December 12 stands as a significant date woven with diverse historical threads. From pivotal battles and tragic massacres to groundbreaking scientific achievements and cultural milestones, this day has witnessed events that shaped the world. Notable figures were born, others passed, and records were set in sports. What specific moments defined this date across centuries? Uncover the stories that mark December 12 as a remarkable chapter in history.
History
Major Historical Events
1862 – American Civil War Battle of Fredericksburg: During the American Civil War, Confederate forces under General Robert E. Lee achieved a decisive victory over Union troops led by General Ambrose Burnside in Fredericksburg, Virginia.
The battle was marked by devastating Union losses as repeated frontal assaults against well-entrenched Confederate positions on Marye’s Heights failed, resulting in over 12,000 Union casualties compared to fewer than 5,000 for the Confederacy.
1917 – Father Edward J. Flanagan Founds Boys Town: In Omaha, Nebraska, Father Edward J. Flanagan established Boys Town, originally called the “City of Little Men,” as a home for wayward boys.
This innovative community aimed to provide care, education, and a sense of family for orphaned or troubled youths, growing into a model for child welfare programs worldwide.
1937 – Second Sino-Japanese War, Nanjing Massacre Begins: Japanese forces captured the Chinese city of Nanjing, marking the start of the infamous Nanjing Massacre.
Over the following six weeks, Japanese troops committed widespread atrocities, including mass killings, rape, and looting, resulting in the deaths of an estimated 200,000 to 300,000 Chinese civilians and soldiers.
2000 – U.S. Supreme Court Decides Bush v. Gore: The U.S. Supreme Court issued a landmark 5-4 decision in Bush v. Gore, effectively halting the Florida vote recount and awarding the presidency to George W. Bush over Al Gore.
This controversial ruling resolved the disputed 2000 presidential election, shaping American political history.
Famous Birthdays
1915 – Frank Sinatra: The legendary American singer and actor, often referred to as “Ol’ Blue Eyes,” was born in Hoboken, New Jersey.
Sinatra became one of the most influential entertainers of the 20th century, known for hits like “My Way” and his roles in films such as From Here to Eternity, for which he won an Academy Award.
1923 – Bob Barker: The iconic American television game show host was born in Darrington, Washington.
Barker is best known for hosting The Price Is Right for 35 years, becoming a household name and an advocate for animal rights with his famous sign-off urging viewers to spay or neuter their pets.
1970 – Jennifer Connelly: The acclaimed American actress was born in Cairo, New York.
Connelly gained recognition for roles in films like Labyrinth and won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her performance in A Beautiful Mind, showcasing her versatility across genres.
1981 – Yuvraj Singh: The Indian cricketer, known for his aggressive batting and all-round skills, was born in Chandigarh, India.
Yuvraj played a pivotal role in India’s 2011 Cricket World Cup victory and is celebrated for hitting six sixes in an over during the 2007 T20 World Cup.
1991 – Daniel Magder: The Canadian actor was born in Toronto, Ontario.
Magder is best known for his role as Edwin Venturi in the family comedy series Life with Derek, which aired on Disney Channel and gained a dedicated following among young viewers.
Notable Deaths
1858 – Jacques Viger: The first mayor of Montreal, Canada, passed away at the age of 71.
Viger played a significant role in the early development of the city and was a prominent historian, preserving much of Quebec’s cultural heritage through his writings and research.
1968 – Tallulah Bankhead: The American actress and stage performer died at the age of 66 in New York City.
Known for her distinctive voice and larger-than-life personality, Bankhead starred in films like Lifeboat and was a celebrated Broadway icon.
1999 – Joseph Heller: The American author, best known for his satirical novel Catch-22, passed away at 76 in East Hampton, New York.
Heller’s work became a defining critique of war and bureaucracy, influencing generations of writers and readers.
Today in Music History
1963 – The Beatles Reach Number One in the UK with “I Want to Hold Your Hand”: The Beatles achieved their third UK number-one single with “I Want to Hold Your Hand,” which topped the charts for five weeks.
This song marked a significant milestone in their rise to global fame, also becoming their first number-one hit in the United States the following month.
1970 – The Doors’ Final Performance with Jim Morrison: The Doors performed what would be their last live concert with lead singer Jim Morrison at The Warehouse in New Orleans.
Morrison’s erratic behavior during the show signaled the beginning of the end for the band’s original lineup before his death in 1971.
1985 – Dionne Warwick Receives a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame: American singer Dionne Warwick was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for her contributions to music.
Known for hits like “Walk On By” and her collaborations with Burt Bacharach, Warwick’s career has spanned decades and genres.
Today in Sports History
1930 – Baseball Rules Committee Approves Bat Changes: Major League Baseball’s rules committee approved the use of a livelier baseball, aiming to increase offensive output in games.
This decision marked a shift in the sport’s dynamics, favoring hitters over pitchers during the early 20th century.
1965 – Gale Sayers Scores Six Touchdowns: Chicago Bears rookie running back Gale Sayers made NFL history by scoring six touchdowns in a single game against the San Francisco 49ers, tying a league record.
His performance remains one of the most iconic in football history.
2012 – Manny Pacquiao Knocked Out by Juan Manuel Márquez: Filipino boxing legend Manny Pacquiao suffered a shocking knockout loss to Juan Manuel Márquez in the sixth round of their fourth fight in Las Vegas.
This bout ended one of boxing’s most storied rivalries with a dramatic conclusion.
