Sunday, August 12, 2012

TODAY IN HISTORY

AUGUST 12

1990:While excavating on the Cheyenne River Indian Reservation in South Dakota, paleontologist Susan Hendrickson unearths one of the most complete Tyrannosaurus rex skeletons ever excavated. The fossilized 65 million-year-old dinosaur, nicknamed "Sue" after Hendrickson, is now on display at the Field Museum of Natural History in Chicago.

1883: The last living quagga dies at the Natura Artis Magistra zoo in Amsterdam, marking the extinction of this uniquely yellowish-brown colored zebra subspecies, once native to parts of South Africa. Since 1987, selective breeding has been underway to approximate the appearance of the quagga, based on its close similarities to the DNA of existing plains zebras.

1978: New York Patriots wide receiver Darryl Stingley is permanently paralyzed after colliding with Oakland Raiders defensive back Jack Tatum during a preseason game at the Oakland Coliseum. Stingley is the first professional football player to become permanently paralyzed as a result of an NFL game, but he would not be the last — Mike Utley of the Detroit Lions would be paralyzed from the chest down due to an injury sustained on the field against the Los Angeles Rams in November 1991.

1865:Joseph Lister (inventor of Listerine) first demonstrates use of antiseptic

1851:Isaac Singer patents sewing machine

1981:The IBM Personal Computer is introduced.

1961:Order signed to erect Berlin Wall; construction begins at midnight.
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