On May 12, 1880, Thomas Edison conducted the first test of his electric railway in Menlo Park, New Jersey. This marked a significant milestone in the development of electric transportation, paving the way for modern electric trains and trams. --AI analysis

On May 12, 1949, the Soviet Union lifted its blockade of Berlin, ending a tense standoff that began in June 1948. The blockade was an attempt to force the Western powers out of the city, but it ultimately led to the formation of the Federal Republic of Germany and the establishment of the Berlin Airlift. --AI analysis

On May 12, 1958, the Canadian and American governments signed a formal agreement to create the St. Lawrence Seaway, a system of locks, canals, and channels that allows ocean-going vessels to travel from the Atlantic Ocean to the Great Lakes. The seaway has significantly boosted trade and economic development in the region. --AI analysis

On May 12, 1965, the Soviet spacecraft Luna 5 crashed on the Moon, marking the first time a spacecraft from Earth had reached the lunar surface. Although the mission was not successful in terms of landing safely, it provided valuable information about the Moon's surface and atmosphere. --AI analysis

On May 12, 1975, the Cambodian navy seized the American merchant ship Mayagüez in international waters, sparking a tense standoff between the United States and Cambodia. The incident eventually led to a military operation by the U.S. Marines to rescue the crew, resulting in the deaths of 15 Americans and an unknown number of Cambodians. --AI analysis

On May 12, 2008, a devastating earthquake struck Sichuan Province in China, causing widespread destruction and loss of life. The earthquake, which had a magnitude of 7.9, resulted in over 87,000 deaths and 374,176 injuries, making it one of the deadliest natural disasters in recent history. --AI analysis

On May 12, 2010, Afriqiyah Airways Flight 771 crashed while attempting to land in Tripoli, Libya, resulting in the deaths of 108 people. The accident was attributed to pilot error and inadequate training. --AI analysis

On May 12, 2015, an Amtrak train derailed in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, resulting in the deaths of eight people and injuries to over 200 others. The accident was later attributed to the train's excessive speed and the engineer's loss of situational awareness. --AI analysis

On May 12, 2016, Rami Makhlouf, a prominent Syrian businessman and cousin of President Bashar al-Assad, was dismissed from his position as head of Syrian Air. The move was seen as an attempt to placate international critics and ease economic sanctions against the Syrian government. --AI analysis

On May 12, 2018, the 2018 La Liga season came to an end, with Barcelona emerging as the champions. The team's victory marked their 25th La Liga title and capped off a successful season under the management of Ernesto Valverde. --AI analysis