1787

Pennsylvania becomes the second U.S. state. AI analysis

Pennsylvania's admission into the Union was an important step in the creation of the United States, contributing to the nation’s early political and economic development, and solidifying its position as a key state in the formation of the federal government. --AI Explanation

1800

The United States capital is moved from Philadelphia to Washington, D.C. AI analysis

The move of the capital to Washington, D.C. symbolized the federal government's increasing power and the desire for a neutral, centrally located seat of government, setting the stage for the city's growth and significance. --AI Explanation

1815

The Battle of New Orleans occurs, with Andrew Jackson leading American forces to victory over the British. AI analysis

The Battle of New Orleans was a significant American victory in the War of 1812, elevating Andrew Jackson to national prominence and contributing to a sense of American pride, despite the war officially ending before the battle. --AI Explanation

1862

The Battle of Fredericksburg takes place during the American Civil War. AI analysis

The Battle of Fredericksburg was a major Confederate victory, showcasing General Robert E. Lee's military strategy and marking a significant moment in the early phases of the Civil War. --AI Explanation

1899

The United States captures the Philippine capital of Manila, effectively ending the Philippine–American War. AI analysis

The capture of Manila solidified U.S. control over the Philippines, a controversial and bloody chapter in American imperialism, leading to the Philippines becoming an American colony. --AI Explanation

1901

The first Nobel Prizes are awarded in Stockholm, Sweden. AI analysis

The Nobel Prizes, founded by Alfred Nobel, honored those who made groundbreaking contributions to humanity in fields such as science, literature, and peace, establishing a prestigious global tradition that continues today. --AI Explanation

1911

The birth of the first transcontinental flight across the United States. AI analysis

The successful completion of the first transcontinental flight highlighted advancements in aviation, furthering public interest and investment in the aviation industry, paving the way for future air travel. --AI Explanation

1925

The trial of John Scopes, also known as the "Scopes Monkey Trial," begins in Tennessee. AI analysis

The Scopes Trial, a pivotal moment in the cultural conflict between science and religion in the United States, challenged the legality of teaching evolution in schools and brought national attention to the debate over education and freedom of thought. --AI Explanation

1937

The Nanjing Massacre begins in China, resulting in widespread atrocities committed by the Japanese army. AI analysis

The Nanjing Massacre was one of the most horrific war crimes of the Second Sino-Japanese War, with the Japanese forces committing brutal acts of violence, leading to widespread condemnation and long-lasting impact on Chinese national memory. --AI Explanation

1941

The Japanese attack Pearl Harbor, prompting the United States to enter World War II. AI analysis

The surprise attack on Pearl Harbor marked a pivotal moment in world history, drawing the United States into World War II and changing the course of the conflict, with the U.S. aligning itself with the Allies against the Axis powers. --AI Explanation

1946

The first meeting of the United Nations General Assembly takes place in New York City. AI analysis

The first meeting of the UN General Assembly in New York marked the beginning of the UN’s global mission to maintain peace, promote human rights, and address international issues through cooperation and diplomacy. --AI Explanation

1957

The Soviet Union announces the successful launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM). AI analysis

The launch of the Soviet ICBM marked a significant advancement in the arms race during the Cold War, raising concerns about global security and leading to a dramatic shift in military strategies and geopolitical tensions. --AI Explanation

1961

The Soviet Union launches the Venera 1 spacecraft, the first attempt to reach Venus. AI analysis

The launch of Venera 1 was part of the Soviet Union’s ambitious space program, marking the first attempt to explore Venus, highlighting the growing competition between the U.S. and the USSR in the space race. --AI Explanation

1963

Kenya gains independence from the United Kingdom. AI analysis

Kenya’s independence marked a key moment in the wave of decolonization across Africa, as the country transitioned to self-rule, signaling the end of British colonial control and the rise of African nationalism. --AI Explanation

1977

President Jimmy Carter announces the creation of the Department of Energy in the United States. AI analysis

