What Happened on April 12

Complete Timeline — April 12 Through the Ages

1. 467

   Anthemius is elevated to Emperor of the Western Roman Empire by Leo I

   Procopius Anthemius (Ancient Greek: Προκόπιος Ανθέμιος, romanized: Prokópios Anthémios; died 11 July 472) was the Western Roman emperor from 467 to 472.

2. 1065

   Pilgrims under Bishop Gunther of Bamberg reach Jerusalem

   Gunther (1025/1030 – 23 July 1065) was a German nobleman and prelate of the Holy Roman Empire.

3. 1204

   The Fourth Crusade occupies and plunders Constantinople

   The Fourth Crusade (1202–1204) was a Latin Christian armed expedition called by Pope Innocent III.

4. 1229

   Queen Blanche of Castile & Earl Raymond VII of Toulouse sign peace

   Blanche of Castile (Spanish: Blanca de Castilla; French: Blanche de Castille; 4 March 1188 – 27 November 1252) was Queen of France by marriage to Louis VIII.

5. 1385

   Duke of Burgundy, John the Fearless, marries Margaret of Bavaria in political double wedding with his sister

   John I (French: Jean sans Peur ; Dutch: Jan zonder Vrees; 28 May 1371 – 10 September 1419) was a scion of the French royal family who ruled the Burgundian State from 1404 until his assassination in...

6. 1557

   Cuenca is founded in Ecuador

   Cuenca, officially Santa Ana de los Ríos de Cuenca, is an Ecuadorian city, head of the canton of the same name and capital of the province of Azuay, as well as its largest and most populated city.

7. 1583

   William I of Orange marries Louise de Coligny, daughter of the Admiral of France

   William I of Orange marries Louise de Coligny, daughter of the Admiral of France

8. 1606

   England adopts the Union Flag, replaced in 1801 by current Union Flag, also known as the Union Jack

   The Union Jack or Union Flag is the national flag of the United Kingdom. The flag consists of the red cross of Saint George (the patron saint of England), edged in white, superimposed on the red...

9. 1648

   University of Harderwijk opens in the Netherlands

   University of Harderwijk opens in the Netherlands

10. 1654

    Ordinance of Union between England and Scotland passed by the Council of State

    Ordinance of Union between England and Scotland passed by the Council of State

11. 1713

    Dutch State-Gen signs peace with France: Netherlands loses Orange Princedom

    Dutch State-Gen signs peace with France: Netherlands loses Orange Princedom

12. 1770

    British parliament repeals the Townshend Revenue Acts, which had fueled opposition to British rule in colonial America

    British parliament repeals the Townshend Revenue Acts, which had fueled opposition to British rule in colonial America

13. 1776

    Halifax resolution for independence adopted by North Carolina

    The Declaration of Independence, formally The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America in the original printing, is the founding document of the United States.

14. 1777

    Henry Clay is born

    Henry Clay, American politician, known for american politician, was born on 1777-04-12.

15. 1787

    Philadelphia's Free African Society forms

    The Free African Society (FAS), founded in 1787, was a benevolent organization that held religious services and provided mutual aid for "free Africans and their descendants" in Philadelphia.

16. 1811

    First US colonists on the Pacific coast arrive at Cape Disappointment, Washington

    First US colonists on the Pacific coast arrive at Cape Disappointment, Washington

17. 1817

    Charles Messier dies

    Charles Messier dies

18. 1820

    Alexander Ypsilantis is declared leader of Filiki Eteria, a secret organization founded in Odessa to overthrow Ottoman r

    Alexander Ypsilantis is declared leader of Filiki Eteria, a secret organization founded in Odessa to overthrow Ottoman rule of Greece

19. 1823

    Aleksandr Ostrovsky is born

    Aleksandr Ostrovsky, Russian playwright, known for russian playwright, was born on 1823-04-12.

20. 1826

    Weber's opera "Oberon" premieres in London

    Oberon, or The Elf-King's Oath (J. 306) is a 3-act romantic opera with spoken dialogue composed in 1825–26 by Carl Maria von Weber.

