What Happened on May 12?
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events
births
deaths
holidays
EVENTS ON MAY 12
Explore the most important historical events that happened on May 12, featuring key moments that shaped the world.
Battle of Raymond
Year:
1863
American Civil War: Battle of Raymond: Two divisions of James B. McPherson's XVII Corps turn the left wing of Confederate General John C. Pemberton's defensive line on Fourteen Mile Creek, opening up the interior of Mississippi to the Union Army during the Vicksburg Campaign.
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Battle of Spotsylvania Court House
Year:
1864
American Civil War: The Battle of Spotsylvania Court House: Union troops assault a Confederate salient known as the "Mule Shoe", with some of the fiercest fighting of the war, much of it hand-to-hand combat, occurring at "the Bloody Angle" on the northwest.
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American Civil War
Year:
1862
American Civil War: Union Army troops occupy Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
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Donner Party
Year:
1846
The Donner Party of pioneers departs Independence, Missouri for California, on what will become a year-long journey of hardship and cannibalism.
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Greek War of Independence
Year:
1821
The first major battle of the Greek War of Independence against the Turks is fought in Valtetsi.
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Battle of Palmito Ranch
Year:
1865
American Civil War: The Battle of Palmito Ranch: The first day of the last major land action to take place during the Civil War, resulting in a Confederate victory.
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Manitoba Act, 1870
Year:
1870
The Manitoba Act is given the Royal Assent, paving the way for Manitoba to become a province of Canada on July 15.
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Norge (airship)
Year:
1926
The Italian-built airship Norge becomes the first vessel to fly over the North Pole.
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BIRTHS ON MAY 12
Discover famous people and historical figures born on May 12, including leaders, artists, scientists, and cultural icons.
Otto Frank
Year of birth:
1889
Otto Frank, German-Swiss businessman and Holocaust survivor; father of diarist Anne Frank (died 1980)
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Ernst A. Lehmann
Year of birth:
1886
Ernst A. Lehmann, German captain and pilot (died 1937)
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Lincoln Ellsworth
Year of birth:
1880
Lincoln Ellsworth, American explorer (died 1951)
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Abelardo L. Rodríguez
Year of birth:
1889
Abelardo L. Rodríguez, substitute president of Mexico (died 1967)
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Fritz Kortner
Year of birth:
1892
Fritz Kortner, Austrian-German actor and director (died 1970)
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William Giauque
Year of birth:
1895
William Giauque, Canadian-American chemist and academic, Nobel Prize laureate (died 1982)
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Jiddu Krishnamurti
Year of birth:
1895
Jiddu Krishnamurti, Indian-American philosopher and author (died 1986)
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Charles Holden
Year of birth:
1875
Charles Holden, English architect, designed the Bristol Central Library (died 1960)
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DEATHS ON MAY 12
Look back at notable individuals who passed away on May 12, and learn about their lasting influences on history.
Göran Fredrik Göransson
Year of death:
1900
Göran Fredrik Göransson, Swedish merchant, ironmaster and industrialist (born 1819)
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Joris-Karl Huysmans
Year of death:
1907
Joris-Karl Huysmans, French author and critic (born 1848)
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James Connolly
Year of death:
1916
James Connolly, Scottish-born Irish socialist and rebel leader (born 1868)
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Amy Lowell
Year of death:
1925
Amy Lowell, American poet and critic (born 1874)
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Minna Canth
Year of death:
1897
Minna Canth, Finnish journalist, playwright, and activist (born 1844)
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Bedřich Smetana
Year of death:
1884
Bedřich Smetana, Czech composer and educator (born 1824)
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Friedrich Wilhelm Eduard Gerhard
Year of death:
1867
Friedrich Wilhelm Eduard Gerhard, German archaeologist and academic (born 1795)
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Georgi Benkovski
Year of death:
1876
Georgi Benkovski, Bulgarian activist (born 1843)
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HOLIDAYS ON MAY 12
See which holidays, observances, and special celebrations take place on May 12 around the world.
Nereus and Achilleus
Christian feast day: Nereus, Achilleus, Domitilla, and Pancras
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Germanus I of Constantinople
Christian feast day: Patriarch Germanus I of Constantinople (Eastern Church)
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Philip of Agira
Christian feast day: Philip of Agira
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Joanna, Princess of Portugal
Christian feast day: Blessed Joan of Portugal
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Gregory Dix
Christian feast day: Gregory Dix (Church of England)
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Johan Vilhelm Snellman
J. V. Snellman Day or the Finnish Heritage Day (Finland)
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Dominic de la Calzada
Christian feast day: Dominic de la Calzada
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Epiphanius of Salamis
Christian feast day: Epiphanius of Salamis
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