September 12 has witnessed pivotal moments that shaped history across various spheres. From political shifts with Adolf Hitler’s entry into the German Workers’ Party in 1919 to cultural milestones like Frank Sinatra’s chart-topping hit in 1954, the day carries significant weight. Scientific breakthroughs and personal triumphs also mark this date. What other events define September 12, and how do they connect to broader historical narratives? Explore further to uncover these stories.
History
Major Historical Events
1919 – Adolf Hitler Joins the German Workers’ Party: On this day, Adolf Hitler attended a meeting of the German Workers’ Party in Munich, marking the beginning of his involvement in politics.
This small nationalist group would later evolve into the Nazi Party under his leadership, playing a significant role in the events leading to World War II.
1940 – Lascaux Cave Paintings Discovered: A group of teenagers stumbled upon the Lascaux Cave in France, revealing prehistoric paintings dating back over 17,000 years.
These remarkable artworks, depicting animals and hunting scenes, are considered some of the finest examples of Paleolithic art and provide insight into early human culture.
1953 – John F. Kennedy Marries Jacqueline Bouvier: Future U.S. President John F. Kennedy wed Jacqueline Bouvier in Newport, Rhode Island, in a highly publicized ceremony.
Their marriage became an iconic symbol of American glamour and remains a notable moment in modern history.
1974 – Emperor Haile Selassie Deposed in Ethiopia: The long-reigning Emperor Haile Selassie of Ethiopia was overthrown in a military coup by the Derg, a Marxist-Leninist junta.
This event marked the end of centuries of monarchy in Ethiopia and led to significant political upheaval in the country.
1992 – Space Shuttle Endeavour Launched on STS-47: NASA’s Space Shuttle Endeavour launched on mission STS-47, carrying the first married couple to fly in space together, Mark Lee and Jan Davis.
This mission also included the first African American woman in space, Mae Jemison, marking a historic milestone in space exploration.
Famous Birthdays
1880 – H.L. Mencken: American journalist, satirist, and cultural critic Henry Louis Mencken was born in Baltimore, Maryland.
Known for his sharp wit and criticism of American society, Mencken became a prominent figure in early 20th-century literature and journalism.
1913 – Jesse Owens: The legendary American track and field athlete Jesse Owens was born in Oakville, Alabama.
Owens is best remembered for winning four gold medals at the 1936 Berlin Olympics, defying Nazi propaganda about Aryan supremacy.
1944 – Barry White: The iconic American singer-songwriter and producer Barry White was born in Galveston, Texas.
Known for his deep, soulful voice and romantic ballads, White became a defining figure in the disco and R&B genres.
1981 – Jennifer Hudson: American singer and actress Jennifer Hudson was born in Chicago, Illinois.
Rising to fame as a contestant on “American Idol,” Hudson later won an Academy Award for her role in “Dreamgirls,” establishing herself as a multifaceted talent.
Notable Deaths
1977 – Steve Biko: South African anti-apartheid activist Steve Biko died in police custody in Pretoria after suffering severe injuries during interrogation.
His death sparked international outrage and became a rallying point in the fight against apartheid.
1994 – Tom Ewell: American actor Tom Ewell passed away at the age of 85 in Woodland Hills, California.
Best known for his role in the film “The Seven Year Itch” alongside Marilyn Monroe, Ewell had a successful career in both film and theater.
2003 – Johnny Cash: The legendary American singer-songwriter Johnny Cash died at the age of 71 in Nashville, Tennessee.
Known as the “Man in Black,” Cash left an indelible mark on country, rock, and folk music with his raw, emotional storytelling.
Today in Music History
1954 – Frank Sinatra Tops the Charts: Frank Sinatra’s single “Three Coins in the Fountain” reached number one on the Billboard charts, solidifying his status as one of the era’s most popular crooners.
The song, tied to the film of the same name, became a timeless classic.
1970 – Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young Perform at Fillmore East: The supergroup Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young played a memorable concert at the Fillmore East in New York City, showcasing their harmonious blend of folk and rock during a peak moment in their career.
1997 – Radiohead Releases “Karma Police”: British rock band Radiohead released their single “Karma Police” from the album “OK Computer.”
The haunting track became one of their most iconic songs, resonating with fans worldwide.
2006 – Bob Dylan’s “Modern Times” Debuts at Number One: Bob Dylan’s album “Modern Times” debuted at the top of the Billboard 200 chart, marking a late-career triumph for the folk-rock legend and proving his enduring relevance in music.
Today in Sports History
1913 – Jesse Owens Born: As noted in the birthdays section, Jesse Owens, one of the greatest Olympians in history, was born on this day in Alabama.
His achievements at the 1936 Olympics remain a powerful symbol of athletic excellence and resistance against oppression.
1953 – First Color TV Boxing Match Broadcast: The boxing match between Rocky Marciano and Roland La Starza was broadcast in color for the first time on American television, marking a significant moment in sports broadcasting history.
1979 – Carl Yastrzemski Reaches 3,000 Hits: Boston Red Sox legend Carl Yastrzemski became the first American League player to achieve 3,000 career hits during a game against the New York Yankees, cementing his place in baseball history.