21. 1844

    Texan envoys sign Treaty of Annexation with the United States

    The Republic of Texas was the only state to enter by treaty into the United States and admitted to the Union as the 28th state on December 29, 1845. The Republic of Texas declared independence from...

22. 1858

    1st US billiards championship, Michael J Phelan wins in Detroit

    1st US billiards championship, Michael J Phelan wins in Detroit

23. 1859

    Hibernia Savings & Loan Society of San Francisco incorporates

    Hibernia Savings & Loan Society of San Francisco incorporates

24. 1861

    Fort Sumter in South Carolina is attacked by the Confederacy, beginning the American Civil War

    South Carolina was the first state to secede from the Union in December 1860, and was one of the founding member states of the Confederacy in February 1861. The bombardment of the beleaguered U.S.

25. 1862

    James Andrews steals Confederate train (General) at Kennesaw, Georgia

    James J. Andrews (1829 – June 7, 1862) was a Kentucky civilian who worked for the Union Army during the early years of the American Civil War.

26. 1863

    -14] Gunboat battle at Bayou Teche, Louisiana

    The 5th Louisiana Field Battery was an artillery unit recruited from volunteers in Louisiana that fought in the Confederate States Army during the American Civil War.

27. 1864

    Battle of Blair's Landing, Louisiana

    Battle of Blair's Landing, Louisiana

28. 1869

    North Carolina legislature passes anti-Ku Klux Klan Law

    The Ku Klux Klan, sometimes called the Klan, is an American Protestant-led white supremacist and far-right hate group.

29. 1876

    Canada's parliament passes the Indian Act to administer status and lands of First Nations People - primarily to assimila

    Canada's parliament passes the Indian Act to administer status and lands of First Nations People - primarily to assimilate them [1]

30. 1877

    British annex Transvaal, South Africa

    British annex Transvaal, South Africa

31. 1883

    French troops under lt-colonel Borgnis-Desbordes occupy Bamako Senegal

    Gustave Borgnis-Desbordes (22 October 1839 – 18 July 1900) was a French general. He was a major figure in the French Imperial conquest of the French Sudan, modern Mali.

32. 1892

    George C Blickensderfer patents portable typewriter

    A typewriter is a mechanical or electromechanical machine for typing characters. Typically, a typewriter has an array of keys, and each one causes a different single character to be produced on paper...

33. 1893

    "Massacre of Hoornkrans": Curt von François, colonial Governor of German South West Africa (now Nambia), leads attack by

    "Massacre of Hoornkrans": Curt von François, colonial Governor of German South West Africa (now Nambia), leads attack by 225 Schutztruppe soldiers on Nama leader Hendrik Witbooi's headquarters at Hoornkrans; shelling of the village causes tremendous civilian casualties. Witbooi escapes and wages sev

34. 1894

    British & Belgian secret accord on dividing Central Africa

    British & Belgian secret accord on dividing Central Africa

35. 1896

    Stamasia Portrisi is 1st woman to win a marathon (5:30 in Athens)

    Stamasia Portrisi is 1st woman to win a marathon (5:30 in Athens)

36. 1898

    US Army transfers Yerba Buena Island in San Francisco Bay to Navy

    US Army transfers Yerba Buena Island in San Francisco Bay to Navy

37. 1900

    The US Congress passes the Foraker Act, establishing Puerto Rico as an unincorporated territory (effective 1 May)

    The Foraker Act (Pub. L. 56–191, 31 Stat. 77, enacted April 12, 1900), officially called the Organic Act of 1900 and most commonly known by the name of its sponsor, Senator Joseph B.

