1) In 1780, the Battle of Musgrove Mill occurred during the American Revolution. A small Patriot force, led by William Campbell, engaged and defeated a larger Loyalist force led by Patrick Ferguson. This battle helped boost morale for the Patriot cause in the South.

2) In 1896, the South Carolina Interstate and West Indian Exposition opened in Charleston. The exposition, which featured exhibits and demonstrations of agricultural, industrial, and cultural achievements, attracted over one million visitors during its six-month run.

3) On August 12, 1924, the Greenville News reported on a lynching that had occurred the previous night in Laurens County. A mob had broken into the county jail and lynched two African American men who were being held on charges of assault and attempted murder.

4) In 1949, the Fort Jackson Army base was established near Columbia. Today, it is the largest and most active Initial Entry Training Center in the U.S. Army, and has trained over 4 million soldiers since its inception.

5) The Columbia Museum of Art opened its doors on August 12, 1950. The museum, located in downtown Columbia, houses a diverse collection of over 25,000 works of art, ranging from ancient to contemporary, and includes both local and international artists.