Today in Military and Naval History
1814 – Battle of North Point in the War of 1812: During the War of 1812, American forces successfully defended Baltimore against British troops at the Battle of North Point.
This victory was a key moment leading up to the defense of Fort McHenry and the inspiration for “The Star-Spangled Banner.”
1942 – RMS Laconia Sunk by German U-Boat: The British ocean liner RMS Laconia, carrying civilians and Italian prisoners of war, was torpedoed by a German U-boat off the coast of West Africa.
The tragedy led to the “Laconia Order,” impacting submarine warfare tactics during World War II.
1958 – U.S. Navy’s First Nuclear-Powered Aircraft Carrier Keel Laid: The keel for the USS Enterprise, the world’s first nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, was laid at Newport News Shipbuilding in Virginia, marking a new era in naval technology.
Today in Tech and Science History
1958 – First Integrated Circuit Demonstrated: Jack Kilby, an engineer at Texas Instruments, demonstrated the first working integrated circuit, a groundbreaking invention that revolutionized electronics and paved the way for modern computing.
1992 – Mae Jemison Becomes First African American Woman in Space: As part of the STS-47 mission on the Space Shuttle Endeavour, Dr. Mae Jemison made history as the first African American woman to travel into space, inspiring generations of scientists and explorers.
2005 – Hong Kong Disneyland Opens: Hong Kong Disneyland officially opened to the public, becoming the first Disney theme park in China and marking a significant expansion of Disney’s global presence.
Today in Art, Literature, and Culture
1940 – Lascaux Cave Paintings Discovered: As mentioned earlier, the discovery of the Lascaux Cave paintings in France on this day revealed some of the oldest and most stunning examples of prehistoric art, offering a window into ancient human expression.
1952 – “The Old Man and the Sea” Published: Ernest Hemingway’s novella “The Old Man and the Sea” was published in its entirety in Life magazine, later earning him the Pulitzer Prize and contributing to his Nobel Prize win.
1966 – “The Monkees” TV Show Premieres: The television series “The Monkees,” following the adventures of a fictional rock band, premiered on NBC, becoming a cultural phenomenon and launching the careers of its stars.
1986 – “Captain EO” Debuts at Disneyland: The 3D science fiction film “Captain EO,” starring Michael Jackson and directed by Francis Ford Coppola, premiered at Disneyland, blending music, dance, and cutting-edge special effects for theme park audiences.
Funny & Weird Historical Facts
1909 – First Recorded Use of “SOS” in America: The distress signal “SOS” was reportedly used for the first time in the United States when the steamship Arapahoe sent the signal after losing its propeller off the coast of North Carolina, marking a quirky milestone in communication history.
1970 – Concorde Makes First Supersonic Flight Across Atlantic: The Concorde, the iconic supersonic jet, made its first transatlantic flight from France to Venezuela, astonishing the world with its speed—though some passengers reportedly found the tiny windows hilariously underwhelming for such a futuristic plane.
1991 – Odd Discovery at Lascaux Cave: On the anniversary of its discovery, researchers at Lascaux Cave found unusual graffiti left by early 20th-century vandals, a bizarre reminder that even ancient treasures aren’t immune to human mischief.
Today in History for Kids
1940 – Amazing Cave Art Found: Teenagers in France discovered the Lascaux Cave paintings on this day, showing animals and hunters from thousands of years ago.
It’s like finding a secret art gallery made by people who lived before cars or computers!
1958 – Tiny Chip Changes the World: A scientist named Jack Kilby showed off the first integrated circuit, a super small piece of tech that helps make computers, phones, and games work today.
Imagine squeezing a whole machine into something smaller than a coin!
1992 – First African American Woman in Space: Mae Jemison blasted off into space on the Space Shuttle Endeavour, becoming the first African American woman to do so.
She showed kids everywhere that you can reach for the stars, no matter who you are.
Today in History Trivia & Interesting Facts
Did You Know? – 1814 Inspiration for a National Anthem: The Battle of North Point, fought on this day, was part of the events that inspired Francis Scott Key to write “The Star-Spangled Banner” after witnessing the defense of Fort McHenry in Baltimore.
Did You Know? – 1953 Wedding of the Century: John F. Kennedy and Jacqueline Bouvier’s wedding on this day drew massive attention, with over 800 guests and countless reporters, making it one of the most talked-about social events of the time.
Did You Know? – 1974 End of an Ancient Monarchy: When Emperor Haile Selassie was deposed on this day, it ended a monarchy in Ethiopia that some believed traced back over 3,000 years to the biblical King Solomon.
Did You Know? – 1992 Space Firsts: The STS-47 mission on this day not only featured Mae Jemison’s historic flight but also included the first married couple in space, proving that love can literally take you out of this world.
Did You Know? – 1958 Naval Milestone: The USS Enterprise, laid down on this day, wasn’t just the first nuclear-powered aircraft carrier—it also inspired the name of the famous starship in “Star Trek,” linking real history to sci-fi imagination.