38. 1905

    French Dufaux brothers test helicopter

    French Dufaux brothers test helicopter

39. 1907

    Belgium government of Paul Smet de Naeyer resigns

    Belgium government of Paul Smet de Naeyer resigns

40. 1908

    Fire at the Boston Blacking Company (producer of leather dyes), spreads by high wind, kills 19 and makes 17,000 homeless

    Fire at the Boston Blacking Company (producer of leather dyes), spreads by high wind, kills 19 and makes 17,000 homeless in Chelsea, Massachusetts

41. 1909

    Philadelphia's Shibe Park (later Connie Mack Stadium), baseball's first steel and concrete stadium, opens; Athletics win

    Philadelphia's Shibe Park (later Connie Mack Stadium), baseball's first steel and concrete stadium, opens; Athletics win 8-1 against Boston Red Sox

42. 1911

    First non-stop London-Paris flight by Pierre Prier in 3 hours and 56 minutes

    First non-stop London-Paris flight by Pierre Prier in 3 hours and 56 minutes

43. 1916

    Irish nationalist activist and poet Roger Casement boards submarine U-19 at Wilmshaven, Germany, bound for a rendezvous

    Irish nationalist activist and poet Roger Casement boards submarine U-19 at Wilmshaven, Germany, bound for a rendezvous with the Aud at Tralee

44. 1917

    Bijou Theater opens at 222 W 45th Street, NYC; demolished in 1982

    Bijou Theater opens at 222 W 45th Street, NYC; demolished in 1982

45. 1919

    British Parliament passes a 48-hour work week with minimum wages

    British Parliament passes a 48-hour work week with minimum wages

46. 1924

    WLS-AM in Chicago begins radio transmissions

    WLS-AM in Chicago begins radio transmissions

47. 1927

    Kuomintang leader Chiang Kai-shek begins a counter-revolution by violently suppressing Communist groups

    Kuomintang leader Chiang Kai-shek begins a counter-revolution by violently suppressing Communist groups

48. 1930

    4th Test Cricket WI v England ends in a draw after nine days

    The New Zealand men's national cricket team represents New Zealand in men's international cricket.

49. 1932

    "Grand Hotel" directed by Edmund Goulding and starring Greta Garbo and John Barrymore premieres in New York, includes th

    "Grand Hotel" directed by Edmund Goulding and starring Greta Garbo and John Barrymore premieres in New York, includes the line "I want to be alone" (Best Picture/Production 1932)

50. 1932

    Tiny Tim is born

    Tiny Tim, American musician, known for american musician and musical archivist, was born on 1932-04-12.

51. 1933

    US Navy commissions Air Station Sunnyvale (later renamed NAS Moffatt Field) in Santa Clara county, California (at the so

    US Navy commissions Air Station Sunnyvale (later renamed NAS Moffatt Field) in Santa Clara county, California (at the southern end of San Francisco Bay)

52. 1934

    Second highest ever wind speed of 372 km/h (231 mph) recorded on Mt Washington

    Mount Washington (Abenaki: Agiocochook) is an ultra-prominent mountain in the state of New Hampshire.

53. 1935

    American actress Mary Astor (28) divorces Dr. Franklyn Thorpe after 4 years of marriage

    American actress Mary Astor (28) divorces Dr. Franklyn Thorpe after 4 years of marriage

54. 1935

    First flight of the Bristol Blenheim

    The Bristol Blenheim is a British light bomber designed and built by the Bristol Aeroplane Company, which was used extensively in the first two years of the Second World War, with examples still...

55. 1937

    Engineer Frank Whittle ground-tests the first jet engine designed to power an aircraft in Rugby, England

    Air Commodore Sir Frank Whittle, (1 June 1907 – 8 August 1996) was an English engineer, inventor and Royal Air Force (RAF) air officer. He is credited with co-creating the turbojet engine.

56. 1938

    First US law requiring medical tests for marriage licenses in New York

    First US law requiring medical tests for marriage licenses in New York

57. 1940

    Italy annexes Albania

    Italy annexes Albania

58. 1940

    Alan Ayckbourn is born

    Alan Ayckbourn, British playwright, known for english playwright, was born on 1940-04-12. Sir Alan Ayckbourn is a prolific British playwright and director.

59. 1941

    Stanley Cup Final, Olympia Stadium, Detroit, MI: Boston Bruins defeat Detroit Red Wings, 3-1 for a 4-0 series sweep

    Stanley Cup Final, Olympia Stadium, Detroit, MI: Boston Bruins defeat Detroit Red Wings, 3-1 for a 4-0 series sweep

60. 1941

    Herbie Hancock is born

    Herbie Hancock, American musician, known for american jazz pianist and composer, was born on 1941-04-12. Herbert Jeffrey Hancock is an American jazz musician, bandleader, and composer.

