What Happened on July 12, 1972

• Democrats nominated George McGovern for US president in Miami, Florida
• Twelve years after the banning of the ANC and Pan Africanist Congress, a new political movement, the Black People Convention is formed after a three day long conference in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa

• Brett Reed, American rock drummer (Rancid, 1991-2006 - "Time Bomb"), born in Oakland, California
• Jake Wood, English actor (Eastenders), born in London, England
• Tibor Benedek, Hungarian water polo player (Olympic gold 2000, 04, 08; World C'ship gold 2003) and coach (Hungary 2013-16), born in Budapest, Hungary (d. 2020)
• Travis Best, American basketball player (1995-2002 Indiana Pacers), born in Springfield, Massachusetts

Holidays: Battle of the Boyne (United Kingdom)

• #1 Song: Lean On Me - Bill Withers
• #1 Song: Puppy Love - Donny Osmond