This day in history: 12 may

Berlin Blockade Lifted (1949)
On May 12, 1949, the Soviet Union lifted its blockade of Berlin, ending one of the first major crises of the Cold War. The blockade, which began in June 1948, had cut off all ground access to West Berlin in an attempt to force the Allies out of the city. In response, the Western Allies organized the Berlin Airlift, flying in food, coal, and other supplies for nearly a year. The lifting of the blockade marked a significant victory for the Western powers and a pivotal moment in postwar European history.
Birth of Florence Nightingale (1820)
Florence Nightingale, the pioneering British nurse and public health activist, was born on May 12, 1820, in Florence, Italy. Her work during the Crimean War revolutionized hospital sanitation and is credited with laying the foundations for modern nursing, making her a celebrated figure across Europe and the world.

Other Notable European Events on May 12

In 254 AD, Pope Stephen I became the 23rd pope of the Catholic Church, immediately taking a stand against Novatianism.
In 1937, King George VI was crowned at Westminster Abbey, an event of major significance in British history.

American Revolutionary War: Fall of Charleston (1780)

On May 12, 1780, Charleston, South Carolina, fell to British forces, resulting in the largest defeat of the Continental Army during the American Revolution.

U.S. Declaration of War on Mexico Approved (1846)

The U.S. Congress approved the declaration of war on Mexico, marking the official start of the Mexican-American War, a pivotal event in North American history.

Donner Party Departs (1846)

The ill-fated Donner Party left Independence, Missouri, beginning a journey to California that would end in tragedy and cannibalism after they became trapped in the Sierra Nevada.

American Civil War Events

1862: Union troops occupied Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
1863: The Battle of Raymond opened up the interior of Mississippi to the Union Army during the Vicksburg Campaign.
1864: The Battle of Spotsylvania Court House saw some of the fiercest hand-to-hand combat of the war.
1865: The Battle of Palmito Ranch, the last major land action of the Civil War, began in Texas.

Other Noteworthy Events

1902: 140,000 miners went on strike in Pennsylvania, leading to improved wages and working conditions.
1926: The first undisputed flight over the North Pole was made by the airship Norge, with American Lincoln Ellsworth among the crew.
1932: The body of Charles Lindbergh Jr., the kidnapped son of aviator Charles Lindbergh, was found in New Jersey.
1933: President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed the Agricultural Adjustment Act and created the Federal Emergency Relief Administration.
1958: The United States and Canada signed the agreement creating NORAD, enhancing North American air defense.

2008 Sichuan Earthquake (China)

On May 12, 2008, a devastating 7.9 magnitude earthquake struck Sichuan province, China, resulting in more than 87,000 people dead or missing and millions left homeless. This remains one of the deadliest natural disasters in modern Chinese history.

1998 Jakarta Riots (Indonesia)

Violent clashes erupted in Jakarta, Indonesia, following the killing of four protesters. The unrest on May 12, 1998, escalated into widespread riots, which played a significant role in the eventual resignation of President Suharto after decades in power.

1994 Nagorno-Karabakh Ceasefire

On May 12, 1994, the ceasefire in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan took effect, formalizing a halt to active hostilities, although the underlying conflict remains unresolved.

Cultural and Festival Events

The Grand Sumo Tournament, one of Japan’s most prestigious sumo events, begins annually in Tokyo around May 12.

Tunisia Becomes a French Protectorate (1881)

On May 12, 1881, Tunisia in North Africa officially became a French protectorate, marking a significant moment in the colonial history of the continent.

Eritrean-Ethiopian War Begins (1998)

On May 12, 1998, a border dispute escalated into the Eritrean-Ethiopian War, one of the major conflicts in the Horn of Africa, leading to years of fighting and significant regional instability.

Axis Surrender in North Africa (1943)

On May 12, 1943, Axis forces (Germany and Italy) surrendered in North Africa during World War II, ending the North African campaign and opening up Allied shipping lanes in the Mediterranean.

Immorality Amendment Act Passed in South Africa (1950)

On May 12, 1950, South Africa passed the Immorality Amendment Act No. 21, further entrenching apartheid-era laws and racial segregation.

This day in history: 12 may