61. 1942

    Japan kills about 400 Filipino officers in Bataan

    The Bataan Death March was the forcible transfer by the Imperial Japanese Army of around 72,000 to 78,000 Filipino (about 66,000) and American (about 12,000) prisoners of war (POWs) from the...

62. 1943

    Allies conquer Soussa, North-Africa

    Allies conquer Soussa, North-Africa

63. 1943

    Jacob Zuma is born

    Jacob Zuma is born

64. 1945

    Canadian troops liberate Nazi concentration camp Westerbork, Netherlands

    World War II in the Netherlands can be broken down into four periods: September 1939 to May 1940: After the war broke out, the Netherlands declared neutrality.

65. 1946

    Syria gains independence from France

    Since gaining full independence from France in 1946, Syria has used a number of different flags, all featuring the pan-Arab colors of green, black, white, and red.

66. 1948

    David Letterman is born

    David Letterman, American comedian and television host, known for american comedian and television host, was born on 1948-04-12.

67. 1951

    Israeli Knesset officially designates April 13 as Holocaust Day

    Israel, officially the State of Israel, is a country in the Southern Levant region of West Asia.

68. 1952

    Salaheddine Baccouche forms Tunisian government

    Salaheddine Baccouche forms Tunisian government

69. 1953

    Keizo Yamada runs fastest marathon to date, at Boston

    Keizo Yamada runs fastest marathon to date, at Boston

70. 1954

    Bill Haley & His Comets record "Rock Around the Clock"

    Bill Haley & His Comets were an American rock and roll band formed in 1947 and continuing until Haley's death in 1981. The band was also known as Bill Haley and the Comets and Bill Haley's Comets.

71. 1954

    Atlantic Records releases "Big" Joe Turner single "Shake, Rattle & Roll"; tops the R&B charts, and reaches #22 on the po

    Atlantic Records releases "Big" Joe Turner single "Shake, Rattle & Roll"; tops the R&B charts, and reaches #22 on the pop charts, before being covered by Bill Haley

72. 1955

    1st game in KC, KC A's beat Detroit Tigers, 6-2

    1st game in KC, KC A's beat Detroit Tigers, 6-2

73. 1956

    S.W.R.D. Bandaranaike's government takes office in Ceylon (now Sri Lanka)

    S.W.R.D. Bandaranaike's government takes office in Ceylon (now Sri Lanka)

74. 1957

    Jim Spalding set a 2,088 pin nine-game bowling record

    Jim Spalding set a 2,088 pin nine-game bowling record

75. 1958

    Flemish Open air museum opens in Bokrijk

    Flemish Open air museum opens in Bokrijk

76. 1958

    Vince Gill is born

    Vince Gill, American musician, known for american musician, was born on 1958-04-12. Vincent Grant Gill is an American singer, songwriter, and musician.

77. 1959

    13th Tony Awards: "J.B." (play) & "Redhead" (musical) win

    The 13th Annual Tony Awards took place at the Waldorf-Astoria Grand Ballroom on April 12, 1959, and was broadcast on local television station WCBS-TV in New York City.

78. 1960

    Archibald McIndoe dies

    Archibald McIndoe, New Zealand zealand plastic surgeon, known for new zealand plastic surgeon, died on 1960-04-12.

79. 1961

    Soviet cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin becomes the first human to travel into space and orbit Earth, aboard the Vostok 1 spacecra

    Soviet cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin becomes the first human to travel into space and orbit Earth, aboard the Vostok 1 spacecraft

80. 1961

    Ron MacLean is born

    Ron MacLean, Canadian athlete, known for canadian sportscaster, was born on 1961-04-12.

81. 1962

    San Mateo County withdraws from BART (San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit) district

    Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) is a rapid transit system serving the San Francisco Bay Area in California.