The creation of the Department of Energy was a response to the 1970s energy crisis, aimed at consolidating energy policy and resources under one federal agency to address energy production, conservation, and regulation. --AI Explanation

1991

The dissolution of the Soviet Union begins, leading to the end of the Cold War. AI analysis

The dissolution of the Soviet Union marked the end of the Cold War and the collapse of communist rule in Eastern Europe, leading to the emergence of independent republics and a new global order dominated by the United States. --AI Explanation

1992

The European Union's Maastricht Treaty is signed, establishing the European Union. AI analysis

The Maastricht Treaty was a landmark agreement that established the European Union, promoting deeper political and economic integration among European nations and laying the foundation for the Euro currency. --AI Explanation

2000

The United States Supreme Court delivers its decision in Bush v. Gore, resolving the presidential election dispute. AI analysis

The Supreme Court’s ruling in Bush v. Gore ended the contentious 2000 U.S. presidential election, securing George W. Bush’s victory and highlighting the role of judicial intervention in electoral politics. --AI Explanation

2001

The United Nations adopts the Universal Declaration on Bioethics and Human Rights. AI analysis

The Universal Declaration on Bioethics emphasized the protection of human rights in relation to advancements in biotechnology and medicine, ensuring ethical standards in scientific research and healthcare practices. --AI Explanation

2012

The United Nations adopts the International Day of Neutrality, emphasizing peaceful diplomacy. AI analysis

The adoption of the International Day of Neutrality by the UN highlighted the importance of diplomacy and non-alignment in maintaining global peace, encouraging countries to remain neutral in international conflicts. --AI Explanation

December 12 Birthdays

1526

Álvaro de Bazán

1st Marquis of Santa Cruz, Spanish admiral

(d. 1588)

1685

Lodovico Giustini

Italian pianist and composer

(d. 1743)

1724

Samuel Hood

1st Viscount Hood, English admiral and politician

(d. 1816)

1786

William L. Marcy

American lawyer, judge, and politician, 21st United States Secretary of State

(d. 1857)

1799

Karl Bryullov

Russian painter

(d. 1852)

1805

Henry Wells

American businessman, co-founded Wells Fargo and American Express

(d. 1878)

1806

Stand Watie

American general

(d. 1871)

1812

John Sandfield Macdonald

Canadian lawyer and politician, 1st Premier of Ontario

(d. 1872)

1821

Gustave Flaubert

French novelist

(d. 1880)

1830

Joseph Orville Shelby

Confederate general

(d. 1897)

1842

Adolf Bötticher

German journalist and historian

(d. 1901)

1845

Bruce Price

American architect, designed the American Surety Building and Bank of the Metropolis

(d. 1903)

1863

Edvard Munch

Norwegian painter

(d. 1944)

1866

Alfred Werner

Swiss chemist and academic, Nobel Prize laureate

(d. 1919)

1870

Walter Benona Sharp

American businessman, co-founded Hughes Tool Company

(d. 1912)

1876

Alvin Kraenzlein

American hurdler and runner

(d. 1928)

1881

Louise Thuliez

French school teacher, resistance fighter during World War I and World War II and author

(d. 1966)

1893

Edward G. Robinson

American actor

(d. 1973)

1901

Harald Kaarmann

Estonian footballer

(d. 1942)

1907

Roy Douglas

English pianist and composer

(d. 2015)

1912

Henry Armstrong

American boxer

(d. 1988)

1914

Patrick O'Brian

English author

(d. 2000)

1915

Frank Sinatra

American singer, actor, and producer

(d. 1998)

1918

Joe Williams

American singer and pianist

(d. 1999)

1920

Josef Doležal

Czech race walker

(d. 1999)

1923

Bob Barker

American game show host and producer

(d. 2023)

1923

Bob Dorough

American musician, composer, and producer

(d. 2018)

1923

Emahoy Tsegué-Maryam Guèbrou

Ethiopian pianist, composer and nun

(d. 2023)

