July 12

70 – The armies of Titus begin the attack on the walls of Jerusalem after a 6 month siege

1191 – Saladin’s garrison surrenders to Philip Augustus, ending the 2 year long siege of Acre during the 3rd Crusade

1804 – Alexander Hamilton dies the day after being shot by Aaron Burr in a duel.

1812 – The American Army of the Northwest briefly occupies the Upper Canadian settlement at what is now Windsor, Ontario during the War of 1812.

1862 – The Medal of Honor is authorized by Congress.

1967 – Riots, lasting over 4 days, begin in Newark, New Jersey over an incident of police brutality, resulting in 26 deaths

1973 – A fire destroys the entire 6th floor of the National Personnel Records Center of the United States in St Louis.

2001 – Space Shuttle Atlantis is launched on mission STS-104, carrying the Quest Joint Airlock to the International Space Station.