What Happened on April 12?
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events
births
deaths
holidays
EVENTS ON APRIL 12
Explore the most important historical events that happened on April 12, featuring key moments that shaped the world.
Mobile, Alabama
Year:
1865
American Civil War: Mobile, Alabama, falls to the Union Army.
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United Kingdom
Year:
1877
The United Kingdom annexes the Transvaal.
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Battle of Fort Pillow
Year:
1864
American Civil War: The Battle of Fort Pillow: Confederate forces kill most of the African American soldiers that surrendered at Fort Pillow, Tennessee.
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Great Locomotive Chase
Year:
1862
American Civil War: The Andrews Raid (the Great Locomotive Chase) occurs, starting from Big Shanty, Georgia (now Kennesaw).
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American Civil War
Year:
1861
American Civil War: Battle of Fort Sumter. The war begins with Confederate forces firing on Fort Sumter, in the harbor of Charleston, South Carolina.
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United States Congress
Year:
1900
One day after its enactment by the Congress, President William McKinley signs the Foraker Act into law, giving Puerto Rico limited self-rule.
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SMS Zrínyi
Year:
1910
SMS Zrínyi, one of the last pre-dreadnought battleships built by the Austro-Hungarian Navy, is launched.
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Bremen (aircraft)
Year:
1928
The Bremen, a German Junkers W 33 type aircraft, takes off for the first successful transatlantic aeroplane flight from east to west.
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BIRTHS ON APRIL 12
Discover famous people and historical figures born on April 12, including leaders, artists, scientists, and cultural icons.
Manuel Neri
Year of birth:
1930
Manuel Neri, American sculptor and painter (died 2021)
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Bryan Magee
Year of birth:
1930
Bryan Magee, English philosopher and politician (died 2019)
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Michał Życzkowski
Year of birth:
1930
Michał Życzkowski, Polish technician and educator (died 2006)
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Elspet Gray
Year of birth:
1929
Elspet Gray, Scottish actress (died 2013)
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Jean-François Paillard
Year of birth:
1928
Jean-François Paillard, French conductor (died 2013)
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Hardy Krüger
Year of birth:
1928
Hardy Krüger, German actor (died 2022)
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John Landy
Year of birth:
1930
John Landy, Australian runner and politician, 26th Governor of Victoria (died 2022)
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Leonid Derbenyov
Year of birth:
1931
Leonid Derbenyov, Russian poet and songwriter (died 1995)
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DEATHS ON APRIL 12
Look back at notable individuals who passed away on April 12, and learn about their lasting influences on history.
Arthur Freed
Year of death:
1973
Arthur Freed, American songwriter and producer (born 1894)
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Josephine Baker
Year of death:
1975
Josephine Baker, French actress, activist, and humanitarian (born 1906)
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Christos Kakkalos
Year of death:
1976
Christos Kakkalos, Greek mountain guide (born 1882)
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Philip K. Wrigley
Year of death:
1977
Philip K. Wrigley, American businessman, co-founded Lincoln Park Gun Club (born 1894)
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Ed Lafitte
Year of death:
1971
Ed Lafitte, American baseball player and dentist (born 1886)
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Heinrich Nordhoff
Year of death:
1968
Heinrich Nordhoff, German engineer (born 1899)
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Lionel Logue
Year of death:
1953
Lionel Logue, Australian actor and therapist (born 1880)
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Ron Flockhart (racing driver)
Year of death:
1962
Ron Flockhart, Scottish racing driver (born 1923)
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HOLIDAYS ON APRIL 12
See which holidays, observances, and special celebrations take place on April 12 around the world.
Cosmonautics Day
Commemoration of first human in space by Yuri Gagarin: Cosmonautics Day (Russia)
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April 12 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics)
Christian feast day: April 12 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics)
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International Day of Human Space Flight
Commemoration of first human in space by Yuri Gagarin: International Day of Human Space Flight
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Yuri's Night
Commemoration of first human in space by Yuri Gagarin: Yuri's Night (International observance)
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Public holidays in Liberia
National Redemption Day (Liberia)
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Zeno of Verona
Christian feast day: Zeno of Verona
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Teresa of the Andes
Christian feast day: Teresa of the Andes
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Alferius
Christian feast day: Alferius
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