1924

Ed Koch

American politician, 105th Mayor of New York City

(d. 2013)

1925

Ted Kennedy

Canadian ice hockey player

(d. 2009)

1925

Dattu Phadkar

Indian cricketer

(d. 1985)

1925

Vladimir Shainsky

Ukrainian-Russian pianist and composer

(d. 2017)

1927

Robert Noyce

American inventor and businessman, co-founded the Intel Corporation

(d. 1990)

1928

Helen Frankenthaler

American painter and academic

(d. 2011)

1929

Toshiko Akiyoshi

Japanese pianist and compose

r

1932

Bob Pettit

American basketball player and coac

h

1933

Christa Stubnick

German sprinter

(d. 2021)

1934

Miguel de la Madrid

Mexican lawyer and politician, 52nd President of Mexico

(d. 2012)

1936

Iolanda Balaș

Romanian high jumper and educator

(d. 2016)

1937

Connie Francis

American singer, musician, and actres

s

1937

Philip Ledger

English pianist, composer, and academic

(d. 2012)

1940

Sharad Pawar

Indian politician, Indian Minister of Agricultur

e

1940

Dionne Warwick

American singe

r

1942

Bob Thompson

American jazz pianist, composer and arrange

r

1943

Dickey Betts

American musician and songwriter

(d. 2024)

1943

Grover Washington

Jr., American singer-songwriter, saxophonist, and producer

(d. 1999)

1945

Gísli S. Einarsson

Icelandic politicia

n

1945

Tony Williams

American drummer, composer, and producer

(d. 1997)

1946

Emerson Fittipaldi

Brazilian racing drive

r

1947

Wings Hauser

American acto

r

1947

Don Keith

American write

r

1947

Chris Mullin

English journalist and politicia

n

1948

Randy Smith

American basketball player

(d. 2009)

1948

Colin Todd

English football player and coac

h

1949

Bill Nighy

English acto

r

1949

Marc Ravalomanana

Malagasy businessman and politician, President of Madagasca

r

1950

Pedro Ferriz de Con

Mexican journalis

t

1950

Heiner Flassbeck

German economist and academi

c

1950

Rajinikanth

Indian acto

r

1950

Billy Smith

Canadian ice hockey player, coach, and manage

r

1950

Gorman Thomas

American baseball playe

r

1951

Rehman Malik

Pakistani politician, Pakistani Minister of Interio

r

1952

Cathy Rigby

American gymnas

t

1953

Martin Ferguson

Australian lawyer and politicia

n

1953

Rafael Septién

Mexican-American football playe

r

1955

Eddy Schepers

Belgian cyclis

t

1955

Stephen Smith

Australian politicia

n

1956

Johan van der Velde

Dutch cyclis

t

1957

Sheila E.

American singer and musicia

n

1958

Sheree J. Wilson

American actres

s

1960

Martina Hellmann

German discus throwe

r

1961

Andrey Perlov

Russian race walke

r

1962

Tracy Austin

American tennis player and sportscaste

r

1962

Arturo Barrios

Mexican-American runne

r

1962

Mike Golic

American football player and radio hos

t

1963

Eduardo Castro Luque

Mexican businessman and politicia

n

1964

Haywood Jeffires

American football player and coac

h

1964

Sabu

American wrestle

r

1965

Russell Batiste Jr.

American funk and R&B drummer

(d. 2023)

