April 12 is the 102nd day of the year in the Gregorian calendar; 263 days remain until the end of the year.
We have some interesting facts & historic events all about April 12th, including areas in religion, crime, health and more.
Keep reading for more interesting facts about April 12th in history!
Table of Contents
Global Celebrations
- International Day Of Space Flight.
- International Day Of Street Children.
- National Walk On Your Wild Side Day
- National Licorice Day
- National Grilled Cheese Sandwich Day
- International Be Kind To Lawyers Day
Historic Events
What Happened On This Day – April 12
1988: The Last Emperor receives nine Academy Awards
Bernardo Bertolucci’s biopic about Puyi, the last Emperor of China, was the first film to be awarded all the Oscars it was nominated for.
1981: The Space Shuttle blasts off into space for the first time
Two astronauts took off for Space Shuttle Columbia’s first orbital test flight.
1961: Yuri Gagarin becomes the first human in space
The Soviet Cosmonaut orbited the Earth aboard the Vostok-3KA spacecraft (Vostok 1 mission). The first human spaceflight took 108 minutes from launch to landing.
1937: The first aircraft jet engine is successfully tested
Sir Frank Whittle invented and tested the engine, only a few months before German engineer Hans von Ohain ran his jet engine, which was to power the first ever all-jet aircraft.
1861: The American Civil War begins
The bombardment of Fort Sumter near Charleston, South Carolina marked the beginning of hostilities. The conflict was sparked by deepening economic, social, and political differences between the southern and northern states, which were most palpably embodied by the dispute about the legitimacy of slavery. The southern (pro-slavery) states, surrendered in 1865, ending the war.
1998: OutLook Indian magazine in 1998.
1968: Experimental monorail train on air cushion «Aerotrain 02». France, 1968.
1961: the first human space flight was carried out by Yuri Gagarin, a Soviet citizen. This historic event opened the way for space exploration for the benefit of all humanity.
1955: Researchers announced that the polio vaccine was safe and effective and got approval in America in 1955.
1942: Japan kills about 400 Filipino officers in Bataan in 1942.
1778: Philadelphia’s Free African Society forms in 1778.
Famous Birthdays
Births On This Day, April 12
1947: David Letterman, American comedian, talk show host
1947: Tom Clancy, American author
1940: Herbie Hancock, American pianist, composer, bandleader
1871: Ioannis Metaxas, Greek general, politician, 130th Prime Minister of Greece
1823: Alexander Ostrovsky, Russian playwright
Jennifer Morrison was born.
Brendon Urie was born.
David letterman was born.
Heartbreaking Deaths
Deaths On This Day, April 12
1989: Sugar Ray Robinson, American boxer
1981: Joe Louis, American boxer
1975: Josephine Baker, American/French actress, singer, dancer
1945: Franklin D. Roosevelt, American politician, 32nd President of the United States
1555: Joanna of Castile
F.D. Roosevelt died.
Sugar Ray Robinson died.
Ludvig Nobel died.
