December 12 in History

32 events 627 – 2024

December 12 spans 32 recorded events across recorded history — from 627 – 2024. Below is a curated digest of the most significant moments tied to this date.

By · Wikipedia

The Paris Agreement relating to United Nations Framework Convention on Climate C

2015 — The Paris Agreement relating to United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change is adopted

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The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change was signed in 1992 by 154 states at the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development in Rio de Janeiro.

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The treaty entered into force on 21 March 1994 and established the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities among countries.

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The UNFCCC Secretariat is charged with supporting the operation of the convention and is located on the UN Campus in Bonn, Germany.

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Developed countries are expected to assume a leading role in addressing climate change due to their greater historical greenhouse gas emissions.

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The main goal of the UNFCCC is to limit the increase in greenhouse gases in the atmosphere and prevent dangerous human interference with the climate system.


Battle of Nineveh: A Byzantine army under Emperor Heraclius defeats Emperor Khosrau II's Persian forces, commanded by General Rhahzadh.
Battle during the Byzantine–Sasanian War of 602–628
The Battle of Nineveh was the climactic battle of the Byzantine–Sasanian War of 602–628.
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627
Maria of Enghien sells the lordship of Argos and Nauplia to the Republic of Venice.
14th-century Greek noblewoman
Maria of Enghien, also known as Marie of Enghien or d'Enghien, was the Lady of Argos and Nauplia in Frankish Greece from 1376 or 1377 to 1388. She inherited the estate from her father, Guy of Enghien, when she was a minor. Her paternal uncle, Louis of Enghien, served as her regent. Louis gave Maria in marriage to a Venetian patrician, Pietro Cornaro, in 1377. Maria moved to Venice, but she was involved in the administration of her lordship. After her husband died, she sold the lordship to the Republic of Venice for a regular income in 1388.
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1388
Pennsylvania becomes the second state to ratify the US Constitution.
U.S. state
Pennsylvania, officially the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, is a U.S. state located in the Mid-Atlantic, Northeastern, Appalachian, and Great Lakes regions of the United States. It borders Delaware to its southeast, Maryland to its south, forming the Mason-Dixon Line, West Virginia to its southwest, Ohio to its west, the Canadian province of Ontario to its northwest via Lake Erie, New York to its north, and the Delaware River and New Jersey to its east. Pennsylvania's most populous city is Philadelphia, and the state capital is Harrisburg. Pennsylvania is the fifth-most populous state in the country, with over 13 million residents as of the 2020 United States census. Pennsylvania has the ninth-highest by population density, and is the 33rd-largest by land area. The largest metropolitan statistical area is the Philadelphia metropolitan area in southeastern Pennsylvania, also known as the Delaware Valley and centered on Philadelphia, the sixth-most populous U.S. city. Pennsylvania's second-largest metropolitan area, Greater Pittsburgh, is centered in and around Pittsburgh, the commonwealth's second-largest city.
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1787
American Civil War: USS Cairo sinks on the Yazoo River.
1861–1865 conflict in the United States
The American Civil War was a civil war in the United States between the Union and the Confederacy, which was formed in 1861 by states that had seceded from the Union to preserve slavery in the United States, which they saw as threatened because of the election of Abraham Lincoln and the growing abolitionist movement in the North. The war lasted a little over four years, ending with Union victory, the dissolution of the Confederacy and the abolition of slavery, freeing four million African Americans.