1967

John Randle

American football playe

r

1968

Sašo Udovič

Slovenian footballe

r

1969

Wilfred Kirochi

Kenyan runne

r

1969

Fiona May

English-Italian long jumpe

r

1969

Michael Möllenbeck

German discus throwe

r

1970

Mädchen Amick

American actress and directo

r

1970

Jennifer Connelly

American actres

s

1970

Regina Hall

American actres

s

1971

Sammy Korir

Kenyan runne

r

1972

Nicky Eaden

English footballer and coac

h

1972

Craig Field

Australian rugby league playe

r

1972

Wilson Kipketer

Kenyan-Danish runne

r

1972

Georgios Theodoridis

Greek sprinte

r

1974

Bernard Lagat

Kenyan-American runne

r

1974

Nolberto Solano

Peruvian footballer and manage

r

1975

Mayim Bialik

American actress, neuroscientist, and autho

r

1975

Craig Moore

Australian footballer and manage

r

1977

Yoel Hernández

Cuban hurdle

r

1977

Orlando Hudson

American baseball playe

r

1977

Dean Macey

English decathlete and bobsledde

r

1977

Colin White

Canadian ice hockey playe

r

1979

Garrett Atkins

American baseball playe

r

1979

Nate Clements

American football playe

r

1979

John Salmons

American basketball playe

r

1980

Dejene Berhanu

Ethiopian runner

(d. 2010)

1980

Dorin Goian

Romanian footballe

r

1981

Eddie Kingston

American wrestle

r

1981

Pedro Ríos

Spanish footballe

r

1981

Yuvraj Singh

Indian crickete

r

1981

Stephen Warnock

English footballe

r

1981

Andrew Whitworth

American football player and commentato

r

1982

Ervin Santana

Dominican baseball playe

r

1982

Dmitry Tursunov

Russian tennis player and coac

h

1983

Roni Porokara

Finnish footballe

r

1984

Daniel Agger

Danish footballe

r

1985

Pat Calathes

Greek-American basketball playe

r

1985

Andrew Ladd

Canadian ice hockey playe

r

1986

Daddy Birori

Rwandan footballe

r

1986

Përparim Hetemaj

Finnish footballe

r

1986

Nina Kolarič

Slovenian long jumpe

r

1986

T. J. Ward

American football playe

r

1988

Isaac John

New Zealand rugby league playe

r

1988

Lonah Chemtai Salpeter

Israeli Olympic marathon runne

r

1990

Nixon Chepseba

Kenyan runne

r

1990

Dawin

American singer-songwrite

r

1990

Tyron Smith

American football playe

r

1991

Joseph Leilua

Australian-Samoan rugby league playe

r

1993

Zeli Ismail

English footballe

r

1994

Otto Warmbier

American student imprisoned in North Korea

(d. 2017)

1996

Lucas Hedges

American acto

r

1997

Ed Oliver

American football playe

r

December 12 Deaths

1296

Isabella of Mar

first wife of Robert Bruce VII

(b. 1277)

1572

Loredana Marcello

Dogaressa of Venice, botanist, autho

r

1751

Henry St John

1st Viscount Bolingbroke, English philosopher and politician, Secretary at War

(b. 1678)

1766

Johann Christoph Gottsched

German philosopher, author, and critic

(b. 1700)

1794

Meshullam Feivush Heller

Ukrainian author

(b. 1742)

1858

Jacques Viger

Canadian archeologist and politician, 1st Mayor of Montreal

(b. 1787)

1889

Viktor Bunyakovsky

Ukrainian-Russian mathematician and theorist

(b. 1804)

1894

John Sparrow David Thompson

Canadian lawyer, judge, and politician, 4th Prime Minister of Canada

(b. 1845)

1913

Menelik II

Ethiopian emperor

(b. 1844)

1921

Henrietta Swan Leavitt

American astronomer and academic

(b. 1868)

1923

Raymond Radiguet

French author and poet

(b. 1903)

1934

Thorleif Haug

Norwegian skier

(b. 1894)

1939

Douglas Fairbanks

Sr., American actor, producer, and screenwriter

(b. 1883)

1941

César Basa

Filipino lieutenant and pilot

(b. 1915)

1948

Marjory Stephenson

British biochemist

(b. 1885)

1951

Mildred Bailey

American singer

(b. 1907)

1958

Albert Walsh

Canadian lawyer and politician, 1st Lieutenant Governor of Newfoundland

(b. 1900)

1966

Karl Ruberl

Austrian-American swimmer

(b. 1880)

