December 12 is a date marked by numerous significant events throughout history, spanning from ancient battles to modern political milestones.
This article explores twenty noteworthy occurrences on this day, shedding light on moments that have shaped global history.
From pivotal battles and political transformations to scientific breakthroughs and significant social changes, December 12 offers a fascinating glimpse into the past. Join us as we delve into these events, each one leaving an indelible mark on the historical timeline.
December 12th – On this Day in History
627 – Battle of Nineveh

The Battle of Nineveh took place on December 12, 627, and was a decisive conflict between the Byzantine Empire and the Sassanian Empire. Emperor Heraclius led the Byzantine forces in a surprise attack against the army of Emperor Khosrau II of Persia near the ancient city of Nineveh.
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The battle was marked by Heraclius’s daring and strategic maneuvering, which ultimately led to a crushing defeat for the Persian forces. This victory was significant because it effectively ended the long-standing war between the two empires, allowing Heraclius to restore Byzantine control over lost territories and reclaim the True Cross, which had been captured by the Persians.
1098 – First Crusade: Massacre of Ma’arrat al-Numan
On December 12, 1098, during the First Crusade, the Crusaders captured the town of Ma’arrat al-Numan in present-day Syria.
After breaching the town’s defenses, the Crusaders massacred approximately 20,000 of its inhabitants. This brutal event highlighted the severe and often indiscriminate violence that characterized the Crusades.
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Reports from the time indicate that the Crusaders were driven to acts of cannibalism due to starvation during the siege. The Massacre of Ma’arrat al-Numan remains a notorious example of the horrors of the Crusades and the extreme measures taken by the Crusaders in their quest to reclaim the Holy Land.
1408 – Order of the Dragon Created
The Order of the Dragon was established on December 12, 1408, by Sigismund of Luxembourg, who was the King of Hungary at the time and later became the Holy Roman Emperor. The monarchical chivalric order was created to defend Christianity and fight against the Ottoman Turks and other enemies of the faith.
Members of the order pledged to uphold Christian values and protect the church. The symbol of the order was a dragon with its tail wrapped around its neck, which was meant to signify the defeat of paganism. The Order of the Dragon played a significant role in the political and military landscape of Central and Eastern Europe during the late Middle Ages.
1787 – Pennsylvania Ratifies the United States Constitution
On December 12, 1787, Pennsylvania became the second state to ratify the United States Constitution. This ratification was a crucial step in the establishment of the new nation’s government framework.
Pennsylvania’s decision to ratify the Constitution came just five days after Delaware, the first state, did so. The quick ratification by Pennsylvania, one of the most populous and influential states at the time, helped to build momentum for other states to follow suit.
The support from key states like Pennsylvania was instrumental in ensuring the success of the Constitution, which replaced the Articles of Confederation and created a stronger federal government.
1862 – American Civil War: USS Cairo Sinks

The USS Cairo, an ironclad warship of the Union Navy during the American Civil War, sank on December 12, 1862. The Cairo was patrolling the Yazoo River in Mississippi when it struck a Confederate mine, making it the first armored vessel to be sunk by an electrically detonated mine.
The sinking of the USS Cairo marked a significant development in naval warfare, showcasing the effectiveness of underwater mines as a defensive measure.
The wreck of the Cairo was rediscovered in 1956, and it was eventually raised and restored. Today, it is displayed at the Vicksburg National Military Park, serving as a historical artifact from the Civil War.
1870 – Joseph H. Rainey Becomes the Second Black U.S. Congressman
On December 12, 1870, Joseph H. Rainey of South Carolina was seated as the second African American member of the U.S. Congress and the first to serve in the House of Representatives. Rainey, who had been born into slavery in 1832, was elected during the Reconstruction era, a time when the United States was attempting to rebuild and integrate the Southern states after the Civil War.
His election and service were significant milestones in the struggle for African American civil rights. Rainey focused on civil rights legislation and efforts to combat the racial discrimination that persisted in the South. His legacy includes his advocacy for equal rights and his role in setting a precedent for future generations of African American politicians.
1897 – Belo Horizonte Founded
On December 12, 1897, Belo Horizonte, the first planned city in Brazil, was officially founded. The city was designed to be the new capital of the state of Minas Gerais, replacing Ouro Preto, which had become impractical as the administrative center due to its mountainous terrain.
The planning and construction of Belo Horizonte were influenced by the modern urban planning movements of the time, emphasizing organized street layouts and public spaces.
