On this day, July 12

1862 During the Civil War, President Abraham Lincoln signed a bill authorizing the Army Medal of Honor.

1918 Pittsburgh ranked third in the nation in per capita sales of war savings stamps.

1928 The Pennsylvania Superior Court approved Sunday symphony concerts for Pittsburgh. The Sabbath Association announced it intended nevertheless to demand enforcement of the blue laws of 1794.

1984 Democratic presidential candidate Walter F. Mondale announced his choice of U. S. Rep. Geraldine A. Ferraro of New York to be his running mate, the first woman to run for vice president on a major- party ticket.

1997 Francisco Cordova and Ricardo Rincon pitched the first combined extra- inning no- hitter in major league history and the third no- hit performance at Three Rivers Stadium as the Pirates defeated the Houston Astros, 3- 0, in 10 innings. A three- run homer by pinch- hitter Mark Smith accounted for all of the scoring.

2009 Rebels in Nigeria set fire to an oil depot and tankers in Lagos, killing five people in the group’s first attack outside the Delta region. Some items are from Stefan Lorant’s “Pittsburgh: The Story of an American City” ( digital. library. pitt. edu/ chronology). Today’s birthdays: Movie director Monte Hellman, 90. Fitness guru Richard Simmons, 71. Writer- producer Brian Grazer, 68. Actress Cheryl Ladd, 68. Country singer Julie Miller, 63. Gospel singer Sandi Patty, 63. Rock guitarist Dan Murphy ( Soul Asylum), 57. Rock singer Robin Wilson ( Gin Blossoms), 54. Olympic gold- medal figure skater Kristi Yamaguchi, 48. Rapper Magoo, 46. CBS newsman Jeff Glor, 44. Actor Topher Grace, 41. Actress Michelle Rodriguez, 41. Actress Kristen Connolly, 39. Country singer- musician Kimberly Perry ( The Band Perry), 36. Actress Ta’Rhonda Jones, 31. Golfer Inbee Park, 31. Actor Erik Per Sullivan, 28. Olympic gold- medal gymnast Jordyn Wieber, 24. Nobel Peace laureate Malala Yousafzai, 22.

Thought for today: “A man who fears suffering is already suffering from what he fears.” — Michel de Montaigne, French philosopher ( 1533- 1592)