82. 1963

    Beatles third single, "From Me To You" is released in UK

    "From Me to You" is a song by the English rock band the Beatles that was released in April 1963 as their third single. It was written by John Lennon and Paul McCartney.

83. 1965

    1st regular season MLB game at Houston Astrodome; visiting Philadelphia Phillies beat Astros 2-0

    1st regular season MLB game at Houston Astrodome; visiting Philadelphia Phillies beat Astros 2-0

84. 1966

    1st B-52 bombing on North Vietnam

    The Vietnam War (1 November 1955 – 30 April 1975) was an armed conflict in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia fought between North Vietnam (Democratic Republic of Vietnam) and South Vietnam (Republic of...

85. 1969

    Simon & Garfunkel releases "Boxer"

    "The Boxer" is a song written by Paul Simon and recorded by the American music duo Simon & Garfunkel from their fifth and final studio album, Bridge over Troubled Water (1970).

86. 1971

    Shannen Doherty is born

    Shannen Doherty, American actress, known for american actress, was born on 1971-04-12. Shannen Maria Doherty (April 12, 1971 – July 13, 2024) was an American actress.

87. 1973

    France recognizes North Vietnam

    The Vietnam War (1 November 1955 – 30 April 1975) was an armed conflict in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia fought between North Vietnam (Democratic Republic of Vietnam) and South Vietnam (Republic of...

88. 1975

    Six Catholic civilians are killed in a Ulster Volunteer Force gun and grenade attack on Strand Bar in Belfast, North Ire

    Six Catholic civilians are killed in a Ulster Volunteer Force gun and grenade attack on Strand Bar in Belfast, North Ireland

89. 1975

    Josephine Baker dies

    Josephine Baker, American french entertainer, known for american and french entertainer, died on 1975-04-12.

90. 1978

    Gyorgy Ligeti's opera "Le Grand Macabre" premieres in Stockholm

    Le Grand Macabre (completed 1977, revised 1996) is the third stage production by Hungarian composer György Ligeti, and his only major stage-work.

91. 1980

    US Olympic Committee endorses a boycott of the Moscow summer Olympics

    The modern Olympic Games (Olympics; French: Jeux olympiques) are the world's preeminent international sporting events.

92. 1980

    BCMA, Black Consciousness Movement of Azania, forms

    The Black Consciousness Movement (BCM) was a grassroots anti-apartheid activist movement that emerged in South Africa in the mid-1960s out of the political vacuum created by the jailing and banning...

93. 1980

    Claire Danes is born

    Claire Danes, American actress, known for american actress, was born on 1980-04-12. Claire Catherine Danes is an American actress.

94. 1981

    Maiden voyage Space Transit System-space shuttle Columbia launched

    Maiden voyage Space Transit System-space shuttle Columbia launched

95. 1982

    3 CBS employees shot to death in NYC parking lot

    3 CBS employees shot to death in NYC parking lot

96. 1985

    16th Shuttle Mission (51D)-Discovery 4 launched-with Senator Jake Garn

    16th Shuttle Mission (51D)-Discovery 4 launched-with Senator Jake Garn

97. 1986

    20,000 mine workers protest closing of Hasselt Belgium mines

    20,000 mine workers protest closing of Hasselt Belgium mines

98. 1987

    Ahmed Salah wins 2nd World Cup marathon (2:10:55)

    Ahmed Salah wins 2nd World Cup marathon (2:10:55)

99. 1988

    Devils 4-2 over Islanders-Devils lead 3-2 in 1st round

    The New Jersey Devils are a professional ice hockey team based in Newark, New Jersey.

100. 1989

     Sugar Ray Robinson dies

     Sugar Ray Robinson boxer, known for american boxer, died on 1989-04-12. Walker Smith Jr.

