This Day In History : July 12

1957 United States

US Surgeon General Leroy Burney connects smoking with lung cancer

Surgeon General Leroy Burney stated the official position of the U.S. Public Health Service that there is a causal relationship between smoking and lung cancer.

Also on This Day in History July 12

Discover what happened on July 12 with HISTORY's summaries of major events, anniversaries,
famous births and notable deaths.

Births on This Day, July 12
  • 1854 George Eastman

    American businessman who founded Eastman Kodak

  • 1849 William Osler

    Canadian physician and author (circulatory system)

  • 1854 George Eastman

    American inventor (Kodak camera) and founder of the Eastman Kodak Company

  • 1895 Buckminster Fuller

    American architect and inventor (geodesic dome)

  • 1937 Robert McFarlane

    American Marine Corps veteran and civil servant (National Security Adviser, 1983-85), involved in the Space Defense Initiative, and Iran-Contra Affair

Deaths on This Day, July 12
  • 1934 Ole Evinrude

    Norwegian-American industrialist and inventor (outboard marine engine)

  • 1682 Jean Picard

    French astronomer, cartographer and hydraulic engineer who is regarded as the founder of modern astronomy in France

  • 1712 Richard Cromwell

    Lord Protector of the Commonwealth of England, Scotland and Ireland (1658-59)

  • 1910 Charles Rolls

    British aviator and auto manufacturer who co-founded Rolls Royce

  • 1996 Andrew Rodger Waterson

    Scottish zoologist, specializing in malacology (mollusks) and entomology (insects)

1785

1st manned flight by gas balloon in Netherlands

The first manned flight by gas balloon in the Netherlands took place on July 12, 1785. This historic flight was piloted by the French balloonist Jean-Pierre Blanchard, who ascended from the city of Utrecht and flew for approximately 2 hours, covering a distance of about 70 kilometers before landing safely.
1957

1st President to fly in helicopter-Dwight Eisenhower

Dwight D. Eisenhower was the first sitting president to fly in a helicopter. He did so on July 12, 1957, when he flew aboard a U.S. Army Bell H-13 Sioux helicopter from the White House to Camp David. This historic flight marked a significant milestone in presidential transportation and set a precedent for the use of helicopters by future presidents.
1985

STS 51-F launch scrubbed at T -3s because of main engine shutdown

The launch of Space Shuttle Challenger mission STS-51-F was indeed scrubbed just three seconds before liftoff on July 12, 1985. This was due to a premature shutdown of one of the main engines. The mission was later successfully launched on July 29, 1985.
2018

Republic of Ireland will be the first country to sell off its investments in fossil fuel companies after passing legislation in parliament

The Republic of Ireland indeed became the first country to pass legislation to divest its public funds from fossil fuel companies. The Fossil Fuel Divestment Bill was passed by the Irish Parliament on July 12, 2018. This legislation mandates the divestment of the Irish Strategic Investment Fund from fossil fuel companies, making Ireland a leader in the global movement to address climate change by reducing investments in fossil fuels.
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