Box-office #1
The Empire Strikes Back
1980 · dir. Irvin Kershner
Wide US release on May 23, 1980. Goes on to become the highest-grossing film of the year.
Sci-fiStar Wars $538M worldwide
On this day
December 12 Saturday, December 12, 2026
A curious almanac of what happened on December 12 across the years — history, birthdays, the songs that ruled the charts, the films that packed cinemas, and the science that nudged the world forward.
12
Events
7
Birthdays
2
Holidays
1388
European history 638 years ago
Maria of Enghien sells the lordship of Argos and Nauplia to the Republic of Venice.
Maria of Enghien sells the lordship of Argos and Nauplia to the Republic of Venice, strengthening Venetian control in the Peloponnese.
History
What happened on December 12
12 verified entries Full timeline
- 627War
Battle of Nineveh: A Byzantine army under Emperor Heraclius defeats Emperor Khosrau II's Persian forces, commanded by General Rhahzadh.
Emperor Heraclius leads Byzantine forces to a decisive victory over the Persians at Nineveh, turning the tide in the centuries-long Roman-Persian conflict.
- 1388European history
Maria of Enghien sells the lordship of Argos and Nauplia to the Republic of Venice.
Maria of Enghien sells the lordship of Argos and Nauplia to the Republic of Venice, strengthening Venetian control in the Peloponnese.
- 1787US history
Pennsylvania becomes the second state to ratify the US Constitution.
Pennsylvania ratifies the U.S. Constitution, becoming the second state to do so after Delaware.
- 1862War
American Civil War: USS Cairo sinks on the Yazoo River.
The USS Cairo sinks in the Yazoo River after hitting a Confederate mine.
- 1866Disaster
Oaks explosion: The worst mining disaster in England kills 361 miners and rescuers.
An explosion at the Oaks Colliery in England claims the lives of 361 miners and rescue workers.
- 1963UK history
Kenya declares independence from Great Britain.
Kenya gains independence, ending British rule and establishing a new nation.
- 1985Disaster
Arrow Air Flight 1285R, a McDonnell Douglas DC-8, crashes after takeoff in Gander, Newfoundland, killing all 256 people on board, including 236 members of the United States Army's 101st Airborne Division.
A McDonnell Douglas DC-8 crashes after takeoff in Gander, Newfoundland, killing all 256 people on board, including 236 members of the U.S. Army's 101st Airborne Division.
- 2000Politics
The United States Supreme Court releases its decision in Bush v. Gore.
The Supreme Court halts the Florida recount in Bush v. Gore, effectively securing George W. Bush's victory in the presidential election.
- 2012World history
North Korea successfully launches its first satellite, Kwangmyŏngsŏng-3 Unit 2.
North Korea launches its first satellite, Kwangmyŏngsŏng-3 Unit 2, marking a significant advancement in the country's space program.
- 2015World history
The Paris Agreement relating to United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change is adopted.
World leaders adopt the Paris Agreement, aiming to combat climate change through reduced greenhouse gas emissions.
- 2021Sports
Dutch Formula One racing driver Max Verstappen wins the controversial 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, beating seven-time World Champion Lewis Hamilton to become the first Formula One World Champion to come from the Netherlands.
Max Verstappen wins the contentious Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, securing the Formula One world championship for the Netherlands.
- 2024Sports
Indian Grandmaster Gukesh Dommaraju became the undisputed World Chess Champion in a tournament held in Singapore, making him the 18th and the youngest champion in chess history.
Gukesh Dommaraju becomes the youngest World Chess Champion, winning the title in Singapore.
Born today
Famous birthdays on December 12
7 this date All birthdays
Helen Frankenthaler
American painter and academic
Helen Frankenthaler, the American abstract expressionist painter who became a major contributor to postwar American painting and exhibited her work for over six decades, was born today in 1928.
Born
1928
Died
2011
Ted Kennedy
Canadian ice hockey player
1925 – 2009
Sharad Pawar
Indian politician, Indian Minister of Agriculture
b. 1940 · 86
David Abulafia
English historian
1949 – 2026
Rajinikanth
Indian actor
b. 1950 · 76
John Randle
American football player
b. 1967 · 59
Wilson Kipketer
Kenyan-Danish runner
b. 1972 · 54
Music
The number one songs on December 12
Across the years Full chart history
🇬🇧 #1 on December 12, 1981
"Stand and Deliver"
by Adam and the Ants
The dandy highwayman spent five weeks at the top — a brash, glam-pop coronation.
#1 for 5 weeks
Also #1 on this day
- 1965"Ticket To Ride"— The Beatles
- 1972"Metal Guru"— T. Rex
- 2003"Make Luv"— Room 5 ft. Oliver Cheatham
Film & TV
At the movies
Box office #1 and premieres All releases
🏆 Sport December 12, 2021
Dutch Formula One racing driver Max Verstappen wins the controversial 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, beating seven-time World Champion Lewis Hamilton to become the first Formula One World Champion to come from the Netherlands.
Max Verstappen wins the contentious Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, securing the Formula One world championship for the Netherlands.
Read the story
🔬 Science December 12, 1901
Guglielmo Marconi receives the first transatlantic radio signal (the letter "S" [•••] in Morse Code), at Signal Hill in St John's, Newfoundland.
Guglielmo Marconi receives the first transatlantic radio signal, the letter "S" in Morse code, from Signal Hill in St. John's, Newfoundland.
Read the storyToday is also
Holidays & observances
2 celebrated today
Constitution Day (Russia)
International
Constitution Day is a holiday to honour the constitution of a country
Day of Neutrality (Turkmenistan)
International
Neutrality Day of Turkmenistan is the second most important state holiday in Turkmenistan
❝
There are no rules. That is how art is born, how breakthroughs happen. Go against the rules or ignore the rules. That is what invention is about.
— Helen Frankenthaler · born December 12, 1928