What Happened on December 12?
All
events
births
deaths
holidays
EVENTS ON DECEMBER 12
Explore the most important historical events that happened on December 12, featuring key moments that shaped the world.
Xi'an Incident
Year:
1936
The beginning of Xi'an incident. As a result, Chiang Kai Shek is captured.
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Lebensborn
Year:
1935
The Lebensborn Project, a Nazi reproduction program, is founded by Heinrich Himmler.
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Second Sino-Japanese War
Year:
1937
Second Sino-Japanese War: USS Panay incident: Japanese aircraft bomb and sink U.S. gunboat USS Panay on the Yangtze river in China.
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Winter War
Year:
1939
Winter War: The Battle of Tolvajärvi, also known as the first major Finnish victory in the Winter War, begins.
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The Holocaust
Year:
1941
The Holocaust: Adolf Hitler declares the imminent extermination of the Jews at a meeting in the Reich Chancellery.
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HMS Duchess (H64)
Year:
1939
HMS Duchess sinks after a collision with HMS Barham off the coast of Scotland with the loss of 124 men.
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Edward J. Flanagan
Year:
1917
Father Edward J. Flanagan founds Boys Town as a farm village for wayward boys.
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Yuan Shikai
Year:
1915
Yuan Shikai declares the establishment of the Empire of China and proclaims himself Emperor.
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BIRTHS ON DECEMBER 12
Discover famous people and historical figures born on December 12, including leaders, artists, scientists, and cultural icons.
Dickey Betts
Year of birth:
1943
Dickey Betts, American musician and songwriter (died 2024)
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Grover Washington Jr.
Year of birth:
1943
Grover Washington, Jr., American singer-songwriter, saxophonist, and producer (died 1999)
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Tony Williams (drummer)
Year of birth:
1945
Tony Williams, American drummer, composer, and producer (died 1997)
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Emerson Fittipaldi
Year of birth:
1946
Emerson Fittipaldi, Brazilian racing driver
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Colin Todd
Year of birth:
1948
Colin Todd, English football player and coach
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Chris Mullin (politician)
Year of birth:
1947
Chris Mullin, English journalist and politician
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Sharad Pawar
Year of birth:
1940
Sharad Pawar, Indian politician, Indian Minister of Agriculture
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Dionne Warwick
Year of birth:
1940
Dionne Warwick, American singer
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DEATHS ON DECEMBER 12
Look back at notable individuals who passed away on December 12, and learn about their lasting influences on history.
Anne Baxter
Year of death:
1985
Anne Baxter, American actress (born 1923)
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József Antall
Year of death:
1993
József Antall, Hungarian historian and politician, 35th Prime Minister of Hungary (born 1932)
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Jean Lesage
Year of death:
1980
Jean Lesage, Canadian lawyer and politician, 19th Premier of Quebec (born 1912)
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Doris Blackburn
Year of death:
1970
Doris Blackburn, Australian politician (born 1889)
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Mildred Bailey
Year of death:
1951
Mildred Bailey, American singer (born 1907)
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Tallulah Bankhead
Year of death:
1968
Tallulah Bankhead, American actress (born 1902)
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Stuart Roosa
Year of death:
1994
Stuart Roosa, American colonel, pilot, and astronaut (born 1933)
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Evgenii Landis
Year of death:
1997
Evgenii Landis, Ukrainian-Russian mathematician and academic (born 1921)
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HOLIDAYS ON DECEMBER 12
See which holidays, observances, and special celebrations take place on December 12 around the world.
Vicelinus
Christian feast day: Vicelinus
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Our Lady of Guadalupe
Christian feast day: Our Lady of Guadalupe
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December 12 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics)
Christian feast day: December 12 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics)
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Day of Neutrality
Day of Neutrality (Turkmenistan)
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Peter the Aleut
Christian feast day: Peter the Aleut
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Ida of Nivelles
Christian feast day: Ida of Nivelles
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Jane Frances de Chantal
Christian feast day: Jane Frances de Chantal
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Corentin of Quimper
Christian feast day: Corentin of Quimper
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