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1862
Oaks explosion: The worst mining disaster in England kills 361 miners and rescuers.
1866 British mining disaster
The Oaks explosion, which happened at a coal mine in South Yorkshire on 12 December 1866, remains the worst mining disaster in England. A series of explosions caused by firedamp ripped through the underground workings at the Oaks Colliery at Hoyle Mill near Stairfoot in Barnsley killing 361 miners and rescuers. It was the worst mining disaster in the United Kingdom until the 1913 Senghenydd explosion in Wales.
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1866
Joseph H.
Rainey of South Carolina becomes the second black U.S. congressman.
Joseph Hayne Rainey was an American politician. He was the first black person to serve in the United States House of Representatives and the second black person to serve in the United States Congress. His service included time as presiding officer of the House of Representatives.
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1870
Guglielmo Marconi receives the first transatlantic radio signal (the letter "S" [•••] in Morse Code), at Signal Hill in St John's, Newfoundland.
Italian radio-frequency engineer and inventor (1874–1937)
Guglielmo Giovanni Maria Marconi, 1st Marquess, was an Italian radio-frequency engineer, inventor, and politician known for his creation of a practical radio wave-based wireless telegraph system. This led to his being largely credited as the inventor of radio and sharing the 1909 Nobel Prize in Physics with Ferdinand Braun "in recognition of their contributions to the development of wireless telegraphy." His work laid the foundation for the development of radio, television, and all modern wireless communication systems.
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1901
Yuan Shikai declares the establishment of the Empire of China and proclaims himself Emperor.
First president of the Republic of China (1859–1916)
Yuan Shikai was a Chinese general and statesman. As leader of the Beiyang Army, he played a decisive role in securing the abdication of the Qing court. He served as the second provisional president and the first formal president of the Republic of China, with his administration known as the Beiyang government. He declared himself Emperor of the Chinese Empire in December 1915 and abdicated in March 1916.
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1915
Father Edward J.
Flanagan founds Boys Town as a farm village for wayward boys.
Edward Joseph Flanagan was an Irish-born priest of the Catholic Church in the United States who served for decades in Nebraska. After serving as a parish priest in the Diocese of Omaha, he founded the orphanage and educational complex known as Boys Town, located west of the city in what is now Boys Town, Douglas County, Nebraska. In the 21st century, the complex also serves as a center for troubled youth.
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1917
The Lebensborn Project, a Nazi reproduction program, is founded by Heinrich Himmler.
Nazi Germany eugenics program
Lebensborn e.V. was a secret, SS-initiated, state-registered association in Nazi Germany with the stated goal of increasing the number of children born who met the Nazi standards of "racially pure" and "healthy" Aryans, based on Nazi eugenics. Lebensborn was established by Heinrich Himmler, and provided welfare to its mostly unmarried mothers, encouraged anonymous births by unmarried women at their maternity homes, and mediated adoption of children by likewise "racially pure" and "healthy" parents, particularly SS members and their families. The Cross of Honour of the German Mother was given to the women who bore the most Aryan children.
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1935
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Born on December 12

