February 12 stands as a date marked by remarkable historical events. From the births of influential figures like Abraham Lincoln and Charles Darwin in 1809 to the fall of the Qing Dynasty in 1912, this day has shaped the course of history. Significant milestones in music and space exploration also emerged on this date. What other pivotal moments occurred on February 12? The answers await exploration.
History
Major Historical Events
1809 – Abraham Lincoln’s Birth: On this day, Abraham Lincoln, the 16th President of the United States, was born in a log cabin in Hardin County, Kentucky.
His leadership during the American Civil War and his role in abolishing slavery through the Emancipation Proclamation cemented his legacy as one of America’s most revered leaders.
1909 – Founding of the NAACP: The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) was established in New York City on February 12, inspired by the need to combat racial injustice following the Springfield Race Riot of 1908.
This organization became a cornerstone of the Civil Rights Movement, advocating for equality and justice for African Americans.
1912 – End of the Qing Dynasty in China: The last emperor of China, Puyi, abdicated the throne on this date, marking the end of over 2,000 years of imperial rule and the fall of the Qing Dynasty.
This event paved the way for the establishment of the Republic of China under Sun Yat-sen, ushering in a new era of political transformation.
1999 – Impeachment Acquittal of Bill Clinton: U.S. President Bill Clinton was acquitted by the Senate on charges of perjury and obstruction of justice related to the Monica Lewinsky scandal.
This marked only the second time in U.S. history that a president faced an impeachment trial, highlighting a deeply divisive moment in American politics.
2001 – NEAR Shoemaker Lands on Asteroid Eros: The Near Earth Asteroid Rendezvous (NEAR) Shoemaker spacecraft made history by becoming the first spacecraft to land on an asteroid, touching down on Eros.
This groundbreaking mission provided invaluable data about the composition and structure of near-Earth asteroids.
Famous Birthdays
1809 – Abraham Lincoln: The iconic 16th President of the United States, known for leading the nation through the Civil War and issuing the Emancipation Proclamation, was born on this day in Kentucky.
His contributions to American history remain profound and enduring.
1809 – Charles Darwin: The renowned English naturalist and biologist, best known for his theory of evolution by natural selection as outlined in his book “On the Origin of Species,” was born on February 12 in Shrewsbury, England.
His work revolutionized scientific understanding of life on Earth.
1950 – Steve Hackett: The English musician and guitarist, famous for his work with the progressive rock band Genesis during the 1970s, was born on this day in London.
His innovative guitar techniques contributed greatly to the band’s distinctive sound.
1968 – Josh Brolin: The American actor, known for his roles in films like “No Country for Old Men,” “Avengers: Endgame,” and “Dune,” was born on February 12 in Santa Monica, California.
His versatile performances have earned him critical acclaim across genres.
Notable Deaths
1554 – Lady Jane Grey: Known as the “Nine Days’ Queen,” Lady Jane Grey was executed on this day in the Tower of London after a brief and controversial reign as Queen of England.
Her death marked a tragic end to a political struggle during the Tudor era.
1804 – Immanuel Kant: The influential German philosopher, whose ideas on ethics, metaphysics, and epistemology shaped modern philosophy, passed away on February 12 in Königsberg, Prussia.
His works, including “Critique of Pure Reason,” remain foundational in Western thought.
2000 – Charles M. Schulz: The beloved American cartoonist and creator of the “Peanuts” comic strip, featuring characters like Charlie Brown and Snoopy, died on this day in Santa Rosa, California.
His work continues to inspire generations with its humor and heart.
Today in Music History
1961 – The Miracles Release “Shop Around”: The Motown group The Miracles, led by Smokey Robinson, saw their single “Shop Around” become the label’s first million-selling record on this day.
This achievement marked a significant milestone for Motown Records and helped establish its dominance in the music industry.
1977 – The Police Record Their First Single: The punk rock band The Police recorded their debut single, “Fall Out,” on February 12 in London.
This recording laid the foundation for their rise to international fame with hits like “Roxanne” and “Every Breath You Take.”
1997 – David Bowie Receives a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame: On this day, the legendary musician David Bowie was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, recognizing his immense contributions to music and culture with iconic albums like “Ziggy Stardust.”
Today in Sports History
1876 – First Recorded Indoor Baseball Game: On February 12, an indoor baseball game was reportedly played for the first time in New York City, adapting the outdoor sport to a confined space.
This event showcased early experimentation with the game’s format.
1994 – Edvard Munch’s “The Scream” Recovered After Theft: Though not a traditional sports event, the recovery of Edvard Munch’s iconic painting “The Scream” on this day, stolen during the Winter Olympics in Lillehammer, Norway, tied a cultural milestone to a global sporting event.