101. 1990

     1st meeting of East German democratically elected parliament, acknowledges responsibility for the Holocaust and asks for

     1st meeting of East German democratically elected parliament, acknowledges responsibility for the Holocaust and asks for forgiveness

102. 1991

     2,500th episode of Entertainment Tonight airs

     2,500th episode of Entertainment Tonight airs

103. 1992

     Actress Lisa Bonet files for divorce from singer Lenny Kravitz, after 5 years of marriage

     Lilakoi Moon is an American actress. She is best known for portraying Denise Huxtable on the sitcom The Cosby Show (1984–1992), for which she earned widespread acclaim and a nomination for the…

104. 1992

     2nd lowest NBA scoring game - Detroit Pistons 72, NY Knicks 61

     2nd lowest NBA scoring game - Detroit Pistons 72, NY Knicks 61

105. 1993

     American Jeff Rouse swims world record 100m backstroke (51.43 sec) at Sheffield, England

     American Jeff Rouse swims world record 100m backstroke (51.43 sec) at Sheffield, England

106. 1994

     Canter & Siegel post the first commercial mass Usenet spam.

     Canter & Siegel post the first commercial mass Usenet spam.

107. 1995

     Saoirse Ronan is born

     Saoirse Ronan, American actress, known for american actress, was born on 1995-04-12. Saoirse Una Ronan ( SUR-shə OO-nə ROH-nən; born 12 April 1994) is an American-born Irish actress.

108. 1998

     An earthquake in Slovenia, measuring 5.6 on the Richter scale occurs near the town of Bovec.

     An earthquake in Slovenia, measuring 5.6 on the Richter scale occurs near the town of Bovec.

109. 2001

     David Hogg is born

     David Hogg, American gun control activist, known for american gun control activist, was born on 2001-04-12.

110. 2002

     Palestinian suicide bomber (female) kills 7 and injures 104 (among them 9 Arabs) at the Mahane Yehuda Market in Jerusale

     Palestinian suicide bomber (female) kills 7 and injures 104 (among them 9 Arabs) at the Mahane Yehuda Market in Jerusalem.

111. 2010

     A train derailed near Merano, Italy, after running into a landslide, causing nine deaths and injuring 28 people.

     The Merano derailment occurred on 12 April 2010 when a train derailed between Latsch and Kastelbell, near Merano, Italy, after running into a landslide, causing nine deaths and injuring 28 people.

112. 2012

     A ceasefire in the 2011-2012 Syrian uprising comes into effect

     The Syrian revolution was a series of mass protests and civilian uprisings throughout Syria – with a subsequent violent reaction by the Ba'athist regime – lasting from 2011 to 2024 as part of the...

113. 2013

     11 people are killed and 30 are injured in mosque attacks across Iraq

     11 people are killed and 30 are injured in mosque attacks across Iraq

114. 2014

     The new drug, ABT-450, with a 90-95% success rate for treating Hepatitis C, is announced

     The new drug, ABT-450, with a 90-95% success rate for treating Hepatitis C, is announced

115. 2019

     Melbourne captain Cameron Smith becomes highest point scorer in Australian Rugby League history; 49th minute penalty in

     Melbourne captain Cameron Smith becomes highest point scorer in Australian Rugby League history; 49th minute penalty in Storm's 18-12 win over North Queensland in Townsville takes him to 2,420; Hazem El Masri, 2,418

116. 2020

     Huge storm system produces more than 40 tornadoes in the US from Texas to South Carolina killing 32 people across six st

     Huge storm system produces more than 40 tornadoes in the US from Texas to South Carolina killing 32 people across six states

117. 2021

     Great Britain loosens its COVID-19 restrictions, opening pubs and shops after 175 days, the world's longest period of re

     Great Britain loosens its COVID-19 restrictions, opening pubs and shops after 175 days, the world's longest period of restrictions

118. 2022

     Global COVID-19 known cases pass 500 million, with 5.1 billion (66%) having received at least one vaccine shot [1]

     The COVID-19 pandemic in Vietnam has resulted in 11,624,000 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 43,206 deaths.

119. 2023

     Ghana is the first country to approve a new vaccine for malaria, Mosquirix (RTS,S), developed at Oxford University. It i

     Ghana is the first country to approve a new vaccine for malaria, Mosquirix (RTS,S), developed at Oxford University. It is the first major vaccine approved first in Africa. [1]

People Associated with April 12

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