February 12 in history — What Happened Today in History
February 12 in history is full of turning points. This page walks you through what happened on February 12 in history, who was born on February 12 and who passed away on February 12, so nothing about this day slips past you.
On this page, February 12 in history is arranged as a timeline of major events in reverse order, with birthdays and deaths in their own sections, plus a short FAQ about February 12 in history at the bottom.
Major Events on February 12 in History 40
- 2026
In the first general election since the July Revolution in Bangladesh, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party, led by Tarique Rahman, wins a landslide victory upon returning to power after almost 19 years. A referendum held alongside was also approved by the majority of voters.
- 2019
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.
- 2016
Pope Francis and Patriarch Kirill sign an Ecumenical Declaration in the first such meeting between leaders of the Catholic and Russian Orthodox Churches since their split in 1054.
- 2009
Colgan Air Flight 3407 crashes into a house in Clarence Center, New York while on approach to Buffalo Niagara International Airport, killing all 49 on board and one on the ground.
- 2004
The city of San Francisco begins issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples in response to a directive from Mayor Gavin Newsom.
- 2002
The trial of Slobodan Milošević, the former President of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, begins at the United Nations International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia in The Hague, Netherlands. He dies four years later before its conclusion.
- 2002
An Iran Airtour Tupolev Tu-154 crashes in the mountains outside Khorramabad, Iran while descending for a landing at Khorramabad Airport, killing 119.
- 2001
NEAR Shoemaker spacecraft touches down in the "saddle" region of 433 Eros, becoming the first spacecraft to land on an asteroid.
- 1999
United States President Bill Clinton is acquitted by the United States Senate in his impeachment trial.
- 1994
Four thieves break into the National Gallery of Norway and steal Edvard Munch's iconic painting The Scream.
- 1993
Two-year-old James Bulger is abducted from New Strand Shopping Centre by two ten-year-old boys, who later torture and murder him.
- 1992
The current Constitution of Mongolia comes into effect.
All entries for February 12（+28）
- 1990
Carmen Lawrence becomes the first female Premier in Australian history when she becomes Premier of Western Australia.
- 1988
Cold War: The 1988 Black Sea bumping incident: The U.S. missile cruiser USS Yorktown (CG-48) is intentionally rammed by the Soviet frigate Bezzavetnyy in the Soviet territorial waters, while Yorktown claims innocent passage.
- 1983
One hundred women protest in Lahore, Pakistan against military dictator Zia-ul-Haq's proposed Law of Evidence. The women were tear-gassed, baton-charged and thrown into lock-up. The women were successful in repealing the law.
- 1974
Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn, winner of the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1970, is exiled from the Soviet Union.
- 1968
Vietnam War: The Phong Nhị and Phong Nhất massacre occurs, allegedly by South Korean troops.
- 1966
Rabbi Morris Adler is fatally shot by a disgruntled congregant at Congregation Shaarey Zedek in Southfield, Michigan, United States.
- 1965
Malcolm X visits Smethwick near Birmingham following the racially-charged 1964 United Kingdom general election.
- 1963
Construction begins on the Gateway Arch in St. Louis, Missouri.
- 1963
Northwest Orient Airlines Flight 705 crashes into the Everglades shortly after takeoff from Miami International Airport, killing all 45 people on board.
- 1961
The Soviet Union launches Venera 1 towards Venus.
- 1947
The largest observed iron meteorite until that time creates an impact crater in Sikhote-Alin, in the Soviet Union.
- 1947
Christian Dior unveils a "New Look", helping Paris regain its position as the capital of the fashion world.
- 1946
World War II: Operation Deadlight ends after scuttling 121 of 154 captured U-boats.
- 1946
African American United States Army veteran Isaac Woodard is severely beaten by a South Carolina police officer to the point where he loses his vision in both eyes. The incident later galvanizes the civil rights movement and partially inspires Orson Welles' film Touch of Evil.
- 1945
A devastating tornado outbreak in Mississippi and Alabama kills 45 people and injures 427 others.
- 1935
USS Macon, one of the two largest helium-filled airships ever created, crashes into the Pacific Ocean off the coast of California and sinks.
- 1921
Bolsheviks launch a revolt in Georgia as a preliminary to the Red Army invasion of Georgia.
- 1919
The Second Regional Congress of Peasants, Workers and Insurgents is held by the Makhnovshchina at Huliaipole.
- 1912
The Xuantong Emperor, the last Emperor of China, abdicates.
- 1909
The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) is founded.
- 1909
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.
- 1894
Café Terminus bombing by Émile Henry during the Ère des attentats (1892–1894). This is considered one of the first acts of modern terrorism.
- 1889
Antonín Dvořák's Jakobín is premiered at the National Theater in Prague.
- 1832
Ecuador annexes the Galápagos Islands.
