April 12: What Happened on This Day in History
April 12th marks the 102nd day of the Gregorian calendar year (or the 103rd in case of leap years). There are 263 days remaining until the end of the year.
Discover what happened on April 12th in history, famous birthdays on April 12th, celebrities died on this day, the day of the week and the zodiac sign associated to April 12.
What happened on April 12?
Here's what happened on April 12th in history:
- 2017: On April 12, 2017, a suicide bomber targeted a police convoy in Kabul, Afghanistan, resulting in multiple casualties. The attack highlighted ongoing security challenges in the region amid rising violence. source: bbc.com
- 2016: On April 12, 2016, art experts Eric Turquin and Nicola Spinosa confirmed that a painting discovered in a private attic near Toulouse, France, is a long-lost second version of Caravaggio's 'Judith Beheading Holofernes.' The painting, estimated to be worth €120 million, was found during roof repairs and is considered a significant art historical find. source: news.artnet.com
- 2015: On April 12, 2015, the Saudi-led coalition continued its airstrikes against Houthi rebels in Yemen, aiming to recapture territory and support the Yemeni government. These operations were part of a broader military intervention that began in March 2015. source: en.wikipedia.org
- 2012: On April 12, 2012, North Korea launched a long-range rocket, claiming it was a satellite launch. The launch was widely condemned by the international community, including the United Nations, which considered it a violation of Security Council resolutions prohibiting North Korea from conducting missile tests. source: en.wikipedia.org
- 2009: On April 12, 2009, Captain Richard Phillips was rescued by U.S. Navy SEALs after being held hostage by Somali pirates for five days. The rescue operation resulted in the death of three pirates and the capture of a fourth. Phillips was unharmed and later transferred to the USS Boxer for medical evaluation. source: washingtonpost.com
- 1997: George Wald, an American biologist and Nobel Prize winner, passed away on April 12, 1997. He was renowned for his work in the field of vision and the biochemistry of the eye, contributing significantly to our understanding of how light affects biological processes. source: britannica.com
- 1992: On April 12, 1992, Euro Disney Resort, now known as Disneyland Paris, officially opened in Marne-la-Vallée, France. The resort included a theme park, hotels, and an entertainment complex, marking Disney's first venture into Europe. source: d23.com
- 1989: Abbie Hoffman, a prominent political activist and co-founder of the Youth International Party, passed away on April 12, 1989. His contributions to social movements and counterculture in the 1960s and 1970s left a lasting impact on American society. source: nytimes.com
- 1976: Anne Rice's debut novel, 'Interview with the Vampire,' was published on April 12, 1976. The novel centers on Louis de Pointe du Lac, a vampire who recounts his life story to a reporter. It was Rice's first novel and the beginning of 'The Vampire Chronicles' series. source: britannica.com
- 1970: On April 12, 1970, the New York Yankees held a ceremony to honor several baseball legends. This event celebrated the contributions of these players to the sport and highlighted the Yankees' rich history in Major League Baseball. source: nytimes.com
What famous birthdays are on April 12?
