"The best time to look for these 'traditional Perseids' is during the hours before dawn on Thursday, August 12th. Set your alarm for 2 o'clock in the morning; go outside; lie down on a sleeping bag with your toes pointed northeast. You'll soon see meteors racing along the Milky Way."

http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2004/25jun_perseids2004.htm