Today even the homepage of Google presents a very special image, because this is the proper time to observe  the Perseids meteor shower. Indeed, though the period in which you can see them in the night sky extends from late July to about August 20, the “peak” for the probability to see them is exactly on the night of August 12. The Perseids shower happens because the Earth passes  through debris from the Swift-Tuttle comet.

If you want more detailed information, you can refer to the NASA website, which also offers some advice for the best viewing.