April 12
Overview
Holidays & Observances
Children's Day(Bolivia)
A joyful national celebration in Bolivia dedicated to honoring and celebrating the lives of children with fun activities and community events.
Christianfeast day:
Adoniram Judson(Episcopal Church), Alferius, Blessed Angelo Carletti di Chivasso, Erkembode, Pope Julius I, Teresa of the Andes, Zeno of Verona, April 12 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics)
A composite of Christian feast days honoring saints and historical figures across various denominations.
Commemoration of first human in space byYuri Gagarin:
Cosmonautics Day(Russia), International Day of Human Space Flight, Yuri's Night(International observance)
Global and national celebrations marking Yuri Gagarin's historic flight as the first human in space on April 12, 1961.
Halifax Day(North Carolina)
Halifax Day commemorates the 1776 adoption of the Halifax Resolves, the first official American call for independence.
National Redemption Day(Liberia)
National Redemption Day in Liberia marks the 1986 referendum restoring constitutional civilian rule after years of military governance.
Adoniram Judson(Episcopal Church)
The Episcopal Church honors Adoniram Judson, a pioneering missionary and translator, on this day.
Alferius
Saint Alferius is remembered for founding the Abbey of La Trinità della Cava in southern Italy.
Blessed Angelo Carletti di Chivasso
Italian Franciscan Blessed Angelo Carletti di Chivasso is commemorated for his theological writings and piety.
Erkembode
Saint Erkembode, a missionary bishop in 8th-century France, is honored for his evangelistic work.
Events
Shapur I becomes co-emperor of the Sasanian Empire with his father Ardashir I.
In 240, Shapur I is appointed co-emperor of the Sasanian Empire alongside his father Ardashir I, solidifying the dynasty's succession.
Anthemius is elevated to Emperor of the Western Roman Empire.
In 467, Anthemius is proclaimed Emperor of the Western Roman Empire, positioning him at the center of late imperial politics.
King Edwin of Northumbria is converted to Christianity by Paulinus, Bishop of York.
In 627, King Edwin of Northumbria converts to Christianity under Bishop Paulinus of York, marking a pivotal shift in Anglo-Saxon religious history.
Duke Oldřich of Bohemia deposes and blinds his brother Jaromír, who flees to Poland.
In 1012, Duke Oldřich of Bohemia seizes power by deposing and blinding his brother Jaromír, who escapes to Poland.
The Crusaders of the Fourth Crusade breach the walls of Constantinople and enter the city, which they completely occupy the following day.
In 1204, Crusaders breach the walls of Constantinople during the Fourth Crusade, foreshadowing the city's fall the next day.
The Union Flag is adopted as the flag of English and Scottish ships.
In 1606, the Union Flag is formally adopted to represent English and Scottish ships at sea.
American Revolution: With the Halifax Resolves, the North Carolina Provincial Congress authorizes its Congressional delegation to vote for independence from Britain.
In 1776, North Carolina adopts the Halifax Resolves, empowering its delegates to support American independence from Britain.
American Revolution: A Royal Navy fleet led by Admiral George Rodney defeats a French fleet led by the Comte de Grasse at the Battle of the Saintes off Dominica in the Caribbean Sea.
In 1782, Admiral George Rodney leads the Royal Navy to victory over a French fleet at the Battle of the Saintes in the Caribbean.
War of the First Coalition: Napoleon Bonaparte wins his first victory as an army commander at the Battle of Montenotte, splitting the Austrian and Piedmontese armies away from each other, and marking the beginning of the Piedmontese surrender in the war.
In 1796, Napoleon Bonaparte secures his first triumph at the Battle of Montenotte, paving the way for French advances in Italy.
Births
Muhammad al-Jawad
Muhammad al-Jawad was the ninth Imam of Shia Islam, revered for his piety and scholarship.
En'yū
Emperor En'yū was the 64th emperor of Japan, ruling from 969 to 984.
Richeza of Poland
Richeza of Poland was a Polish princess who became Queen consort of Sweden and Grand Princess of Minsk.
Anne of Austria
Anne of Austria was a Habsburg princess who served as Landgravine of Thuringia.
Antonio da Sangallo the Younger
Antonio da Sangallo the Younger was a leading Italian Renaissance architect known for his work on St. Peter's Basilica and the Apostolic Palace.
Maharana Sangram Singh
Maharana Sangram Singh was a 16th-century ruler of Mewar renowned for defending his kingdom against Mughal expansion.
Joachim Camerarius
Joachim Camerarius was a German humanist scholar and translator pivotal to the intellectual life of the Renaissance.
Muretus
Marc Antoine Muret, known as Muretus, was a French humanist philosopher and Latin prose stylist whose work influenced European scholarship.
Edward de Vere
Edward de Vere, the 17th Earl of Oxford, was an English courtier and aristocrat who served as Lord Great Chamberlain under Queen Elizabeth I.
Deaths
Gnaeus Pompeius
Prominent Roman general and statesman instrumental in the transformation of the late Republic.
Julius I
Fourth pope of the Catholic Church who led the Church during theological disputes in the 4th century.
Maximianus
Archbishop of Constantinople known for his piety and contributions to ecclesiastical life in the 5th century.
Eudokia Baïana
Byzantine empress consort of Leo VI, noted for her charitable works and brief influence at court.
Vladislaus I
Duke of Bohemia who strengthened the Premyslid dynasty and fostered cultural growth in the early 12th century.
Charles VII
King of Sweden who ruled during the mid-12th century, navigating dynastic struggles and noble unrest.
Margaret of Bourbon
Queen and regent of Navarre who wielded political influence and defended her son's inheritance in the 13th century.
Henry Chichele
Archbishop of Canterbury and diplomat who shaped English church and state relations in the 15th century.
Leonhard of Gorizia
Count of Gorizia who governed territories in the Eastern Alps and balanced regional powers in the late 15th century.