Born June 12, 1864 Frank Chapman has been called the Dean of American Ornithologists. He spent most of his career with the American Museum of Natural History and produced 23 books on birds including “Bird Studies with a Camera,” “The Travels of Birds,” and “What Bird is That?” In 1900 he began the Christmas Bird Count, held every winter since.

Image via Wikimedia Commons, public domain in the US.

On June 12, 1864, over 100,000 troops of Grant’s Union Army of the Potomac began their crossing of the James River in Virginia.

Image: Pontoon bridge across James River at Powhatan Point on which Army of Potomac crossed, June, 1864 via LOC, no known restrictions

Chaplain Louis R. Goodrich, San Antonio, Texas, conducting services aboard an invasion bound ship.

June 12, 1944

Image via Wikimedia Commons, public domain

George H. W. Bush seated in a Grumman TBM Avenger in 1944

41st President of The United States George H. W. Bush was born on June 12, 1924 in Milton, Massachusetts.

via Wikimedia Commons, public domain

On June 12, 1987, President Ronald Reagan delivered a speech at Berlin’s Brandenburg Gate when he said “Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall.”

In November, 1989, for a variety of reasons, the Berlin Wall did indeed come down.

Image: White House Photographic Collection via Wikimedia Commons, public domain in the US

West Point – Ceremonies – The graduation of the June, 1918 class at the United State Military Academy, June 12, 1918

Image via Wikimedia Commons, public domain

On June 12, 1838, Iowa was organized as a territory. The act became effective in July of that year.

Image of a centennial stamp for the Territory of Iowa from 1938 via Wikimedia Commons, public domain

Chisos Ranger Station at Big Bend National Park in Texas.

On June 12, 1944, Big Bend National Park was established. Of the total 63 U.S. National Parks, Big Bend ranks 14th in size with over 800,000 acres.

It’s one of two U.S. National Parks in Texas.

Image by Jack Boucher that was taken during Mission 66
c. 1958-1962 via Wikimedia Commons, public domain

President Nixon and Tricia Nixon at the steps on the South Portico of the White House

– June 12, 1971

via Library of Congress, no known restrictions

On June 12, 1939, American golfer, Byron Nelson, won the U.S. Open.
Two years earlier he was hired as the head pro at the Reading Country Club in Reading, Pennsylvania.

Image of Nelson from 1944 via Wikimedia Commons, public domain

On June 12, 1939, the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York was dedicated.

Among the many artifacts at Cooperstown is this championship trophy known as the Temple Cup which was provided by Pittsburgh Pirates co-owner William Chase Temple.
The cup was awarded to baseball’s champion from 1894-1897. It was later donated to the Hall of Fame by Temple’s daughter in 1951.

Image via Wikimedia Commons, public domain

Jim Nabors was born on June 12, 1930 in Sylacauga, Alabama.

After graduating from the University of Alabama, Jim Nabors lived in New York City for a year and was a typist for the United Nations during that time.

Image of Jim Nabors c. 1965 via Wikimedia Commons, public domain