Europa
- 1918: Austria Becomes a Republic
On November 12, 1918, just one day after Emperor Charles I abdicated, the National Assembly of Austria unanimously declared that “German Austria is a democratic republic” and that it was a component part of the German republic. This marked the official end of the Habsburg monarchy and the beginning of republican government in Austria. - On the same day, Karl Renner became the first chancellor of the new Austrian republic.
The dissolution of Austria-Hungary triggered significant political upheaval across Central Europe, including further abdications among German royalty and unrest in regions like Bavaria and Anhalt. - 1912: Assassination of Spanish Prime Minister
Spanish Prime Minister José Canalejas was assassinated by the anarchist Manuel Pardiñas in Madrid. Canalejas was a reformist leader, and his death had a significant impact on Spanish politics. - 1920: Treaty of Rapallo
Italy and the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats, and Slovenes (later Yugoslavia) signed the Treaty of Rapallo, which settled territorial disputes following World War I. - 1933: Nazi Germany Referendum
Nazi Germany held a referendum to ratify its withdrawal from the League of Nations, further isolating itself from the international community. - 1938: Anti-Jewish Decree in Nazi Germany
The Nazi regime issued the “Decree on the Elimination of Jews from Economic Life,” which prohibited Jews from selling goods and services or working in trades, effectively segregating them from the German economy. - 1859: The first flying trapeze act was performed in Paris by Jules Léotard, who also popularized the one-piece garment known as the “leotard”.
- 1439: Plymouth became the first town in England incorporated by Parliament.
- 1614: The Treaty of Xanten ended the Guliks-Kleefse War, affecting territories in what is now Germany and the Netherlands.
America
- 1954: Closure of Ellis Island
Ellis Island, the gateway for over 12 million immigrants to the United States, officially closed as an immigration station and detention center on November 12, 1954. This marked the end of an era in American immigration history, as the facility had operated from 1892 to 1954. - 1936: Opening of the San Francisco–Oakland Bay Bridge
The San Francisco–Oakland Bay Bridge, a major infrastructure project connecting San Francisco and Oakland, California, opened to traffic. President Franklin D. Roosevelt remotely triggered the opening from Washington, D.C.. - 1927: Opening of the Holland Tunnel
The Holland Tunnel, connecting New York City and New Jersey beneath the Hudson River, opened to vehicular traffic. It was the first underwater tunnel built for automobiles in the United States. - 1981: Space Shuttle Columbia’s Second Launch (STS-2)
NASA launched STS-2, the second mission of the Space Shuttle Columbia. This was the first time a manned spacecraft was reused for flight, marking a milestone in space exploration. - 2001: American Airlines Flight 587 Crash
American Airlines Flight 587 crashed in the Queens borough of New York City shortly after takeoff from JFK International Airport, killing all 260 people on board and five on the ground. - 1970: The “Exploding Whale” Incident in Oregon
The Oregon Highway Division attempted to dispose of a beached sperm whale carcass using explosives, resulting in the infamous “exploding whale” incident. - 1977: New Orleans Elects First Black Mayor
Ernest “Dutch” Morial was elected as the first Black mayor of New Orleans, marking a significant milestone in American political history. - 1979: U.S. Halts Oil Imports from Iran
In response to the Iran hostage crisis, President Jimmy Carter ordered a halt to all petroleum imports from Iran. - 1866: Sun Yat-sen, the first provisional president of the Republic of China, was born. While not an American event, his legacy influenced Chinese-American relations.
- 1998: Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley filed a major lawsuit against the firearms industry, a significant moment in the debate over gun control in the U.S..
Asia
- 1866: Birth of Sun Yat-sen
Sun Yat-sen, a revolutionary leader and the first provisional president of the Republic of China, was born on November 12, 1866. He played a pivotal role in overthrowing the Qing dynasty and is often called the “Father of Modern China”. - 1893: Treaty of the Durand Line
The Durand Line agreement was signed between British India and Afghanistan, establishing the modern border between the two countries. This border remains a source of tension between Afghanistan and Pakistan today. - 1948: Tokyo War Crimes Tribunal Begins
On November 12, 1948, the International Military Tribunal for the Far East, known as the Tokyo War Crimes Trials, began sentencing Japanese leaders for crimes committed during World War II. Former Japanese Prime Minister Hideki Tojo and six others were sentenced to death. - 1970: Bhola Cyclone Strikes East Pakistan (Now Bangladesh)
The devastating Bhola Cyclone hit East Pakistan (now Bangladesh) on November 12, 1970, resulting in one of the deadliest natural disasters in recorded history, with hundreds of thousands of fatalities. - 1990: Akihito Enthroned as Emperor of Japan
Crown Prince Akihito was formally enthroned as Emperor Akihito, becoming the 125th monarch of Japan, succeeding his father, Emperor Hirohito. - 1991: Dili Massacre in East Timor
Indonesian soldiers killed about 250 pro-independence protesters at the Santa Cruz cemetery in Dili, East Timor, in what became known as the Dili massacre. - 2001: Taliban Abandon Kabul
During the War in Afghanistan, Taliban forces abandoned Kabul ahead of the advancing Afghan Northern Alliance troops, marking a turning point in the conflict.
Africa
- 1990: Coup in Lesotho
On November 12, 1990, Major General Justin Metsing Lekhanya led a coup against King Moshoeshoe II and took control of the government in Lesotho. However, Lekhanya himself was deposed a few months later in another military coup, reflecting the political instability in the country during this period. - 1942: Capture of Tobruk in North Africa
During World War II, the British Eighth Army, commanded by General Bernard Montgomery, captured the strategic city of Tobruk from Axis forces on November 12, 1942. This victory was a significant turning point in the North African campaign. - Comoros: Maore Day
November 12 is observed as Maore Day in Comoros. This day commemorates the ongoing struggle of the Comorian people regarding the island of Mayotte (Maore), which remains under French administration. The day is marked by calls for unity and remembrance of their fight against colonial rule. - 1974: South Africa Suspended from the United Nations
On November 12, 1974, the United Nations General Assembly suspended South Africa from participating in its work due to the country’s apartheid policies. This was a major step in the international campaign against apartheid. - 1985: Failed Coup in Liberia
Over 600 people were killed in Liberia during an unsuccessful military coup against President Samuel Doe, led by former Brigadier-General Thomas Quiwonkpa. - 2020: Death of Jerry Rawlings
Jerry Rawlings, the first President of Ghana’s Fourth Republic and a significant figure in Ghanaian and African politics, died on November 12, 2020.
This day in history: 12 november