1609day.year
Henry Hudson begins his exploration of the Hudson River while aboard the Halve Maen.
Explorer Henry Hudson sails the Halve Maen and begins charting the river that will bear his name.
In 1609, English navigator Henry Hudson set out aboard the Dutch vessel Halve Maen on a voyage to discover a northwest passage to Asia.
During his journey, Hudson explored the river estuary off present-day New York, charting its course further inland.
His detailed maps of the waterway opened the region for future Dutch colonization and trade.
The voyage helped establish the basis for New Netherland and shaped European understanding of North American geography.
Although Hudson never found a passage to the Pacific, his river exploration remains a milestone in maritime history.
1609
Henry Hudson
Hudson River
Halve Maen
1933day.year
Leó Szilárd, waiting for a red light on Southampton Row in Bloomsbury, conceives the idea of the nuclear chain reaction.
While stopped at a London traffic light, physicist Leo Szilard conceives the idea of a self-sustaining nuclear chain reaction.
On September 12, 1933, Hungarian physicist Leo Szilard paused at a red light on Southampton Row and envisioned how neutrons released by uranium fission could trigger a self-amplifying chain reaction. He realized that this process could release vast amounts of energy, laying the theoretical foundation for both nuclear reactors and atomic bombs. Szilard later collaborated with Enrico Fermi and other scientists to advance experimental nuclear physics. Concerned by the potential military implications, he became an early advocate for arms control. His insight marked a turning point in scientific history and ushered in the atomic age. Szilard's concept would revolutionize energy production and global geopolitics for decades to come.
1933
Leó Szilárd
Southampton Row
Bloomsbury
nuclear chain reaction
1940day.year
Cave paintings are discovered in Lascaux, France.
Spectacular Paleolithic cave paintings are uncovered in Lascaux, revealing ancient artistry preserved for millennia.
On September 12, 1940, four teenagers stumbled upon a hidden chamber in the Lascaux cave complex near Montignac in southwestern France. Inside, they discovered a gallery of vibrant Paleolithic paintings depicting horses, bulls, and deer rendered in earthy pigments. The artwork, estimated to be around 17,000 years old, offered an unprecedented glimpse into early human creativity and ritual. Researchers quickly realized the importance of this prehistoric site, leading to intense archaeological study and conservation efforts. The caves were opened to the public in 1948, drawing generations eager to witness ancient art. Over time, concerns about damage from humidity and carbon dioxide led to restricted access and the construction of a precise replica. Lascaux remains one of the most significant archaeological and cultural treasures in the world.
1940
Cave paintings
Lascaux
1958day.year
Jack Kilby demonstrates the first working integrated circuit while working at Texas Instruments.
Texas Instruments engineer Jack Kilby unveils the first functional integrated circuit, initiating a revolution in electronics.
On September 12, 1958, Jack Kilby of Texas Instruments showcased the world's first working integrated circuit, combining multiple electronic components on a single germanium chip. His demonstration featured an operational oscillator circuit, proving the viability of miniaturized electronics. This breakthrough drastically reduced component size and manufacturing costs, laying the foundation for modern microelectronics. Kilby and TI quickly filed patents for the innovation, which would transform computing, telecommunications, and consumer devices. In 2000, Kilby was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics for his pioneering work. The integrated circuit remains one of the most significant technological advancements of the 20th century. Its development set the stage for the digital age and the proliferation of electronic products worldwide.
1958
Jack Kilby
integrated circuit
Texas Instruments
1959day.year
The Soviet Union launches a large rocket, Lunik II, at the Moon.
Lunik II became the first human-made object to reach the Moon, impacting its surface. This Soviet mission paved the way for future lunar exploration.
In September 1959, the Soviet space program achieved a historic milestone with the launch of Lunik II, the first spacecraft to reach and impact the Moon. The mission was part of the ambitious Luna series and carried scientific instruments to study cosmic rays and radiation between Earth and the Moon. Although it was not designed to return samples, its successful trajectory demonstrated reliable launch and navigation technologies. Lunik II’s impact marked humanity’s first physical contact with another celestial body. The achievement boosted Soviet prestige during the Cold War-era Space Race and spurred further lunar and planetary missions. By proving that a spacecraft could travel to and collide with the Moon, the mission laid critical groundwork for subsequent orbiters and landers.
1959
Soviet Union
Lunik II
1962day.year
US President John F. Kennedy delivers his "We choose to go to the Moon" speech at Rice University.
President Kennedy declared America’s ambition to land on the Moon by decade’s end in his iconic Rice University speech.
On September 12, 1962, President John F. Kennedy addressed a crowd at Rice University in Houston with his inspiring "We choose to go to the Moon" speech. He challenged the nation to commit to sending astronauts to the lunar surface before the close of the 1960s, framing it as a demonstration of American ingenuity and courage. Kennedy emphasized that this goal would entail “difficult” work and substantial investment, but he argued it was essential for national prestige and scientific leadership. His words galvanized public support and secured crucial funding for NASA’s Apollo program. In the following years, the United States marshaled vast resources, scientific talent, and technological innovation to meet this challenge. Kennedy’s speech remains a defining moment in the Space Race and a testament to visionary leadership in science and exploration.