20 people 1984 – 2001
Michael Olise
Michael Olise
French footballer
Michael Akpovie Olise is a professional footballer who plays as a winger and attacking midfielder for Bundesliga club Bayern Munich. Born in England, he plays for the France national team. Regarded as one of the best…
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2001
Ed Oliver
Ed Oliver
American football player
Edward Oliver is an American professional football defensive tackle for the Buffalo Bills of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Houston Cougars, winning numerous awards, and was…
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1997
Lucas Hedges
Lucas Hedges
American actor
Lucas Hedges is an American actor. A son of filmmaker Peter Hedges, he studied theater at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts. Hedges began his acting career with a supporting role in Wes Anderson's…
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1996
Otto Warmbier
Otto Warmbier
American student imprisoned in North Korea (died 2017)
Otto Frederick Warmbier was an American college student who was imprisoned in North Korea in 2016 on a charge of subversion. In June 2017, he was released by North Korea in a vegetative state and died soon after his…
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1994
Zeli Ismail
Zeli Ismail
English footballer
Zeli Ismail is a professional footballer who plays as a right midfielder for Cymru Premier club Connah's Quay Nomads. Born in Albania, he has represented England at both under-16 and under-17 level.
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1993
Shohjahon Ergashev
Shohjahon Ergashev
Uzbek professional boxer
Shohjahon Ergashev is an Uzbek professional boxer. He challenged for the IBF super-lightweight title in 2023.
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1991
Joseph Leilua
Joseph Leilua
Australian-Samoan rugby league player
Joseph Leilua is a Samoa international rugby league footballer who plays centre for the Wyong Roos in the Central Coast Division Rugby League.
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1991
Nixon Chepseba
Nixon Chepseba
Kenyan runner
Nixon Kiplimo Chepseba is a Kenyan middle-distance runner (1.84m) who specializes in the 1500 metres. He was the 2011 Diamond League series winner of that event and has a personal best of 3:29.90 minutes.
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1990
Dawin
American singer-songwriter
Dawin Polanco, known mononymously as Dawin, is an American singer, songwriter, rapper and record producer from Brooklyn, New York. He is best known for the song "Dessert", which reached number 68 on the Billboard Hot…
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1990
Victor Moses
Victor Moses
Nigerian footballer
Victor Moses is a Nigerian professional footballer who plays as a winger for Kazakhstan Premier League club Kaisar. He has also been deployed as a wing-back at times during his career.
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1990
Tyron Smith
Tyron Smith
American football player
Tyron Jerrar Smith is an American former professional football player who played offensive tackle in the National Football League for 14 seasons. He played college football for the USC Trojans where he won the Morris…
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1990
Isaac John
Isaac John
New Zealand rugby league player
Isaac John is a former professional rugby league footballer who previously played for the Mount Pritchard Mounties in the Intrust Super Premiership. A Cook Islands and New Zealand international representative, he played…
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1988
Lonah Chemtai Salpeter
Lonah Chemtai Salpeter
Israeli Olympic marathon runner
Lonah Korlima Chemtai Salpeter is an Israeli Olympic runner. Born in Kenya, she represents Israel internationally. She won the bronze medal in the marathon at the 2022 World Athletics Championships. At the European…
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1988
Daddy Birori
Rwandan footballer
Daddy Birori, also known as Etekiama Agiti Tady, is a footballer who plays as a forward for AS Vita Club. Born in Zaire, he made 18 appearances for the Rwanda national team scoring five goals.
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1986
Përparim Hetemaj
Përparim Hetemaj
Finnish footballer
Përparim Hetemaj is a Finnish football coach and a former professional footballer who played as a midfielder. Born in Kosovo, Hetemaj arrived in Finland when he was six years old and played for HJK's youth teams;…
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1986
Nina Kolarič
Nina Kolarič
Slovenian long jumper
Nina Kolarič is a Slovenian long jumper. She holds both the indoor and outdoor national records with jumps of 6.67 and 6.78 metres respectively.
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1986
T. J. Ward
T. J. Ward
American football player
Terrell Ray Williams "T. J." Ward Jr. is an American former professional football safety who played for eight seasons in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Oregon Ducks, and was…
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1986
Pat Calathes
Pat Calathes
Greek-American basketball player
Patrick Sean Calathes is a Greek-American former professional basketball player. At a height of 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) tall, he played at both the small forward and power forward positions. He was the 2013 Israeli…
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1985
Andrew Ladd
Andrew Ladd
Canadian ice hockey player
Andrew Joseph Ladd is a Canadian former professional ice hockey winger who played for the Carolina Hurricanes, Chicago Blackhawks, Atlanta Thrashers, Winnipeg Jets, New York Islanders and Arizona Coyotes of the National…
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1985
Daniel Agger
Daniel Agger
Danish footballer
Daniel Munthe Agger is a Danish professional football coach and former player who is the assistant manager of the Danish national football team. As a player, he played as a centre-back for Brøndby and Liverpool and…
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1984
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Died on December 12

