On This Day in History – November 12

November 12 has seen the rise of revolutions, the birth of scientific breakthroughs, and major shifts in global politics. From milestones in space exploration to pivotal cultural events, this date offers a window into how humanity has repeatedly reshaped its destiny.

Major Events

1. 1793 – Jean Sylvain Bailly, the first Mayor of Paris and a revolutionary leader, is executed during the French Revolution, highlighting the Reign of Terror’s political volatility.
2. 1859 – The first modern Olympic-style gymnastics competition takes place in Prague, helping to popularize organized sports across Europe.
3. 1892 – William “Pudge” Heffelfinger becomes the first documented professional American football player when he’s paid $500 to play in a game for the Allegheny Athletic Association.
4. 1912 – The frozen bodies of Robert Falcon Scott’s Antarctic expedition are discovered, ending one of the most tragic tales of polar exploration.
5. 1927 – Leon Trotsky is expelled from the Soviet Communist Party, marking Joseph Stalin’s total consolidation of power in the USSR.
6. 1933 – The first known photo of the Loch Ness Monster is taken, sparking one of the world’s longest-running cryptozoological legends.
7. 1948 – Japan’s postwar constitution goes into effect, formally ending imperial militarism and establishing democracy.
8. 1954 – Ellis Island closes after processing more than 12 million immigrants since opening in 1892, symbolizing the end of an era in U.S. immigration history.
9. 1980 – NASA’s Voyager 1 spacecraft makes its closest approach to Saturn, sending back breathtaking images of the planet and its rings.
10. 1990 – Akihito is formally enthroned as Emperor of Japan, beginning the Heisei era following the death of Emperor Hirohito.
11. 2001 – American Airlines Flight 587 crashes in Queens, New York, shortly after takeoff, killing all 260 people on board.
12. 2019 – Bolivia’s President Evo Morales resigns amid protests and accusations of election fraud, ending 14 years in power.

Famous Birthdays

1. Auguste Rodin (1840–1917) — French sculptor whose works, including The Thinker and The Kiss, revolutionized modern sculpture.
2. Sun Yat-sen (1866–1925) — Chinese revolutionary leader known as the “Father of Modern China,” who played a key role in overthrowing the Qing Dynasty.
3. Grace Kelly (1929–1982) — American actress and Princess of Monaco, renowned for her elegance and Hollywood legacy.
4. Neil Young (1945– ) — Canadian-American musician and songwriter, a key figure in folk and rock music.
5. Charles Manson (1934–2017) — American cult leader whose followers committed the infamous Tate–LaBianca murders in 1969.
6. Tonya Harding (1970– ) — American figure skater and athlete, known for her role in one of the most controversial scandals in sports history.
7. Anne Hathaway (1982– ) — American actress and Academy Award winner known for Les Misérables and The Devil Wears Prada.
8. Ryan Gosling (1980– ) — Canadian actor and musician, acclaimed for performances in La La Land and Drive.
9. Nadia Comăneci (1961– ) — Romanian gymnast, the first to score a perfect 10 in Olympic history.
10. Russell Westbrook (1988– ) — American professional basketball player and NBA MVP.

Notable Deaths

1. Elizabeth Cady Stanton (1815–1902) — American suffragist and social activist, a pioneer of the early women’s rights movement.
2. Max Shreck (1879–1936) — German actor best known for portraying Count Orlok in the silent horror film Nosferatu.
3. Wilma Rudolph (1940–1994) — American Olympic sprinter who overcame polio to become one of the fastest women in the world.
4. Henri Fabre (1882–1984) — French inventor of the first successful seaplane, a milestone in aviation.
5. Michael Ende (1929–1995) — German author of The Neverending Story, a classic of fantasy literature.
6. Valerie Solanas (1936–1988) — American radical feminist best known for her SCUM Manifesto and for shooting artist Andy Warhol.
7. John P. Marquand (1893–1960) — American novelist and Pulitzer Prize winner known for his depiction of upper-class American life.
8. Norman Mailer (1923–2007) — American novelist and journalist, co-founder of The Village Voice.
9. Chad Varah (1911–2007) — British Anglican priest and founder of The Samaritans, the world’s first suicide prevention hotline.

Holidays

• World Pneumonia Day — Raises global awareness about the disease and promotes prevention and treatment efforts.
• National Happy Hour Day (U.S.) — Informal celebration promoting socialization and leisure.
• Birth of Sun Yat-sen (China & Taiwan) — Commemorates the life and achievements of the founder of the Republic of China.
• Deepavali/Diwali (varies) — The Hindu Festival of Lights often falls around this date, celebrating the triumph of light over darkness.

Fun Facts

• Auguste Rodin’s The Thinker was originally conceived as part of a larger work called The Gates of Hell, inspired by Dante’s Inferno.
• Ellis Island processed up to 12,000 immigrants per day at its peak in 1907.
• Voyager 1’s flyby of Saturn in 1980 provided the first close-up images of its complex ring system.
• Sun Yat-sen is the only figure revered in both mainland China and Taiwan for his revolutionary leadership.
• The Loch Ness Monster photo taken on November 12, 1933, was later revealed to be a hoax, though the myth endures.