July 12

Choe Bu was dispatched by the Joseon court as an envoy to the Ming dynasty but encountered a typhoon at sea. His shipwreck on a remote stretch of the Chinese coast led him through a series of local jurisdictions and hardships. Over months of journeying, he observed Chinese agriculture, commerce, and folk customs in unprecedented detail. Upon his safe return in July 1488, Choe Bu compiled a travelogue that offered one of the earliest Korean accounts of Ming society. His writings enriched Joseon knowledge of foreign lands and influenced diplomatic and cultural exchanges between Korea and China.

The Bisbee Deportation occurred on July 12, 1917, during a labor dispute at the Copper Queen Mine. Local business leaders and deputized citizens accused striking members of the Industrial Workers of the World (IWW) of being subversive. Over two nights, vigilantes forcibly loaded more than 1,200 workers and sympathizers onto cattle cars bound for New Mexico. Many were left stranded in the desert without food or water before being assisted by local authorities. No legal action was taken against the organizers, highlighting the era’s harsh attitudes toward labor activism. The incident remains a stark example of vigilante justice and the suppression of workers’ rights in early 20th-century America.

Orlyonok was established near Gelendzhik in the Russian SFSR to provide ideological training and leisure activities for youth. The camp hosted thousands of children each summer, offering sports, arts, and political education programs. It became a symbol of Pioneers’ communal spirit and Soviet values. Notable alumni recall the rigorous discipline combined with unforgettable cultural performances. The camp’s emphasis on leadership and teamwork shaped a generation of Soviet citizens. Orlyonok remains one of the most iconic institutions of childhood in the USSR’s history.

On the evening of July 12, 1963, 16-year-old Pauline Reade vanished in the Gorton district of Manchester. She was last seen leaving a local dance and walking along Stockport Road. The disappearance alarmed the community and launched one of Britain's largest police inquiries. Her body was discovered six months later on Saddleworth Moor, confirming her as the first victim of Ian Brady and Myra Hindley. The case revealed chilling details of the Moors murders and led to the perpetrators' eventual capture and conviction. Pauline's tragic fate raised awareness about child safety and remains a haunting chapter in British criminal history.

On July 12, 1967, tensions boiled over in Newark, New Jersey, as long-standing racial and economic grievances sparked violent unrest. The riots began after a police arrest outside a local bar, escalating into widespread looting and arson. Over six days, residents and law enforcement clashed, resulting in 26 deaths, hundreds of injuries, and extensive property damage. Governor Richard Hughes deployed the National Guard and federal troops to restore order in the city. The Newark riots became one of the most destructive urban uprisings of the 1960s, highlighting deep social inequalities. In the aftermath, policymakers addressed issues of housing discrimination, policing, and economic opportunity in African American communities.

On July 12, 1971, the newly designed Australian Aboriginal flag was raised over National Aborigines Day in Adelaide for the first time. Created by artist Harold Thomas, the flag features black, red, and yellow colors representing the Aboriginal people, the earth, and the sun. Its debut provided a powerful emblem for the fight for Indigenous land rights and recognition across Australia. Activists and communities quickly adopted the flag at protests, ceremonies, and cultural celebrations. In 1995, it was proclaimed an official flag of Australia, cementing its status in the nation's identity. Today, the Aboriginal flag remains a proud symbol of Indigenous heritage, unity, and resilience.