20 people 2010 – 2021
Vicente Fernández
Vicente Fernández
Mexican actor, ranchera singer, and film producer (born 1940)
Vicente Fernández Gómez was a Mexican mariachi singer, actor and film producer. Nicknamed "Chente", "El Charro de Huentitán", "El Ídolo de México", and "El Rey de la Música Ranchera", Fernández started his career as a…
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2021
Bernie Fowler
Bernie Fowler
American politician and environmental advocate (born 1924)
Clyde Bernard Fowler was an American politician from Maryland. He was a Calvert County Commissioner from 1970 to 1982, and served in the Maryland Senate between 1983 and 1994. Fowler is best known for his advocacy for…
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2021
Maʻafu Tukuiʻaulahi
Maʻafu Tukuiʻaulahi
Tongan politician and military officer, Deputy Prime Minister (born 1955)
'Siosaʻia Lausiʻi, Lord Maʻafu Tukuiʻaulahi, also known as Lord Maʻafu, was a Tongan politician, military officer, and member of the Tongan nobility.
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2021
John le Carré
John le Carré
English author (born 1931)
David John Moore Cornwell, known by his pen name John le Carré, was an English author. Many of his espionage novels have been adapted for film or television. He has been described as a "sophisticated, morally ambiguous…
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2020
Ann Reinking
Ann Reinking
American actress, dancer, and choreographer (born 1949)
Ann Reinking was an American dancer, actress, choreographer, and singer. As a star of Broadway musicals, her credits include Over Here! (1974), Goodtime Charley (1975), Chicago (1977), Dancin' (1978), and Sweet Charity…
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2020
Danny Aiello
Danny Aiello
American actor (born 1933)
Daniel Louis Aiello Jr. was an American actor. He appeared in numerous motion pictures, including The Godfather Part II (1974), The Front (1976), Once Upon a Time in America (1984), Hide in Plain Sight (1984), The…
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2019
Ed Lee
Ed Lee
American politician and attorney, 43rd Mayor of San Francisco (born 1952)
Edwin Mah Lee was an American politician and attorney who served as the 43rd Mayor of San Francisco from 2011 until his death in 2017.
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2017
Pat DiNizio
Pat DiNizio
American singer and songwriter (born 1955)
Patrick Michael DiNizio was an American musician. He was best known for being the lead singer, songwriter and founding member of the band The Smithereens, which he formed in 1980 with Jim Babjak, Dennis Diken and Mike…
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2017
Shirley Hazzard
Shirley Hazzard
Australian-American novelist, short story writer, and essayist (born 1931)
Shirley Hazzard was an Australian-American novelist, short story writer, and essayist. She was born in Australia and also held U.S. citizenship.
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2016
Frans Geurtsen
Frans Geurtsen
Dutch footballer (born 1942)
Frans Geurtsen was a Dutch footballer, who played at both professional and international levels as a striker.
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2015
Evelyn S. Lieberman
Evelyn S. Lieberman
American politician, White House Deputy Chief of Staff (born 1944)
Evelyn May Lieberman was an American public affairs professional who, during the Clinton administration, became the first woman to serve as White House Deputy Chief of Staff, and was the first United States Under…
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2015
Norman Bridwell
Norman Bridwell
American author and illustrator, created Clifford the Big Red Dog (born 1928)
Norman Ray Bridwell was an American author and cartoonist best known for creating the Clifford the Big Red Dog book series.
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2014
Ivor Grattan-Guinness
Ivor Grattan-Guinness
English mathematician, historian, and academic (born 1941)
Ivor Owen Grattan-Guinness was a historian of mathematics and logic.
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2014
Herb Plews
Herb Plews
American baseball player (born 1928)
Herbert Eugene Plews was an American Major League Baseball second baseman. He played four years in the majors, from 1956 to 1959 with the Washington Senators and in 1959 for the Boston Red Sox. In the minor leagues he…
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2014
Tom Laughlin
Tom Laughlin
American actor, director, screenwriter, author, educator, and activist (born 1931)
Thomas Robert Laughlin Jr. was an American actor, filmmaker, educator, activist, and perennial candidate. He was best known as the star and director of the Billy Jack tetralogy of action drama films, produced between…
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2013
Abdul Quader Molla
Abdul Quader Molla
Bangladeshi journalist and politician (born 1948)
Abdul Quader Mollah was a Bangladeshi Islamist leader, writer, and politician of the Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, who was convicted of war crimes and sentenced to death by the International Crimes Tribunal, Bangladesh…
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2013
Audrey Totter
Audrey Totter
American actress (born 1917)
Audrey Mary Totter was an American radio, film, and television actor and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer contract player in the 1940s.
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2013
Joe Allbritton
American banker, publisher, and philanthropist, founded the Allbritton Communications Company (born 1924)
Joe Lewis Allbritton was an American banker, publisher and philanthropist.
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2012
David Tait
David Tait
English rugby player (born 1987)
David Tait was a professional rugby union player for Sale Sharks in the Guinness Premiership.
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2012
Tom Walkinshaw
Tom Walkinshaw
Scottish race car driver, founded Tom Walkinshaw Racing (born 1946)
Thomas Dobbie Thomson Walkinshaw was a British racing car driver from Scotland and the founder of the racing team Tom Walkinshaw Racing (TWR). He was also involved in professional rugby union, as owner of Gloucester…
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2010
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Related questions

More questions about December 12

What happened on December 12?

A featured event on this date is 2015: The Paris Agreement relating to United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change is adopted. This page also lists 32 events from other years on the same day.

Why is December 12 remembered in history?

December 12 brings together events, births, and deaths across many eras, which makes it useful for seeing how one calendar date connects different historical turning points.

Who was born on December 12?

Notable birthdays on this date include Michael Olise, Ed Oliver, Lucas Hedges.

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Who died on December 12?

Notable deaths on this date include Vicente Fernández, Bernie Fowler, Maʻafu Tukuiʻaulahi.

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Short answer

What happened on December 12 in history?

On December 12, one notable event in history was 2015: The Paris Agreement relating to United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change is adopted..

This date currently highlights 32 recorded events on thisDay.info, spanning 627 – 2024.

DateDecember 12
Featured year2015
LocationHistorical Location
Events listed32

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