1. In 1898, the annexation of Brooklyn, Queens, Staten Island, and the Bronx to New York City was signed into law on August 12. This created the present-day five boroughs of New York City.

2. On August 12, 1921, New York City's first radio station, WEAF, began broadcasting. It was owned by AT&T and aired music and news programs.

3. In 1960, on August 12, the opening ceremonies were held for the Summer Olympics in Rome, Italy. New York's own Wilma Rudolph, a track and field athlete, won three gold medals in the games.

4. On August 12, 1981, IBM introduced its first personal computer, the IBM PC. This event marked the beginning of the personal computer era that has transformed the world.

5. In 2003, on August 12, New York's City Council voted to allow smoking in up to 20% of hotel rooms. This decision was met with criticism for allowing smoking in public spaces and potentially exposing employees to secondhand smoke.