Belo Horizonte was intended to symbolize progress and modernization in Brazil, and it has grown to become one of the country’s major urban centers, known for its cultural, economic, and political significance.
1901 – Guglielmo Marconi Receives the First Transatlantic Radio Signal
On December 12, 1901, Guglielmo Marconi, an Italian inventor and electrical engineer, successfully received the first transatlantic radio signal. The signal, consisting of the Morse code letter “S,” was sent from Poldhu in Cornwall, United Kingdom, to St. John’s, Newfoundland, Canada.
This groundbreaking achievement marked a significant advancement in wireless communication, demonstrating that radio waves could travel over long distances and across the curvature of the Earth.
Marconi’s success laid the foundation for modern wireless communication, including radio, television, and eventually, mobile telecommunications. His work earned him the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1909 and solidified his place in history as a pioneer of radio technology.
1911 – Delhi Replaces Calcutta as the Capital of India
On December 12, 1911, during the Delhi Durbar, King George V announced that the capital of British India would be moved from Calcutta (now Kolkata) to Delhi. This decision was made for several reasons, including the strategic and administrative advantages offered by Delhi’s central location on the Indian subcontinent.
The move was also intended to quell growing nationalist sentiments in Bengal, where Calcutta was located. The construction of New Delhi, a planned city designed by British architects Sir Edwin Lutyens and Sir Herbert Baker, began shortly after the announcement. New Delhi was officially inaugurated as the capital in 1931 and has since remained the political and administrative center of India.
1915 – Yuan Shikai Declares Himself Emperor of China

On December 12, 1915, Yuan Shikai, the President of the Republic of China, announced his intention to reinstate the monarchy and declare himself Emperor of China.
This move, which was part of his ambition to consolidate power and establish a new dynasty, was met with widespread opposition and marked the beginning of a significant political crisis.
Yuan’s decision alienated many of his supporters and provoked resistance from both republicans and regional warlords. The short-lived attempt to restore the monarchy ended with Yuan’s death in 1916, leading to a period of political fragmentation and the eventual rise of the warlord era in China.
Yuan Shikai’s failed bid for emperorship is often seen as a critical moment in the early Republican period of Chinese history.
1935 – Lebensborn Project Founded by Heinrich Himmler
On December 12, 1935, Heinrich Himmler, head of the SS, founded the Lebensborn Project in Nazi Germany. The Lebensborn Project was a state-supported program aimed at increasing the Aryan population through selective breeding and the promotion of births among racially “pure” and “healthy” German women.
The program included maternity homes where women could give birth anonymously and receive support. Lebensborn children were often born out of wedlock and sometimes adopted by SS families. The project also involved the abduction of children from occupied territories who were deemed racially suitable for Germanization.
The Lebensborn Project reflects the Nazi regime’s obsession with racial purity and its inhumane policies, which had devastating consequences for many families across Europe.
1941 – World War II: Japanese Raid Batangas Field, Philippines
On December 12, 1941, during the early days of World War II in the Pacific, Japanese A6M Zero fighters conducted a raid on Batangas Field in the Philippines.
This attack was part of Japan’s larger strategy to quickly neutralize American air power in the region and secure dominance in the Pacific. The raid resulted in significant damage to the airfield and the destruction of several U.S. aircraft.
The attack on Batangas Field was one of many coordinated strikes that crippled the U.S. Far East Air Force, contributing to the swift Japanese advances in the Philippines and other parts of Southeast Asia. The Philippines would eventually fall to Japanese forces in 1942, leading to a brutal occupation that lasted until 1945.
1948 – Malayan Emergency: Batang Kali Massacre
On December 12, 1948, during the Malayan Emergency, British troops killed 24 unarmed villagers in Batang Kali, Malaya. The Malayan Emergency was a conflict between Commonwealth forces and the Malayan National Liberation Army, the military arm of the Malayan Communist Party.
The Batang Kali Massacre occurred during a military operation aimed at rooting out communist insurgents. British soldiers surrounded the village, separated the men from the women and children, and then shot the men, claiming they were insurgents.
The incident was initially covered up, but subsequent investigations revealed the truth, leading to significant controversy and calls for justice from the victims’ families. The massacre remains a dark chapter in British colonial history.
1963 – Kenya Gains Independence from the United Kingdom
On December 12, 1963, Kenya gained independence from the United Kingdom, marking the end of British colonial rule. The struggle for independence, led by figures like Jomo Kenyatta and the Kenya African National Union (KANU), had been long and often violent, including the Mau Mau uprising.
