This day in history: 12 june

Europa

• 910 – Battle of Augsburg: The Hungarians decisively defeated the East Frankish army under King Louis the Child. The Hungarians famously used a feigned retreat tactic, a hallmark of nomadic warfare, to secure their victory.
• 1240 – Disputation of Paris: Initiated by King Louis IX of France, this inter-faith debate between a Christian monk and four rabbis marked a notable moment in medieval religious and intellectual history.
• 1381 – Peasants’ Revolt in England: On June 12, rebels assembled at Blackheath, just outside London, as part of the larger uprising against economic hardship and feudal oppression.
• 1418 – Armagnac–Burgundian Civil War: Parisians, in a wave of violence, killed supporters of Bernard VII, Count of Armagnac, as well as prisoners, foreign bankers, and students and faculty of the College of Navarre.
• 1429 – Hundred Years’ War: Joan of Arc led the French army to capture Jargeau from the English, a significant victory in the campaign to lift the siege of Orléans.
• 1550 – Founding of Helsinki: King Gustav I of Sweden established the city of Helsinki, which was then part of Sweden (now the capital of Finland).
• 1667 – Dutch Raid on the Medway: During the Second Anglo-Dutch War, the Dutch fleet under Admiral de Ruyter burned Sheerness, raided the Chatham dockyard, and captured the English royal barge, the Royal Charles. This audacious attack remains one of the most humiliating defeats in British naval history.
• 1994 – European Parliament Elections: On June 9 and 12, the fourth direct elections to the European Parliament were held, marking a key moment in the development of the European Union’s democratic processes.
• 1939 – Anne Frank Receives Her Diary: On her 13th birthday, Anne Frank was given the diary in which she would later record her experiences during the Holocaust.
• 1991 – Boris Yeltsin Elected President of Russia: While Russia is a transcontinental country, this event marked a pivotal moment in European and world history as Yeltsin became the first popularly elected leader of Russia, setting the stage for the dissolution of the Soviet Union.

America

• 1963 – Assassination of Medgar Evers: Civil rights leader Medgar Evers was murdered in front of his home in Jackson, Mississippi, by a Ku Klux Klan member. Evers was instrumental in efforts to end segregation and promote voting rights for African Americans. His assassination led to widespread outrage and helped galvanize support for the Civil Rights Act.
• 1967 – Loving v. Virginia Supreme Court Decision: The U.S. Supreme Court unanimously struck down all state laws banning interracial marriage. This landmark civil rights case made interracial marriage legal across the United States, marking a significant victory for equality.
• 1899 – New Richmond Tornado: The ninth deadliest tornado in U.S. history struck New Richmond, Wisconsin, killing 117 people and injuring around 200.
• 2016 – Pulse Nightclub Shooting: A gunman opened fire at Pulse, an LGBTQ+ nightclub in Orlando, Florida, killing 49 people and injuring over 50. At the time, it was the deadliest mass shooting in U.S. history and the deadliest incident of violence against LGBTQ people in American history.
• 1859 – Discovery of the Comstock Lode: A major silver ore discovery near Virginia City, Nevada, which sparked a silver rush and contributed to the economic development of the American West.
• 1939 – Opening of the Baseball Hall of Fame: The National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum opened in Cooperstown, New York, cementing baseball’s place in American culture.
• 1864 – Battle of Cold Harbor Ends: During the American Civil War, Union General Ulysses S. Grant withdrew his troops from Cold Harbor, Virginia, giving the Confederates a tactical victory.
• 1981 – Release of “Raiders of the Lost Ark”: The first Indiana Jones film premiered in U.S. theaters, becoming a major cultural milestone.

Asia

• 1898 – Philippine Independence: On June 12, 1898, the Philippines declared independence from Spanish colonial rule. This day is now celebrated as the Philippines’ Independence Day, marking a pivotal moment in Asian and world history.
• 1761 – Death of Nana Saheb Peshwa: Balaji Baji Rao (Nana Saheb), a key figure in the development of Pune and a leader during the Third Battle of Panipat, died on this day.
• 1952 – End of Hereditary Monarchy in Jammu & Kashmir: The Jammu & Kashmir Assembly decided to terminate hereditary monarchy, a significant political shift in Indian history.
• 1975 – Indira Gandhi’s Election Voided: The Allahabad High Court declared Prime Minister Indira Gandhi’s election to the Lok Sabha void on grounds of electoral malpractice, leading to a major political crisis.
• 1990 – Launch of INSAT-1D Satellite: India launched the INSAT-1D, a multi-purpose communication and meteorology satellite, enhancing the nation’s space and communication capabilities.
• 1996 – H. D. Deve Gowda Wins Confidence Vote: H. D. Deve Gowda, the 12th Prime Minister of India, won the vote of confidence in the Lok Sabha, solidifying his government’s position.
• 1107 – Birth of Emperor Gaozong of Song: Emperor Gaozong, who would later lead the Southern Song dynasty, was born on this day.
• 2018 – Trump-Kim Summit in Singapore: On June 12, 2018, U.S. President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un held a historic summit in Singapore, marking the first-ever meeting between sitting leaders of the United States and North Korea. The event was a major diplomatic milestone for the Korean Peninsula and global geopolitics.

Africa

• June 12, 1993 – Nigeria’s Annulled Presidential Election:
  On this day, Nigeria held what is widely regarded as its freest and fairest presidential election since independence. Moshood Kashimawo Olawale (MKO) Abiola of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) was poised to win, having carried 19 of the 30 states and the Federal Capital Territory. However, the military regime led by General Ibrahim Babangida annulled the election before official results were announced, citing alleged irregularities. This move triggered widespread protests, civil unrest, and a prolonged struggle for democracy in Nigeria.
• Aftermath and Legacy:
  The annulment ended hopes for a return to civilian rule and led to further military takeovers, most notably by General Sani Abacha, whose regime became synonymous with repression and human rights abuses. MKO Abiola, who declared himself president in 1994, was arrested and died in detention in 1998.
• June 12 as Democracy Day:
  The significance of June 12 grew over the years, especially in southwestern Nigeria, as a symbol of the struggle for democracy, unity, and justice. In 2018, President Muhammadu Buhari officially declared June 12 as Nigeria’s Democracy Day, replacing May 29. The day now serves as a national public holiday, commemorating the ideals of free and fair elections, national unity, and the ongoing quest for good governance in Nigeria.
• The events of June 12, 1993, are seen not only as pivotal for Nigeria but also as emblematic of the broader African struggle against military rule, for democratic governance, and for the protection of civil rights. The day stands as a reminder of the dangers of military intervention in politics, the importance of credible elections, and the resilience of pro-democracy movements.