1. On August 12, 1899, the first section of the new Washington State Capitol building was dedicated. The building, which still stands today in Olympia, replaced the original capitol that was destroyed by fire in 1889.

2. Two significant labor strikes occurred on August 12 in Washington history. In 1935, the Seattle Post-Intelligencer newspaper workers went on strike, resulting in a shutdown of the paper for over four months. In 1981, air traffic controllers in Seattle went on strike in protest of working conditions and wages, leading to their eventual firing by President Ronald Reagan.

3. August 12 marks the birthday of several notable Washingtonians. One such person is Ed Wiley, a former NFL player for the Seahawks and University of Washington standout, who was born on this day in 1959. Another notable figure born on August 12 is Frances Farmer, a film actress and Seattle native who was infamous for her tumultuous personal life.

4. On August 12, 1955, the Columbia River Treaty was signed between the United States and Canada. The treaty established a framework for the shared use of the Columbia River basin for hydroelectric power and flood control purposes.

5. In 2017, August 12 was the date of the deadly Charlottesville rally in Virginia. While not directly related to Washington history, the incident prompted widespread conversation and action around issues of racism, white supremacy, and political violence in the United States.