Independence was achieved through a combination of political negotiation and the persistent demands of the Kenyan people for self-governance. Jomo Kenyatta became the first Prime Minister of independent Kenya, and later its first President when the country became a republic in 1964. Kenya’s independence was a significant milestone in the broader decolonization of Africa, inspiring other nations to pursue their own paths to sovereignty.
1979 – Zimbabwe-Rhodesia Returns to British Control
On December 12, 1979, the unrecognized state of Zimbabwe-Rhodesia formally returned to British control, resuming the name Southern Rhodesia. This transition was part of the Lancaster House Agreement, which ended the Rhodesian Bush War—a protracted conflict involving the Rhodesian government and nationalist guerrilla movements.
The agreement led to a ceasefire and set the stage for democratic elections and the establishment of an independent Zimbabwe. During this transitional period, the country was governed by a British-appointed governor, Lord Soames.
The elections held in early 1980 resulted in a victory for Robert Mugabe and his Zimbabwe African National Union (ZANU), leading to the official independence of Zimbabwe on April 18, 1980.
1984 – Maaouiya Ould Sid’Ahmed Taya Becomes President of Mauritania

On December 12, 1984, Maaouiya Ould Sid’Ahmed Taya assumed power in Mauritania following a military coup that ousted then-President Mohamed Khouna Ould Haidalla. Taya’s coup was largely bloodless and was motivated by political and military dissatisfaction with Haidalla’s leadership.
Once in power, Taya focused on consolidating his rule and implementing economic reforms. His presidency was marked by efforts to modernize the country’s infrastructure and economy, but also by allegations of human rights abuses and suppression of political opposition.
Taya maintained power for over two decades until he was himself overthrown in a military coup in 2005 while he was abroad. His long tenure had a significant impact on Mauritania’s political landscape.
1991 – Russian Federation Gains Independence from the USSR
On December 12, 1991, the Russian Federation formally declared its independence from the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR), marking a pivotal moment in the dissolution of the Soviet Union.
This declaration followed a period of intense political and economic turmoil, which included failed coup attempts and growing nationalist movements within the various Soviet republics. Boris Yeltsin, who had been elected President of Russia earlier that year, played a central role in steering the country through the transition.
The independence of the Russian Federation paved the way for the establishment of a new government and economic system, as well as the end of the Cold War era. The dissolution of the Soviet Union was officially completed on December 26, 1991.
2000 – United States Supreme Court Decision in Bush v. Gore
On December 12, 2000, the United States Supreme Court issued its decision in the landmark case Bush v. Gore, effectively resolving the disputed 2000 presidential election. The Court’s 5-4 ruling ended the recount of votes in Florida, which had been marred by controversies over ballot design and counting methods.
The decision awarded Florida’s electoral votes to Republican candidate George W. Bush, giving him a narrow victory over Democratic candidate Al Gore.
The ruling was highly contentious and had a lasting impact on American politics and electoral processes. It highlighted issues related to voting technology, ballot design, and the role of the judiciary in electoral disputes. George W. Bush was subsequently inaugurated as the 43rd President of the United States.
2012 – North Korea Successfully Launches First Satellite
On December 12, 2012, North Korea successfully launched its first satellite, Kwangmyŏngsŏng-3 Unit 2, into orbit using an Unha-3 rocket.
This achievement marked a significant milestone for North Korea’s space and missile programs, demonstrating its capability to launch long-range rockets. The launch was met with international concern and condemnation, as many countries viewed it as a covert test of ballistic missile technology.
Despite North Korea’s claims of peaceful intentions, the event exacerbated tensions on the Korean Peninsula and led to further sanctions from the United Nations. The successful satellite launch underscored North Korea’s determination to advance its technological and military capabilities despite international opposition.
2015 – Paris Agreement Adopted
On December 12, 2015, the Paris Agreement, a landmark international treaty on climate change, was adopted by 196 parties at the 21st Conference of the Parties (COP21) of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). The agreement aimed to limit global warming to well below 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, with efforts to keep it to 1.5 degrees.
It established binding commitments for all participating countries to set and achieve nationally determined contributions (NDCs) to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
The Paris Agreement also emphasized the need for financial and technical support for developing countries to help them mitigate and adapt to climate change impacts. This historic accord represented a collective global effort to address climate change and has since been a cornerstone of international environmental policy.