December 12

Events

627day.year

Battle of Nineveh: A Byzantine army under Emperor Heraclius defeats Emperor Khosrau II's Persian forces, commanded by General Rhahzadh.

In December 627, Emperor Heraclius led a Byzantine army to a decisive victory over Persian forces at the Battle of Nineveh.
In December 627, Emperor Heraclius led a Byzantine army against the Sasanian Persians at Nineveh, near modern-day Mosul. Heraclius's troops executed a daring flanking maneuver that caught the Persians under General Rhahzadh off guard. The Battle of Nineveh resulted in a decisive Byzantine victory, forcing Khosrau II's forces into a hasty retreat. This triumph marked a turning point in the long Byzantine–Sasanian War, shifting momentum firmly in favor of Byzantium. It enabled the Byzantines to recapture key territories in Mesopotamia and Syria over the following years. Heraclius's success at Nineveh became legendary, celebrated in imperial chronicles and later military treatises. The defeat also weakened Sasanian power on the eve of the Islamic conquests, altering the region's historical trajectory.
627 Battle of Nineveh Byzantine Heraclius Khosrau II Persian General Rhahzadh
1388day.year

Maria of Enghien sells the lordship of Argos and Nauplia to the Republic of Venice.

In 1388, Maria of Enghien sold her lordship of Argos and Nauplia to the Republic of Venice, extending Venetian reach in Greece.
In December 1388, Maria of Enghien, the Latin princess of Achaea, finalized the sale of her lordship of Argos and Nauplia to the Republic of Venice. The transaction transferred strategic coastal fortresses in the Peloponnese to the burgeoning maritime power of Venice. This sale reflected the complex feudal dynamics in Frankish Greece following the Fourth Crusade. By acquiring Argos and Nauplia, Venice secured vital trading posts and strengthened its naval dominance in the eastern Mediterranean. Local Greek and Latin inhabitants experienced shifts in administration, legal systems, and defense policies under Venetian rule. The acquisition laid the groundwork for centuries of Venetian presence and commercial activity in the region.
1388 Maria of Enghien Argos and Nauplia Republic of Venice
1787day.year

Pennsylvania becomes the second state to ratify the US Constitution.

In 1787, Pennsylvania became the second state to ratify the U.S. Constitution, bolstering support for the new federal government.
On December 12, 1787, delegates from Pennsylvania ratified the newly drafted U.S. Constitution in Philadelphia. Following Delaware's unanimous approval, Pennsylvania's ratification further legitimized the proposed federal government structure. The decision came amid intense debates over the balance of power between states and the central government. Key figures such as Benjamin Franklin and James Wilson played pivotal roles in securing support for ratification. Pennsylvania's early endorsement encouraged other states to join the Union, leading to the Constitution's eventual implementation in 1789. This milestone marked a crucial step toward the establishment of the United States under its current founding document.
1787 Pennsylvania US Constitution
1862day.year

American Civil War: USS Cairo sinks on the Yazoo River.

In 1862, the Union ironclad USS Cairo became the first U.S. Navy ship sunk by a naval mine on the Yazoo River during the Civil War.
On December 12, 1862, the Union ironclad USS Cairo struck a submerged torpedo (naval mine) in the Yazoo River, Mississippi. She became the first U.S. Navy ship to be sunk by an electrically detonated mine during combat. Built as part of the City-class ironclad fleet, the Cairo was tasked with securing river routes for Union forces. The explosion caused catastrophic hull damage, and the vessel sank within minutes, fortunately with no loss of life. Her wreck lay undiscovered for over a century until it was raised and conserved in 1964. Today, the USS Cairo is preserved at the Vicksburg National Military Park as a testament to Civil War naval innovation.
1862 American Civil War USS Cairo Yazoo River
1866day.year

Oaks explosion: The worst mining disaster in England kills 361 miners and rescuers.

The 1866 Oaks explosion in Yorkshire became England's worst mining disaster, killing 361 miners and rescuers.
On December 12, 1866, a devastating explosion tore through the Oaks Colliery in Barnsley, Yorkshire. Ignited by an accumulation of firedamp, the blast claimed the lives of 361 miners and would-be rescuers. Witnesses described tremors that rattled nearby villages, followed by billowing clouds of dust and debris. The tragedy prompted public outcry over mine safety standards and the need for improved ventilation systems. Subsequent inquiries led to stricter regulations in the mining industry to prevent similar catastrophes. A memorial now stands near the former colliery site, honoring the lives lost in the worst mining accident in England.
1866 Oaks explosion
1870day.year

Joseph H. Rainey of South Carolina becomes the second black U.S. congressman.

In 1870, Joseph H. Rainey of South Carolina became the second African American elected to the U.S. Congress during Reconstruction.
On December 12, 1870, Joseph H. Rainey was sworn in as a U.S. Representative from South Carolina. Following the landmark election of Hiram Rhodes Revels to the Senate earlier that year, Rainey joined Congress as the second black member. A formerly enslaved man, Rainey served during the tumultuous Reconstruction era, advocating for civil rights and public education. He worked on committees addressing maritime affairs and championed legislation to protect the rights of freedmen. Rainey's tenure symbolized the brief progress in African American political representation after the Civil War. His achievements laid the groundwork for future generations of black American legislators.
1870 Joseph H. Rainey South Carolina U.S. congressman
1901day.year

Guglielmo Marconi receives the first transatlantic radio signal (the letter "S" [•••] in Morse Code), at Signal Hill in St John's, Newfoundland.