- 1825
The Creek cede the last of their lands in Georgia to the United States government by the Treaty of Indian Springs, and migrate west.
- 1818
Bernardo O'Higgins formally approves the Chilean Declaration of Independence near Concepción, Chile.
- 1817
An Argentine/Chilean patriotic army, after crossing the Andes, defeats Spanish troops at the Battle of Chacabuco.
- 1771
Gustav III becomes the King of Sweden.
Famous Birthdays on February 12 in History 25
- 2001
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Georgian footballer
- 2000
Kim Ji-min, South Korean actress
- 1994
Kemal Bilmez, Belgian politician
- 1994
Arman Hall, American sprinter
- 1994
Paxton Lynch, American football player
- 1993
Bud Dupree, American football player
- 1993
Rafinha, Brazilian footballer
- 1993
Jennifer Stone, American actress
- 1992
Magda Linette, Polish tennis player
- 1991
Patrick Herrmann, German footballer
- 1991
Kane Richardson, Australian cricketer
- 1990
Katherine Barrell, Canadian actress, director, writer, and producer
All entries for February 12（+13）
- 1990
Robert Griffin III, American football player
- 1989
Josh Harrellson, American basketball player
- 1988
DeMarco Murray, American football player
- 1988
Nicolás Otamendi, Argentine footballer
- 1988
Josh Phegley, American baseball player
- 1988
Mike Posner, American singer-songwriter and producer
- 1987
Jérémy Chardy, French tennis player
- 1987
Gabriela Mărginean, Romanian basketball player
- 1986
Todd Frazier, American baseball player
- 1985
Konstantin Pushkaryov, Kazakhstani ice hockey player
- 1984
Brad Keselowski, American race car driver
- 1984
Andrei Sidorenkov, Estonian footballer
- 1984
Peter Vanderkaay, American swimmer
Notable Deaths on February 12 in History 25
- 2022
Ivan Reitman, Slovak-Canadian actor, director, and producer (born 1946)
- 2020
Christie Blatchford, Canadian newspaper columnist, journalist and broadcaster (born 1951)
- 2020
Geert Hofstede, Dutch social psychologist (born 1928)
- 2019
Gordon Banks, English footballer (born 1937)
- 2019
Lyndon LaRouche, American political activist (born 1922)
- 2019
Pedro Morales, Puerto Rican professional wrestler and commentator (born 1942)
- 2018
Bill Crider, American author (born 1941)
- 2017
Al Jarreau, American singer (born 1940)
- 2017
Anna Marguerite McCann, first female American underwater archaeologist (born 1933)
- 2016
Dominique D'Onofrio, Italian-Belgian footballer and coach (born 1953)
- 2016
Yannis Kalaitzis, Greek cartoonist (born 1945)
- 2016
Yan Su, Chinese general and composer (born 1930)
All entries for February 12（+13）
- 2015
Movita Castaneda, American actress and singer (born 1916)
- 2015
Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat, Malaysian cleric and politician, 12th Menteri Besar of Kelantan (born 1931)
- 2015
Gary Owens, American radio host and voice actor (born 1934)
- 2015
Steve Strange, Welsh singer (born 1959)
- 2014
Sid Caesar, American actor and comedian (born 1922)
- 2014
John Pickstone, English historian and author (born 1944)
- 2013
Sattam bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Saudi Arabian prince (born 1941)
- 2013
Reginald Turnill, English journalist and author (born 1915)
- 2013
Hennadiy Udovenko, Ukrainian politician and diplomat, 2nd Minister of Foreign Affairs for Ukraine (born 1931)
- 2012
Zina Bethune, American actress, dancer, and choreographer (born 1945)
- 2012
Denis Flannery, Australian rugby player and coach (born 1928)
- 2012
David Kelly, Irish actor (born 1929)
- 2012
John Severin, American illustrator (born 1921)
That is the story of February 12 in history. Bookmark this page and come back next year on February 12 to relive these world-changing moments — or take a random trip through time and see what happened on another day in history.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
What happened on February 12 in history?
The biggest event on February 12 in history is: 2026 — In the first general election since the July Revolution in Bangladesh, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party, led by Tarique Rahman, wins a landslide victory upon returning to power after almost 19 years. A referendum held alongside was also approved by the majority of voters.. In total, 40 major events are recorded for this day.
Who was born on February 12?
25 famous people were born on February 12 in history, the best known being 2001 — Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Georgian footballer.
Who died on February 12?
25 notable people died on February 12 in history, including 2022 — Ivan Reitman, Slovak-Canadian actor, director, and producer (born 1946).
Why should I read about February 12 in history?
Exploring February 12 in history helps you grasp the day's place in history in just a few minutes: events, birthdays and deaths in one read — perfect for students, teachers and curious minds.
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