The painting’s return was a celebrated moment.
2010 – Vancouver Winter Olympics Opening Ceremony: The 2010 Winter Olympics officially began on February 12 in Vancouver, Canada, with a spectacular opening ceremony.
The games featured memorable performances by athletes in events like skiing, snowboarding, and ice hockey.
Today in Military and Naval History
1818 – Chile Declares Independence from Spain: On this day, Chile officially proclaimed its independence from Spanish colonial rule, a significant step in the South American wars of liberation.
This event followed years of military struggle and marked a turning point in the region’s history.
1941 – German Forces Arrive in North Africa: During World War II, German troops under General Erwin Rommel arrived in Tripoli on February 12 to support Italian forces in North Africa.
This deployment initiated the North African Campaign, a critical theater of the war.
1973 – First American POWs Released from Vietnam: On this day, the first group of American prisoners of war was released from captivity in North Vietnam as part of the Paris Peace Accords.
Their return marked an emotional milestone in the winding down of U.S. involvement in the Vietnam War.
Today in Tech and Science History
2001 – NEAR Shoemaker Lands on Asteroid Eros: As mentioned earlier, the NEAR Shoemaker spacecraft achieved a historic landing on the asteroid Eros on February 12, providing scientists with detailed images and data about the asteroid’s surface and composition.
2016 – Detection of Gravitational Waves Announced: On this day, scientists from the LIGO collaboration announced the first direct detection of gravitational waves, a phenomenon predicted by Albert Einstein a century earlier.
This breakthrough opened new avenues for understanding the universe.
Today in Art, Literature, and Culture
1924 – Premiere of “Rhapsody in Blue”: George Gershwin’s iconic composition “Rhapsody in Blue” premiered on February 12 at Aeolian Hall in New York City, blending classical music with jazz elements.
This piece remains a landmark in American music history.
1994 – Edvard Munch’s “The Scream” Stolen: As noted earlier, Edvard Munch’s famous painting was stolen from a museum in Oslo on this day, coinciding with the Winter Olympics in Norway.
The audacious theft captured global attention until the artwork’s recovery later that year.
2008 – Writers Guild of America Strike Ends: On February 12, the Writers Guild of America ended a 100-day strike that had halted production across the entertainment industry.
The resolution brought relief to writers, actors, and studios, shaping future labor negotiations in Hollywood.
Funny & Weird Historical Facts
1914 – First Stone of the Lincoln Memorial Laid: On this day, construction symbolically began on the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C., with the laying of the first stone.
Remarkably, the project faced numerous delays and wasn’t completed until 1922, showing even monumental tributes take time.
1971 – Decimal Day Preparations in the UK: While Decimal Day officially occurred on February 15, preparations peaked on February 12 as the UK geared up to switch from pounds, shillings, and pence to a decimal currency system.
Many citizens hoarded old coins, leading to comical scenes of overstuffed piggy banks.
Today in History for Kids
1809 – Two Famous People Born on the Same Day: Imagine two world-changing people being born on the exact same day!
Abraham Lincoln, who became a great U.S. president, and Charles Darwin, who discovered how animals and plants change over time, were both born on February 12.
What a special coincidence!
1912 – A Young Emperor Says Goodbye: In China, a little boy named Puyi, who was the last emperor, had to give up his throne on this day.
He was only six years old and didn’t rule anymore, ending a very long time of kings and emperors in China.
2001 – A Spacecraft Lands on a Space Rock: A cool space robot called NEAR Shoemaker landed on a giant space rock called Eros on February 12.
It was the first time humans ever made something land on an asteroid, like parking a car on a floating mountain in space!
Today in History Trivia & Interesting Facts
1809 – Lincoln and Darwin’s Shared Birthday: It’s fascinating that two giants of history, Abraham Lincoln and Charles Darwin, were born on the same day in the same year.
Their contributions to politics and science shaped the modern world in entirely different but equally impactful ways.
1924 – A Musical Mashup Makes History: When “Rhapsody in Blue” premiered on this day, it mixed jazz with classical music in a way no one had heard before.
People were amazed, and it’s still played in concerts and movies today.
1999 – A President’s Trial Ends: Bill Clinton’s impeachment trial ended with an acquittal on February 12, making history as only the second time a U.S. president faced such a trial.
It was a big moment that had everyone talking about politics and fairness.
2016 – Hearing the Universe’s Ripples: Scientists announced they detected gravitational waves on this day, proving a 100-year-old idea by Einstein.
It’s like hearing the universe whisper secrets about black holes and space collisions!