What Happened on February 12?
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events
births
deaths
holidays
EVENTS ON FEBRUARY 12
Explore the most important historical events that happened on February 12, featuring key moments that shaped the world.
SS Penguin
Year:
1909
New Zealand's worst maritime disaster of the 20th century happens when the SS Penguin, an inter-island ferry, sinks and explodes at the entrance to Wellington Harbour.
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Café Terminus attack
Year:
1894
Café Terminus bombing by Émile Henry during the Ère des attentats (1892-1894). Influential event for the birth of modern terrorism.
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Antonín Dvořák
Year:
1889
Antonín Dvořák's Jakobín is premiered at National Theater in Prague
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Ecuador
Year:
1832
Ecuador annexes the Galápagos Islands.
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NAACP
Year:
1909
The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) is founded.
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Puyi
Year:
1912
The Xuantong Emperor, the last Emperor of China, abdicates.
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Tornado outbreak of February 12, 1945
Year:
1945
A devastating tornado outbreak in Mississippi and Alabama kills 45 people and injures 427 others.
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USS Macon (ZRS-5)
Year:
1935
USS Macon, one of the two largest helium-filled airships ever created, crashes into the Pacific Ocean off the coast of California and sinks.
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BIRTHS ON FEBRUARY 12
Discover famous people and historical figures born on February 12, including leaders, artists, scientists, and cultural icons.
Jean Effel
Year of birth:
1908
Jean Effel, French painter, caricaturist, illustrator and journalist (died 1982)
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Sigmund Rascher
Year of birth:
1909
Sigmund Rascher, German physician (died 1945)
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Jacques Herbrand
Year of birth:
1908
Jacques Herbrand, French mathematician and philosopher (died 1931)
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Joseph Kearns
Year of birth:
1907
Joseph Kearns, American actor (died 1962)
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Ted Mack (radio and television host)
Year of birth:
1904
Ted Mack, American radio and television host (died 1976)
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Zoran Mušič
Year of birth:
1909
Zoran Mušič, Slovene painter and illustrator (died 2005)
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Charles Mathiesen
Year of birth:
1911
Charles Mathiesen, Norwegian speed skater (died 1994)
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Olivia Hooker
Year of birth:
1915
Olivia Hooker, American sailor (died 2018)
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DEATHS ON FEBRUARY 12
Look back at notable individuals who passed away on February 12, and learn about their lasting influences on history.
Hassan al-Banna
Year of death:
1949
Hassan al-Banna, Egyptian educator, founded the Muslim Brotherhood (born 1906)
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Moses Gomberg
Year of death:
1947
Moses Gomberg, Ukrainian-American chemist and academic (born 1866)
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Dziga Vertov
Year of death:
1954
Dziga Vertov, Polish-Russian director and screenwriter (born 1896)
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Douglas Hartree
Year of death:
1958
Douglas Hartree, English mathematician and physicist (born 1897)
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Oskar Anderson
Year of death:
1960
Oskar Anderson, Bulgarian-German mathematician and academic (born 1887)
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Eugene Esmonde
Year of death:
1942
Eugene Esmonde, Irish-English lieutenant and pilot, Victoria Cross recipient (born 1909)
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Avraham Stern
Year of death:
1942
Avraham Stern, Polish-Israeli militant leader (born 1907)
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Lillie Langtry
Year of death:
1929
Lillie Langtry, English singer and actress (born 1853)
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HOLIDAYS ON FEBRUARY 12
See which holidays, observances, and special celebrations take place on February 12 around the world.
Darwin Day
Darwin Day (International)
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Lincoln's Birthday
Lincoln's Birthday (United States)
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Red Hand Day
Red Hand Day (United Nations)
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Benedict of Aniane
Christian feast day: Benedict of Aniane
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February 12 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics)
Christian feast day: February 12 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics)
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Julian the Hospitaller
Christian feast day: Julian the Hospitaller
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Union Day (Myanmar)
Union Day (Myanmar)
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Damian (martyrs, February 12)
Christian feast day: Damian (?)
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