November 12 holds a significant place in history with events that have shaped nations and cultures. From pivotal battles and political triumphs to scientific breakthroughs and notable births, this date offers a rich tapestry of human achievement and conflict. What specific moments defined this day across centuries? Uncover the stories of struggle, innovation, and legacy that continue to resonate through time.
History
Major Historical Events
1867 – The Battle of Mentana: This significant battle took place near Rome during the Italian unification process, marking a key moment in the struggle for control over the Papal States.
Italian volunteers, known as the Garibaldini, led by Giuseppe Garibaldi, clashed with French and Papal forces.
The French, equipped with superior weaponry including the new Chassepot rifle, defeated Garibaldi’s troops, delaying the unification of Rome with the rest of Italy.
1912 – The Election of Woodrow Wilson: Woodrow Wilson was elected as the 28th President of the United States on this day, marking a pivotal moment in American politics.
Running as a Democrat, Wilson defeated incumbent President William Howard Taft and former President Theodore Roosevelt, who ran as a Progressive.
His victory ushered in an era of progressive reforms, including the establishment of the Federal Reserve System.
1956 – The Suez Crisis Ceasefire: A ceasefire was declared in the Suez Crisis on November 12, following intense international pressure on Britain, France, and Israel to halt their military actions against Egypt.
The conflict arose after Egypt nationalized the Suez Canal, prompting an invasion that drew condemnation from the United States and the Soviet Union.
This event marked a turning point in post-World War II geopolitics, highlighting the decline of British and French imperial influence.
1980 – Voyager 1’s Saturn Flyby: NASA’s Voyager 1 spacecraft made its closest approach to Saturn on this date, providing humanity with unprecedented images and data about the planet and its rings.
The mission revealed intricate details about Saturn’s atmosphere and discovered new moons, greatly advancing our understanding of the outer solar system.
Famous Birthdays
1840 – Auguste Rodin: The renowned French sculptor Auguste Rodin was born on this day in Paris.
Best known for his iconic works like “The Thinker” and “The Kiss,” Rodin revolutionized modern sculpture with his expressive and realistic style, leaving a lasting impact on the art world.
1929 – Grace Kelly: American actress Grace Kelly, who later became Princess of Monaco, was born in Philadelphia on this date.
Known for her roles in classic films like “Rear Window” and “To Catch a Thief,” she married Prince Rainier III of Monaco, shifting from Hollywood stardom to royalty.
1961 – Nadia Comăneci: Romanian gymnast Nadia Comăneci was born on this day, later becoming a global sensation as the first gymnast to score a perfect 10 at the 1976 Montreal Olympics.
Her achievements redefined the sport and inspired generations of athletes.
1982 – Anne Hathaway: American actress Anne Hathaway was born in Brooklyn, New York, on November 12.
Rising to fame with roles in films like “The Princess Diaries” and later earning an Academy Award for “Les Misérables,” Hathaway remains a prominent figure in contemporary cinema.
1984 – Sandara Park: South Korean singer and actress Sandara Park, also known as Dara, was born on this date.
A member of the popular K-pop group 2NE1, she has also made a name for herself in television and film, becoming a beloved figure in Asian entertainment.
Notable Deaths
1035 – Cnut the Great: Cnut the Great, the Danish king who ruled over England, Denmark, and Norway, passed away on this day.
Known for uniting these regions under his rule, Cnut’s reign was marked by relative peace and stability in early medieval Europe.
1916 – Percival Lowell: American astronomer Percival Lowell died on November 12 in Arizona.
Famous for his work on Mars and his belief in the existence of canals on the planet, Lowell also founded the Lowell Observatory, which later played a role in the discovery of Pluto.
2003 – Jonathan Brandis: American actor Jonathan Brandis, known for his roles in “SeaQuest DSV” and “The NeverEnding Story II,” tragically passed away on this date at the age of 27.
His death marked a somber moment for fans of 1990s television and film.
Today in Music History
1966 – The Monkees Hit Number One: The Monkees’ debut album reached the top spot on the Billboard 200 chart on this day, marking the beginning of their meteoric rise.
Created for a television show, the band’s blend of pop and rock fascinated audiences worldwide.
1970 – The Doors’ Final Concert with Jim Morrison: The Doors performed what would be their last live concert with lead singer Jim Morrison on November 12 in New Orleans.
Struggling with personal issues, Morrison’s performance marked the end of an era for the iconic rock band before his untimely death the following year.
1987 – Sly Stone Arrested: Funk and soul legend Sly Stone was arrested on this date in Santa Monica, California, for possession of cocaine.
The incident reflected the personal struggles of the artist behind groundbreaking music with Sly and the Family Stone.
Today in Sports History
1920 – First Professional Baseball Commissioner Appointed: Judge Kenesaw Mountain Landis was named the first Commissioner of Baseball on this day, a role created in response to the Black Sox Scandal.
His strict governance helped restore public trust in the sport during a turbulent time.
1982 – Larry Holmes Defends Heavyweight Title: Boxer Larry Holmes successfully defended his WBC heavyweight title against Randall “Tex” Cobb on November 12 in a brutal 15-round fight.
Holmes’ dominance solidified his reputation as one of the era’s greatest fighters.
