✦ DateLore

On This Day · The 43rd day of the year

February 12

A look at February 12 through the almanac — historic events, famous birthdays including Abraham Lincoln and Charles Darwin, and the day's notable deaths and observances.

♒ZodiacAquarius ◈BirthstoneAmethyst ❀Birth flowerViolet
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Events

10 notable moments
  1. 2019

    North Macedonia

    The country known as the Republic of Macedonia renames itself the Republic of North Macedonia in accordance with the Prespa agreement, settling a long-standing naming dispute with Greece.

    Country in Southeast Europe
  2. 2004

    San Francisco

    The city of San Francisco begins issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples in response to a directive from Mayor Gavin Newsom.

    City and county in
  3. 1993

    Murder of James Bulger

    Two-year-old James Bulger is abducted from New Strand Shopping Centre by two ten-year-old boys, who later torture and murder him.

    1993 child murder in
  4. 1946

    World War II

    World War II: Operation Deadlight ends after scuttling 121 of 154 captured U-boats.

    1939–1945 global conflict
  5. 1945

    Tornado outbreak of February 12, 1945

    A devastating tornado outbreak in Mississippi and Alabama kills 45 people and injures 427 others.

    1945 tornado outbreak in
  6. 1935

    USS Macon (ZRS-5)

    USS Macon, one of the two largest helium-filled airships ever created, crashes into the Pacific Ocean off the coast of California and sinks.

    United States historic airship
  7. 1909

    SS Penguin

    New Zealand's worst maritime disaster of the 20th century happens when the SS Penguin, an inter-island ferry, sinks and explodes at the entrance to Wellington Harbour.

    19th and 20th-century New
  8. 1832

    Ecuador

    Ecuador annexes the Galápagos Islands.

    Country in South America
  9. 1817

    Argentina

    An Argentine/Chilean patriotic army, after crossing the Andes, defeats Spanish troops at the Battle of Chacabuco.

    Country in South America
  10. 1502

    Isabella I of Castile

    Isabella I issues an edict outlawing Islam in the Crown of Castile, forcing virtually all her Muslim subjects to convert to Christianity.

    Queen of Castile and
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Famous birthday twins

Born on February 12

Abraham Lincoln

b. 1809

American lawyer and statesman, 16th President of the United States

Charles Darwin

b. 1809

English naturalist, geologist, biologist and theorist

Tara Strong

b. 1973

Canadian-American voice actress and singer

AD 41

b. 41

Roman son of Claudius

Angelo Branduardi

b. 1950

Italian singer-songwriter and guitarist

13th Dalai Lama

b. 1876

Spiritual leader of Tibet from 1879 to 1933

Lou Andreas-Salomé

b. 1861

Russian-German psychoanalyst and author

Josh Brolin

b. 1968

American actor

Deaths

  • 2011Peter Alexander (Austrian performer), Austrian singer and actor
  • 1989Thomas Bernhard, Austrian playwright and author
  • 1979Jean Renoir, French actor, director, producer, and screenwriter
  • 1804Immanuel Kant, German anthropologist, philosopher, and academic
  • 1771Adolf Frederick of Sweden, King of Sweden
  • 1763Pierre de Marivaux, French author and playwright

Holidays & observances

  • —Christian feast day: Benedict of Aniane
  • —Christian feast day: Julian the Hospitaller
  • —Christian feast day: Martyrs of Abitinae
  • —Christian feast day: Meletius of Antioch
  • —Christian feast day: February 12 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics)
  • —Georgia Day (Georgia (U.S. state))
  • —Lincoln's Birthday (United States)
  • —Red Hand Day (United Nations)

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