1962
John F. Kennedy
We choose to go to the Moon
1966day.year
Gemini 11, the penultimate mission of NASA's Gemini program, and the current human altitude record holder (except for the Apollo lunar missions).
Gemini 11 set a new human altitude record and demonstrated critical docking and orbital maneuver techniques.
On September 12, 1966, NASA launched Gemini 11, crewed by Charles "Pete" Conrad and Richard Gordon, as the second-to-last flight of the Gemini series. The mission achieved a then-record Earth orbit of over 850 miles (1,370 kilometers) by firing the Agena target vehicle’s engine, establishing a new human-altitude milestone. Gemini 11 successfully demonstrated advanced rendezvous and docking procedures that would be essential for future lunar missions. The astronauts conducted a spacewalk to test mobility and operational tasks in microgravity. Their experiments refined techniques for stationkeeping and spacecraft propulsion control. Gemini 11’s achievements marked a significant leap in U.S. spaceflight capabilities and prepared the way for the Apollo landings on the Moon.
1966
Gemini 11
Gemini program
Apollo lunar missions
1991day.year
NASA launches Space Shuttle Discovery on STS-48 to deploy the Upper Atmosphere Research Satellite.
Space Shuttle Discovery launched on STS-48 on September 12, 1991, deploying the Upper Atmosphere Research Satellite to study Earth's upper atmosphere.
On September 12, 1991, NASA's Space Shuttle Discovery lifted off from Kennedy Space Center for mission STS-48. The primary objective was deploying the Upper Atmosphere Research Satellite (UARS), designed to collect data on ozone concentrations, chemistry, and energy inputs in the upper atmosphere. The four-person crew conducted experiments in microgravity and tested new remote-sensing instruments. UARS operated for over a decade, significantly enhancing scientists' understanding of atmospheric processes and human impacts on the ozone layer. The mission demonstrated NASA's commitment to Earth science and bolstered international climate research efforts. Discovery safely returned to Earth after five days in orbit, marking another success for the shuttle program.
1991
Space Shuttle Discovery
STS-48
Upper Atmosphere Research Satellite
1992day.year
NASA launches Space Shuttle Endeavour on STS-47 which marked the 50th shuttle mission. On board are Mae Carol Jemison, the first African-American woman in space, Mamoru Mohri, the first Japanese citizen to fly in a US spaceship, and Mark Lee and Jan Davis, the first married couple in space.
STS-47 launched on September 12, 1992, marking NASA's 50th shuttle mission and featuring historic firsts in crew diversity and composition.
Space Shuttle Endeavour lifted off on STS-47 with a seven-member crew, including Mae Carol Jemison, the first African-American woman in space. Japanese payload specialist Mamoru Mohri became the first Japanese citizen to fly aboard a U.S. spacecraft, and mission specialists Mark Lee and Jan Davis were the first married couple in space. The flight conducted Spacelab-J experiments sponsored jointly by NASA and the Japanese space agency, covering materials science, life sciences, and Earth observations. The mission underscored international collaboration and widened access to space for underrepresented groups. STS-47's success demonstrated the shuttle program's versatility in research and crew assignments. Endeavour returned to land on September 20, 1992, completing the milestone mission.
1992
NASA
Space Shuttle Endeavour
STS-47
Mae Carol Jemison
African-American
Mamoru Mohri
Mark Lee
Jan Davis
1993day.year
NASA launches Space Shuttle Discovery on STS-51.
NASA launched the Space Shuttle Discovery on mission STS-51, beginning a pivotal orbital research flight.
On September 12, 1993, NASA launched Space Shuttle Discovery on mission STS-51 from Kennedy Space Center.
The crew of seven carried a range of payloads, including the Advanced Communications Technology Satellite (ACTS).
Discovery also deployed and retrieved the Shuttle Pallet Satellite (SPAS), demonstrating satellite servicing capabilities.
The flight tested advanced tracking and data relay technologies, paving the way for future communications missions.
STS-51 orbited Earth for ten days before safely returning to Kennedy Space Center.
This mission highlighted the Space Shuttle program’s versatility and emphasis on scientific research in orbit.
1993
STS-51
2013day.year
NASA confirms that its Voyager 1 probe has become the first manmade object to enter interstellar space.
NASA’s Voyager 1 probe became the first human-made object to enter interstellar space.
Voyager 1 was launched in 1977 and has traveled beyond the solar system's heliosphere—the bubble created by the Sun's solar wind. On September 12, 2013, NASA confirmed that instrument readings showed a sharp decline in solar particles and a rise in galactic cosmic rays, indicating passage into interstellar space. Now over 18 billion kilometers from Earth, Voyager 1 continues to relay data about the boundary regions of our solar neighborhood. The milestone marked a groundbreaking achievement in space exploration and deepened our understanding of the interstellar environment. This journey underscores the enduring legacy of the Voyager program and its contributions to planetary and heliophysics research.
2013
NASA
Voyager 1
manmade object to enter interstellar space