1997 – Ramzi Yousef Convicted: Though not a traditional sports event, the conviction of Ramzi Yousef, the mastermind behind the 1993 World Trade Center bombing, occurred on this day and indirectly impacted security measures at major sporting events worldwide, reflecting the intersection of global events and sports safety.
Today in Military and Naval History
1918 – Austria Becomes a Republic: Just one day after the armistice ending World War I, Austria declared itself a republic on November 12, marking the dissolution of the Austro-Hungarian Empire.
This event reshaped Europe’s political and military landscape in the aftermath of the war.
1942 – Battle of Guadalcanal Naval Engagement: A critical naval battle began on this day during World War II near Guadalcanal in the Solomon Islands.
Known as the Naval Battle of Guadalcanal, U.S. forces engaged Japanese naval units in a fierce struggle, ultimately securing a strategic victory that turned the tide in the Pacific Theater.
1944 – Sinking of the Tirpitz: The German battleship Tirpitz, one of the largest and most powerful warships of its time, was sunk by British Lancaster bombers on November 12 near Tromsø, Norway.
This marked a significant blow to Nazi naval power in the Arctic.
Today in Tech and Science History
1927 – Trotsky Expelled from Communist Party: While not a direct tech event, Leon Trotsky’s expulsion from the Soviet Communist Party on this day indirectly influenced scientific and technological development in the USSR, as political purges later affected many scientists and engineers under Stalin’s regime.
1980 – Voyager 1’s Saturn Encounter: As mentioned earlier, Voyager 1’s flyby of Saturn on November 12 provided groundbreaking data, including the discovery of complex ring structures and new moons, advancing planetary science and space exploration technology.
1990 – Tim Berners-Lee Proposes the World Wide Web: On this day, British computer scientist Tim Berners-Lee, along with Robert Cailliau, published a formal proposal for the World Wide Web, laying the foundation for the internet as we know it today.
This moment revolutionized communication and technology globally.
Today in Art, Literature, and Culture
1842 – First Performance of Verdi’s Nabucco in London: Giuseppe Verdi’s opera “Nabucco” premiered in London on this day, captivating audiences with its powerful music and themes of liberation.
The work solidified Verdi’s reputation as a leading composer of the 19th century.
1922 – Sigma Gamma Rho Founded: Sigma Gamma Rho, one of the Divine Nine historically Black Greek-letter organizations, was founded on November 12 at Butler University in Indianapolis.
This cultural milestone has since contributed to community service and leadership among African American women.
1969 – Publication of “Slaughterhouse-Five” in the UK: Kurt Vonnegut’s seminal novel “Slaughterhouse-Five” was released in the United Kingdom on this date, following its U.S. debut.
The anti-war book, blending science fiction and autobiography, became a cultural touchstone of the 20th century.
1996 – “Evita” Film Premiere: The film adaptation of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s musical “Evita,” starring Madonna, premiered on this day in select locations.
The movie brought the story of Eva Perón to a global audience, blending history with dramatic storytelling.
Funny & Weird Historical Facts
1906 – First Aerial Photograph from an Airplane: On this day, the first known aerial photograph taken from an airplane was captured over Camp Columbia in Havana, Cuba.
While not inherently funny, the novelty of early aviation often led to comical mishaps as pilots and photographers struggled with the new technology.
1974 – Discovery of the “Wallace Line” Fish: While not a widely celebrated event, researchers on November 12 confirmed unique species differences in marine life across the Wallace Line in Indonesia, a biogeographical boundary.
The oddity of fish literally changing type across an invisible line in the ocean baffled early scientists.
Today in History for Kids
1912 – Woodrow Wilson Becomes President: A long time ago, on this day, a man named Woodrow Wilson was chosen to be the leader of the United States.
He had big ideas to make the country better, like creating new rules for money and banks, and he worked hard to help people during tough times.
1980 – A Spaceship Visits Saturn: Imagine a robot spaceship flying through space!
On November 12, a spacecraft called Voyager 1 zoomed close to the planet Saturn and took amazing pictures of its rings and moons.
It helped us learn so much about space.
1929 – A Movie Star Becomes a Princess: A beautiful actress named Grace Kelly was born on this day.
She acted in exciting movies, and later she married a real prince and became a princess in a tiny country called Monaco.
It’s like a fairy tale come true!
Today in History Trivia & Interesting Facts
1867 – A Battle with a Funny Weapon Advantage: During the Battle of Mentana, the French used a new kind of rifle called the Chassepot, which was so much better than older guns that it almost seemed unfair.
It could shoot farther and faster, helping them win the fight.
1942 – A Naval Battle in the Dark: The Naval Battle of Guadalcanal started on this day, and it was so intense that much of it happened at night.
Ships couldn’t see each other well, so they had to guess where to aim, making it a chaotic and dangerous fight.
1990 – The Internet’s Big Idea: Did you know the idea for the World Wide Web, which lets us use the internet today, was written down on November 12?
A scientist named Tim Berners-Lee shared his plan to connect computers all over the world, and now we can’t imagine life without it.
1956 – A Canal Causes a Big Fight: On this day, a huge argument over a canal in Egypt called the Suez Canal finally calmed down with a ceasefire.
Countries fought over who should control this important waterway, and it showed how even a small place can cause big problems.