authorities intensified moves around the divided city, underscoring the stakes of the emerging Cold War and the effort to sustain West Berlin by air.
My Lai Massacre Revealed to the Public
On August 12, 1969, news that U.S. Army personnel had killed hundreds of Vietnamese civilians in the village of My Lai became widely known, prompting national outrage, congressional inquiries, and renewed debate over the Vietnam War.
Russian Nuclear Submarine Kursk Sinks After Explosion, All 118 On Board Lost
On 12 August 2000 the Russian Oscar II–class submarine Kursk suffered catastrophic explosions during a Northern Fleet exercise in the Barents Sea and sank to the seabed; all 118 crew members aboard died. Investigations cited an internal torpedo explosion as the likely trigger amid debates over rescue timing and response.