1. On August 12, 1936, the Hoosier state experienced its hottest temperature on record, with a scorching 116 degrees Fahrenheit in Collegeville.

2. August 12, 1861 saw the famous and tragic Battle of Wilson's Creek in Missouri, which claimed the lives of many Indiana soldiers fighting for the Union.

3. Indiana's beloved and iconic poet James Whitcomb Riley died on August 12, 1916 in Indianapolis. He is remembered for his charming and humorous depictions of Hoosier life.

4. The first electric traffic signal in the state of Indiana was installed in South Bend on August 12, 1913. It was a significant step forward for traffic safety and modernization.

5. On August 12, 1851, the Bowen-Merrill bookstore opened its doors in Indianapolis, quickly becoming a cultural hotspot for the city's bibliophiles. It remained in operation for over a century.