1968

Tallulah Bankhead

American actress

(b. 1902)

1970

Doris Blackburn

Australian politician

(b. 1889)

1975

Richard Baggallay

English colonel and cricketer

(b. 1884)

1980

Jean Lesage

Canadian lawyer and politician, 19th Premier of Quebec

(b. 1912)

1985

Anne Baxter

American actress

(b. 1923)

1993

József Antall

Hungarian historian and politician, 35th Prime Minister of Hungary

(b. 1932)

1994

Stuart Roosa

American colonel, pilot, and astronaut

(b. 1933)

1996

Vance Packard

American journalist, author, and critic

(b. 1914)

1997

Evgenii Landis

Ukrainian-Russian mathematician and academic

(b. 1921)

1998

Lawton Chiles

American soldier, lawyer, and politician, 41st Governor of Florida

(b. 1930)

1998

Morris Udall

American captain and politician

(b. 1922)

1999

Paul Cadmus

American painter and illustrator

(b. 1904)

1999

Joseph Heller

American novelist, short story writer, and playwright

(b. 1923)

2001

Ardito Desio

Italian geologist and explorer

(b. 1897)

2002

Dee Brown

American historian and author

(b. 1908)

2003

Heydar Aliyev

Azerbaijani general and politician, 3rd President of Azerbaijan

(b. 1923)

2005

Robert Newmyer

American actor and producer

(b. 1956)

2005

Annette Stroyberg

Danish actress

(b. 1936)

2005

Gebran Tueni

Lebanese journalist and politician

(b. 1957)

2006

Paul Arizin

American basketball player

(b. 1928)

2006

Peter Boyle

American actor

(b. 1935)

2006

Raymond P. Shafer

American attorney and politician, 39th Governor of Pennsylvania

(b. 1917)

2006

Alan Shugart

American engineer and businessman, co-founded Seagate Technology

(b. 1930)

2007

François al-Hajj

Lebanese general

(b. 1953)

2007

Ike Turner

American singer-songwriter, guitarist, and producer

(b. 1931)

2008

Avery Dulles

American cardinal and theologian

(b. 1918)

2008

Van Johnson

American actor

(b. 1916)

2010

Tom Walkinshaw

Scottish race car driver, founded Tom Walkinshaw Racing

(b. 1946)

2012

Joe Allbritton

American banker, publisher, and philanthropist, founded the Allbritton Communications Company

(b. 1924)

2012

David Tait

English rugby player

(b. 1987)

2013

Tom Laughlin

American actor, director, screenwriter, author, educator, and activist

(b. 1931)

2013

Abdul Quader Molla

Bangladeshi journalist and politician

(b. 1948)

2013

Audrey Totter

American actress

(b. 1917)

2014

Norman Bridwell

American author and illustrator, created Clifford the Big Red Dog

(b. 1928)

2014

Ivor Grattan-Guinness

English mathematician, historian, and academic

(b. 1941)

2014

Herb Plews

American baseball player

(b. 1928)

2015

Frans Geurtsen

Dutch footballer

(b. 1942)

2015

Evelyn S. Lieberman

American politician, White House Deputy Chief of Staff

(b. 1944)

2016

Shirley Hazzard

Australian-American novelist, short story writer, and essayist

(b. 1931)

2017

Ed Lee

American politician and attorney, 43rd Mayor of San Francisco

(b. 1952)

2017

Pat DiNizio

American singer and songwriter

(b. 1955)

2019

Danny Aiello

American actor

(b. 1933)

2020

John le Carré

English author

(b. 1931)

2020

Ann Reinking

American actress, dancer, and choreographer

(b. 1949)

2021

Vicente Fernández

Mexican actor, ranchera singer, and film producer

(b, 1940)

2021

Bernie Fowler

American politician and environmental advocate

(b. 1924)

2021

Maʻafu Tukuiʻaulahi

Tongan politician and military officer, Deputy Prime Minister

(b. 1955)