1. Ohio became the 17th state in the United States on July 12, 1803. After years of being a part of the Northwest Territory, Ohio officially gained statehood, paving the way for other territories to become states as well.

2. The Wright brothers, Orville and Wilbur, made aviation history on July 12, 1909, when they flew their airplane for the first time at Huffman Prairie near Dayton, Ohio. This flight had a significant impact on the development of aviation and paved the way for future advancements in flight technology.

3. Ohio native and legendary basketball coach, Bob Knight, was born on July 12, 1940. Knight went on to have a successful coaching career, including leading Indiana University to three NCAA championships and setting the record for most wins by a men's college basketball coach.

4. On July 12, 1979, a major blackout occurred in the city of Akron. The blackout was caused by a lightning strike on a power station and resulted in widespread power outages throughout the city, leaving over 200,000 residents without electricity for hours.

5. The Ohio State Reformatory in Mansfield, Ohio, opened its doors to the public as a museum on July 12, 1995. The prison was closed in 1990 after over 100 years in operation and has since become a popular tourist destination, known for its distinctive architecture and role in popular culture, including as a filming location for the movie, The Shawshank Redemption.