On April 12th there are the following famous birthdays:
![Bobby Moore]()
Bobby Moore (1941)Bobby Moore was an English professional footballer best known for captaining the England national team to victory in the 1966 FIFA World Cup. Regarded as one of the greatest defenders in the history of football, he had a distinguished club career, notably with West Ham United. [bio]
![Saoirse Ronan]()
Saoirse Ronan (1994)Saoirse Ronan is an acclaimed Irish and American actress known for her powerful performances in both independent films and major Hollywood productions. She has received multiple Academy Award nominations and is recognized for her versatility and maturity as an actress from a young age. [bio]
![Ilana Glazer]()
Ilana Glazer (1987)Ilana Glazer is an American comedian, actress, writer, and producer, best known as the co-creator and star of the Comedy Central series 'Broad City.' [bio]
![Ed O'Neill]()
Ed O'Neill (1946)Ed O'Neill is an American actor and comedian best known for his iconic roles in television sitcoms, particularly as Al Bundy in 'Married... with Children' and Jay Pritchett in 'Modern Family'. [bio]
![Lionel Barrymore]()
Lionel Barrymore (1878)Lionel Barrymore was a renowned American actor of stage, screen, and radio, best known for his powerful performances in classic films such as 'It's a Wonderful Life' and for his Oscar-winning role in 'A Free Soul.' [bio]
![Herbie Hancock]()
Herbie Hancock (1940)Herbie Hancock is an acclaimed American jazz pianist, keyboardist, composer, and bandleader, recognized as one of the most influential musicians in modern jazz. He was a key figure in the development of the post-bop sound, jazz fusion, and electronic jazz, and has had a career spanning over six decades. Hancock is known for both his solo work and as a … [bio]
![Claire Danes]()
Claire Danes (1979)Claire Danes is an American actress known for her television and film work, notably starring in "My So-Called Life" and the acclaimed drama series "Homeland." [bio]
![Jon Krakauer]()
Jon Krakauer (1954)Jon Krakauer is an American writer and mountaineer, best known for his work as a journalist and author of bestsellers focusing on outdoor adventures and real-life accounts of survival, such as 'Into the Wild' and 'Into Thin Air.' [bio]
![Shannen Doherty]()
Shannen Doherty (1971)Shannen Doherty is an American actress, producer, and television director best known for her roles in popular television series such as 'Beverly Hills, 90210' and 'Charmed.' Her career spans television, film, and reality TV, having garnered public attention both for her acting performances and her off-screen life. [bio]
![David Cassidy]()
David Cassidy (1950)David Cassidy was an American singer, actor, and songwriter, best known for his role as Keith Partridge in the 1970s musical-sitcom 'The Partridge Family'. [bio]
How to check someone's birthday?
If you’re looking for a person's birth date, have a look at our Birthday Search Guide
Who died on April 12?
On April 12th the following celebrities died:
![Joe Louis]()
![Sugar Ray Robinson]()
Sugar Ray Robinson (1989)Sugar Ray Robinson was an American professional boxer considered by many to be the greatest pound-for-pound fighter in boxing history. Renowned for his outstanding combination of speed, power, and skill, he became a world champion in both the welterweight and middleweight divisions. His flamboyant lifestyle and charisma made him a significant figure in American culture during the 1940s and 1950s. [bio]
![Josephine Baker]()
Josephine Baker (1975)Josephine Baker was an American-born French entertainer, singer, dancer, and civil rights activist. She became famous in France in the 1920s for her performances, particularly her erotic and comedic dancing. Baker was also known for her work in the French Resistance during World War II and her efforts in the civil rights movement in the United States. [bio]
![Gilbert Gottfried]()
Gilbert Gottfried (2022)Gilbert Gottfried was an American stand-up comedian, actor, and voice actor known for his distinctive loud, grating voice and offbeat sense of humor. He became famous for his stand-up routines, roles in films and television, and extensive voice work in animated features. [bio]
![Marilyn Chambers]()
Marilyn Chambers (2009)Marilyn Chambers was an American pornographic actress and model who became a cultural icon of the 1970s and 1980s adult film industry. She is best known for her role in the 1972 film 'Behind the Green Door,' which marked a turning point in the mainstreaming of adult films. [bio]
![Charlie Murphy]()
Charlie Murphy (2017)Charlie Murphy was an American comedian, actor, and writer, widely recognized for his work on 'Chappelle's Show' and as the older brother of Eddie Murphy. His career spanned stand-up comedy, television, and film, and he was known for his sharp wit and memorable storytelling. [bio]
![Ruth Taylor]()
![Sydney Lassick]()
![Shirley Williams]()
Shirley Williams (2014)Prominent British politician and academic who served as Secretary of State for Education and was a key figure in the Social Democratic Party...
What day of the year is April 12?
April 12th marks the 102nd day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (or the 103rd in case of leap years).
There are 263 days remaining until the end of the year.
April 12th is the 12th day of the month of April.
What day of the week is April 12?
On April 12th, 2026 the day of the week is Sunday.
What zodiac sign is associated with the day April 12?
The zodiac sign associated with April 12th is Aries according to the Western Zodiac.