Today in Military and Naval History
1862 – USS Cairo Sinks in the Yazoo River: During the American Civil War, the USS Cairo, a Union ironclad gunboat, became the first ship sunk by a naval mine (then called a torpedo) in the Yazoo River, Mississippi.
The wreck was later recovered and is now displayed at Vicksburg National Military Park.
1917 – U.S. Navy Battleship USS Wyoming Arrives in Europe: The USS Wyoming joined the British Grand Fleet at Scapa Flow, Scotland, as part of the U.S. contribution to World War I naval operations.
This marked a significant step in Allied cooperation against German naval forces.
1941 – U.S. Declares War on Germany and Italy: Following Japan’s attack on Pearl Harbor and subsequent declarations of war by Axis powers, the United States officially declared war on Germany and Italy, fully entering World War II on multiple fronts.
1979 – NATO Approves Deployment of Cruise and Pershing Missiles: During the Cold War, NATO ministers agreed to deploy U.S. cruise and Pershing II missiles in Western Europe as a counter to Soviet SS-20 missiles, escalating tensions in the arms race.
Today in Tech and Science History
1901 – First Transatlantic Radio Signal Received: Italian inventor Guglielmo Marconi successfully received the first transatlantic radio signal, sent from Poldhu, Cornwall, England, to Signal Hill in Newfoundland, Canada.
This breakthrough marked the beginning of global wireless communication.
1967 – First Successful Heart Transplant Performed: South African surgeon Christiaan Barnard performed the world’s first successful human heart transplant in Cape Town.
Although the patient, Louis Washkansky, survived only 18 days, this milestone paved the way for future advancements in organ transplantation.
1997 – Kyoto Protocol Adopted: The Kyoto Protocol, an international treaty to combat climate change by reducing greenhouse gas emissions, was adopted in Kyoto, Japan.
This agreement became a foundational step in global environmental policy.
Today in Art, Literature, and Culture
1821 – Gustave Flaubert Born: The influential French novelist, known for his masterpiece Madame Bovary, was born in Rouen, France.
Flaubert’s meticulous style and focus on realism revolutionized modern literature, inspiring countless writers.
1953 – Chuck Berry Records First Song: Rock and roll pioneer Chuck Berry recorded his first single, “Maybellene,” with Chess Records in Chicago.
This track became a defining hit in the genre, cementing Berry’s legacy as a founding father of rock music.
1980 – Leonardo da Vinci’s Notebook Sold at Auction: A notebook of Leonardo da Vinci’s scientific writings and sketches, known as the Leicester Codex, was sold at Christie’s in London for a record-breaking price.
Later purchased by Bill Gates in 1994, it remains a tribute to da Vinci’s genius.
Funny & Weird Historical Facts
1939 – Gone with the Wind Premiere Causes Traffic Chaos: When Gone with the Wind premiered in Atlanta, Georgia, the event drew such massive crowds that it caused significant traffic jams and led to a citywide holiday being declared.
The film’s stars, including Clark Gable, were mobbed by adoring fans.
1968 – Mouse Makes TV Debut: The first computer mouse, invented by Douglas Engelbart, was publicly demonstrated at a conference in San Francisco.
This quirky-looking device, made of wood with a single button, revolutionized how we interact with technology.
2006 – Man Survives 47-Story Fall: In a bizarre incident, a window washer named Alcides Moreno survived a 47-story fall from a Manhattan skyscraper after his scaffolding collapsed.
Miraculously, he recovered after months in a coma, baffling doctors with his survival.
Today in History for Kids
1901 – First Radio Message Across the Ocean: A long time ago, a man named Guglielmo Marconi sent a special message using radio waves all the way across the Atlantic Ocean, from England to Canada.
This was like sending a text message without phones, and it showed the world that people could talk to each other from very far away.
1917 – Boys Town is Started: A kind priest named Father Flanagan started a special home called Boys Town in Nebraska for boys who didn’t have families or needed help.
It was like a big, caring family where they could learn, play, and grow up safe.
1967 – First Heart Transplant: A doctor in South Africa did something amazing by giving a sick person a new heart from someone else.
Even though the patient didn’t live very long, it was the first step to helping many people with heart problems in the future.
1985 – Dionne Warwick Gets a Star: A famous singer named Dionne Warwick got a shiny star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
She sang beautiful songs that lots of people loved, and this star was a way to say “thank you” for her music.
Today in History Trivia & Interesting Facts
1862 – Battle of Fredericksburg’s Grim Toll: During the Battle of Fredericksburg, Union soldiers faced such heavy losses that the event became known as one of the most lopsided defeats in American Civil War history.
With some units losing over 50% of their men in a single day.
1901 – Marconi’s Signal Mystery: When Guglielmo Marconi received the first transatlantic radio signal, the message was simply the letter “S” in Morse code, repeated three times.
Some doubted the achievement at the time, but it was later confirmed as a historic success.
1937 – Nanjing’s Tragic Scale: The Nanjing Massacre, which began on this day, is remembered as one of the darkest episodes of the 20th century.
Historians still debating the exact number of victims due to the destruction of records by Japanese forces.
1965 – Gale Sayers’ Muddy Miracle: Gale Sayers’ record-tying six-touchdown game for the Chicago Bears happened on a muddy field in terrible weather.
Making his speed and skill even more impressive to fans and players alike.
2000 – Election Drama Ends: The Bush v. Gore Supreme Court decision on this day ended a 36-day recount battle in Florida.
With just 537 votes separating the candidates in the state, making it one of the closest presidential elections in U.S. history.