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
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
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
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
1945day.year
The People's Republic of Korea is outlawed in the South, by order of the United States Army Military Government in Korea.
The US Army Military Government in Korea bans the People's Republic of Korea in the South, consolidating division on the peninsula.
On December 12, 1945, the United States Army Military Government in Korea officially outlawed the People's Republic of Korea (PRK) in the southern zone.
The PRK had been established by local leaders seeking a unified, independent Korean state after Japanese colonial rule.
US authorities viewed the PRK as communist-influenced and a threat to their administrative control.
The ban suppressed nationalist political activity and deepened political divisions between north and south.
This action paved the way for the formation of separate governments in Korea and set the stage for the Korean War.
The outlawing of the PRK remains a key moment in the peninsula’s postwar history.
1945
People's Republic of Korea
South
United States Army Military Government in Korea
1946day.year
United Nations Security Council Resolution 13 relating to acceptance of Siam (now Thailand) to the United Nations is adopted.
The UN Security Council adopts Resolution 13, inviting Siam (Thailand) to join the United Nations as a founding postwar member.
On December 12, 1946, the United Nations Security Council unanimously approved Resolution 13, recommending Siam’s admission to the UN.
This decision was forwarded to the General Assembly, which later granted full membership to Thailand.
During World War II, Siam had aligned with Japan but quickly shifted allegiance to the Allies.
UN membership signified international forgiveness and reintegration into the postwar order.
Thailand became the seventh Asian nation to join the United Nations, strengthening its global diplomatic presence.
This milestone marked an important step in Siam’s transformation into modern Thailand.
1946
United Nations Security Council Resolution 13
Thailand
United Nations
1956day.year
United Nations Security Council Resolution 121 relating to acceptance of Japan to the United Nations is adopted.
The UN Security Council endorses Resolution 121, approving Japan's admission to the United Nations under postwar peace settlement.
On December 12, 1956, the UN Security Council adopted Resolution 121, recommending Japan’s membership in the United Nations.
This endorsement followed Japan’s recovery from wartime devastation and the end of Allied occupation.
Japan’s admission was a symbolic act of reconciliation and a sign of its renewed peace-oriented foreign policy.
Membership opened doors to international cooperation in economic development, culture, and security.
Japan subsequently joined key UN agencies and became an active contributor to global initiatives.
This accession cemented Japan’s status as a respected member of the international community.
1956
United Nations Security Council Resolution 121
Japan
1963day.year
Kenya declares independence from Great Britain.
Kenya gains independence from Great Britain, becoming a sovereign nation under President Jomo Kenyatta.
On December 12, 1963, the Kenyan Independence Act came into force, marking the end of British colonial rule.
Jomo Kenyatta became the nation’s first Prime Minister and later its first President.
The move followed years of political struggle and the Mau Mau uprising against colonial policies.
A new constitution established a parliamentary system and safeguarded civil liberties.
Kenya joined the Commonwealth of Nations the same day, maintaining friendly ties with the UK.
Independence of Kenya served as an inspiring milestone in Africa’s broader decolonization movement.
1963
Kenya
1979day.year
Coup d'état of December Twelfth occurs in South Korea.
On December 12, 1979, Major General Chun Doo-hwan led a military coup d'état in South Korea, seizing control of the government from civilian authorities. The uprising set the stage for years of authoritarian rule under Chun's leadership.
Following the assassination of President Park Chung-hee in October 1979, South Korea was plunged into political uncertainty. On December 12, 1979, General Chun Doo-hwan orchestrated a coup d'état by mobilizing paratroopers to arrest key officials of the Army Security Command in Seoul. The swift takeover effectively neutralized potential opposition within the military and civilian government. Chun's coup paved the way for his eventual presidency and the establishment of the Fifth Republic. The events triggered protests and opposition from students and activists demanding a return to democratic governance. Despite promises of stability, Chun's regime was marked by political repression, including the brutal suppression of the Gwangju Uprising in May 1980. The December Twelfth coup remains a critical moment in South Korea's journey toward democracy, highlighting the tensions between military power and civilian rule.
Coup d'état of December Twelfth
2000day.year
The United States Supreme Court releases its decision in Bush v. Gore.
On December 12, 2000, the U.S. Supreme Court issued its landmark decision in Bush v. Gore, effectively deciding the outcome of the presidential election. The ruling halted Florida's recount, handing victory to George W. Bush over Al Gore.
In a controversial 7-2 decision on December 12, 2000, the Supreme Court ruled that the Florida vote recount violated the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment. The judgment stopped further manual recounts in the pivotal state, confirming George W. Bush's narrow lead. The case had been embroiled in legal battles over ballot designs, voter intent, and selective recounting practices. Critics argued the ruling lacked a solid judicial basis and undermined public confidence in the Court's impartiality. Supporters claimed it brought finality to an electoral crisis and prevented nationwide uncertainty. The decision remains a central moment in American electoral history, sparking debates on judicial intervention in democratic processes. Bush v. Gore continues to influence discussions about voting rights, election law, and the role of the judiciary in elections.
2000
United States Supreme Court
Bush v. Gore