This Day in History

[Gravdigr]

April 12

Today is observed as an International Day of Human Space Flight (Cosmonautics Day in Russia), marking the anniversary of the first human space flight. Tonight is Yuri's Night, named for Yuri Gagarin, the first human being in space.

Also observed today, in the U.S. state of North Carolina, is Halifax Day, commemorating the Halifax Resolves the first official call for independence from Britain by any of the colonies.


Events

1204 – The Crusaders of the Fourth Crusade breach the walls of Constantinople and enter the city, which they completely occupy the following day.

1776 – American Revolution: With the Halifax Resolves, the North Carolina Provincial Congress authorizes its Congressional delegation to vote for independence from Britain.

1831 – Soldiers marching on the Broughton Suspension Bridge in Manchester, England cause it to collapse.

1861 – American Civil War: Battle of Fort Sumter. The war begins with Confederate forces firing on Fort Sumter, in the harbor of Charleston, South Carolina.

1862 – American Civil War: The Andrews Raid (the Great Locomotive Chase) occurs, starting from Big Shanty, Georgia (now Kennesaw).

1917 – World War I: Canadian forces successfully complete the taking of Vimy Ridge from the Germans.

1927 – Rocksprings, Texas was hit by an F5 tornado that destroyed 235 of the 247 buildings in the town and killed 72 townspeople and injured 205; third deadliest tornado in Texas history.

1934 – The strongest surface wind gust in the world at the time of 231 mph, is measured on the summit of Mount Washington, New Hampshire. It has since been surpassed.

1934 – The U.S. Auto-Lite strike begins, culminating in a five-day melee between Ohio National Guard troops and 6,000 strikers and picketers.

1945 – U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt dies in office; Vice President Harry Truman, becomes President upon Roosevelt's death.

1955 – The polio vaccine, developed by Dr. Jonas Salk, is declared safe and effective.

1961 – The Soviet cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin becomes the first human to travel into outer space and perform the first manned orbital flight, Vostok 1.

1966 - Jan Berry (Jan and Dean) was almost killed when he crashed his car into a parked truck a short distance from Dead Man's Curve in Los Angeles. Berry was partially paralysed and suffered brain damage. Berry was able to walk again after extensive therapy.

1970 – Soviet submarine K-8, carrying four nuclear torpedoes, sinks in the Bay of Biscay four days after a fire on board.

1975 - During an interview with Playboy Magazine David Bowie announced his second career retirement, saying, "I've rocked my roll. It's a boring dead end, there will be no more rock 'n' roll records from me. The last thing I want to be is some useless fucking rock singer."

1981 – The first launch of a Space Shuttle (Columbia) takes place: The STS-1 mission.

1990 - The Astronomical Union's Minor Planet Center announced that Asteroids 4147-4150, would be named Lennon, McCartney, Harrison and Starr after the four members of The Beatles.

1995 - Two weeks after her death, George W. Bush, (then the governor of Texas), declared "Selena Day" in Texas.

1999 – United States President Bill Clinton is cited for contempt of court for giving "intentionally false statements" in a civil lawsuit; he is later fined and disbarred.

Births

1777 – Henry Clay, 1898 – Lily Pons♪ ♫, 1912 – Hound Dog Taylor♪ ♫, 1923 – Ann Miller, 1932 – Tiny Tim, 1936 – Charles Napier, 1944 – John Kay♪ ♫(Steppenwolf), 1946 – Ed O'Neill, 1947 – Tom Clancy, 1947 – Dan Lauria, 1947 – David Letterman, 1949 – Scott Turow, 1950 – David Cassidy♪ ♫, 1951 – Tom Noonan ('The Ripper' in Last Action Hero, the preacher in Hell On Wheels), 1954 – Pat Travers♪ ♫("Snortin' Whiskey, Drinkin' Cocaine", Boom! Boom! Out Go The Lights"), 1956 – Andy Garcia, 1957 – Vince Gill♪ ♫, 1958 – Will Sergeant♪ ♫(Echo & The Bunnymen), 1971 – Shannen Doherty, 1979 – Claire Danes, 1979 – Jennifer Morrison (House), 1987 – Brooklyn Decker

Deaths

238 – Gordian I, 238 – Gordian II, 1817 – Charles Messier, 1878 – William M. 'Boss' Tweed, 1912 – Clara Barton (founded the American Red Cross), 1945 – Franklin D. Roosevelt, 1966 – Sydney Allard(founded Allard car company), 1981 – Joe Louis, 1989 – Abbie Hoffman (co-founded Youth International Party), 1989 – Sugar Ray Robinson, 1999 – Boxcar Willie♪ ♫, 2001 – Harvey Ball (created the smiley face), 2016 – Anne Jackson (actress, wife of Eli Wallach)