In 1901, Guglielmo Marconi achieved the first transatlantic wireless signal by receiving the Morse code 'S' at Signal Hill in Newfoundland.
On December 12, 1901, Italian inventor Guglielmo Marconi successfully detected the Morse code letter 'S' sent from Cornwall, England. Using a wireless telegraphy system atop Signal Hill in St John's, Newfoundland, Marconi bridged the Atlantic without cables. This breakthrough proved that radio waves could travel beyond the horizon, defying conventional scientific beliefs. Marconi's achievement ushered in a new era of global communication, reducing reliance on submarine telegraph cables. His work laid the foundation for modern wireless technologies, from radio broadcasting to mobile communications. Today, Signal Hill commemorates this milestone with monuments and exhibits on the science of wireless transmission.
1901 Guglielmo Marconi Signal Hill St John's, Newfoundland
1915day.year

Yuan Shikai declares the establishment of the Empire of China and proclaims himself Emperor.

In 1915, Chinese President Yuan Shikai proclaimed himself Emperor, founding the short-lived Empire of China.
On December 12, 1915, General Yuan Shikai declared the restoration of the monarchy in China, naming himself Emperor of the new Empire of China. His coronation ended the nascent Republic of China, igniting widespread opposition among revolutionaries and provincial leaders. Critics decried the move as a power grab reminiscent of the Qing dynasty's fall, undermining hopes for democratic governance. Within months, rebellions erupted across southern China, forcing Yuan to abandon the imperial title by March 1916. Yuan's failed bid for absolute power further destabilized China, leading to the fragmentation of authority among warlords. The episode underscored the fragile nature of China's early republican experiment and shaped its tumultuous 20th-century history.
1915 Yuan Shikai Empire of China Emperor
1917day.year

Father Edward J. Flanagan founds Boys Town as a farm village for wayward boys.

In 1917, Father Edward J. Flanagan founded Boys Town as a farm community in Nebraska, offering care and education for troubled youths.
On December 12, 1917, Irish-American priest Edward J. Flanagan established Boys Town near Omaha to shelter and rehabilitate neglected boys. Originally conceived as a farm village, the community provided food, schooling, medical care, and vocational training. Flanagan's compassionate model emphasized family-style homes and democratic self-governance among the boys. Boys Town's success attracted national attention and donations, inspiring similar child welfare initiatives across the United States. The institution received a Congressional charter in 1936, cementing its role in youth reform and social services. Today, Boys Town remains a leading organization in foster care, counseling, and education for at-risk children.
1917 Edward J. Flanagan Boys Town
1935day.year

The Lebensborn Project, a Nazi reproduction program, is founded by Heinrich Himmler.

In 1935, Heinrich Himmler established the Lebensborn program, a Nazi initiative to promote 'racial purity' through selective breeding.
On December 12, 1935, SS leader Heinrich Himmler launched the Lebensborn program in Nazi Germany. Designed to increase the birth rate of 'Aryan' children, the project provided maternity homes and financial incentives for racially approved families. It facilitated adoptions and surreptitious placement of children deemed of pure German descent. Lebensborn clinics operated across occupied Europe, often separating children from non-German parents or single mothers. After World War II, the program's practices sparked legal and moral controversies, with many children facing identity struggles. Lebensborn remains a stark example of state-sanctioned eugenics and the human cost of extremist ideology.
1935 Lebensborn Heinrich Himmler
1936day.year

The beginning of Xi'an incident. As a result, Chiang Kai Shek is captured.

Chinese generals Zhang Xueliang and Yang Hucheng kidnap Chiang Kai-shek in Xi'an, forcing him to cooperate with Communists against Japan.
On December 12, 1936, in Xi'an, marshal Zhang Xueliang and general Yang Hucheng detained national leader Chiang Kai-shek. Under pressure, Chiang agreed to halt the civil war against the Communists to face the Japanese invasion. The incident lasted two weeks before Chiang’s release, mediated by the Communist leader Zhou Enlai. It led to the formation of the Second United Front between the Nationalists and Communists. This pivotal event shifted the balance of power in pre-World War II China and reshaped its political landscape. It remains a landmark moment of reluctant cooperation amid looming external threats.
1936 Xi'an incident Chiang Kai Shek
1937day.year

Second Sino-Japanese War: USS Panay incident: Japanese aircraft bomb and sink U.S. gunboat USS Panay on the Yangtze river in China.

During the Second Sino-Japanese War, Japanese aircraft bomb the U.S. gunboat USS Panay on the Yangtze River, straining US–Japan relations.
On December 12, 1937, Japanese Navy planes attacked USS Panay as it evacuated American diplomatic staff in Nanking. Despite clear American markings, the gunboat was strafed and shelled, leading to its sinking and the loss of three lives. The United States lodged formal protests, and Japan issued an apology along with indemnity payments. The incident highlighted the volatility of China’s conflict and foreshadowed escalating tensions in the Pacific. It remains a significant episode demonstrating the dangers faced by neutral vessels in wartime China. The Panay’s sinking prompted the Navy to reassess protocols for flag display and ship movements in conflict zones.
1937 Second Sino-Japanese War USS Panay incident Japanese USS Panay Yangtze