On this day: February 12
1809 – Abraham Lincoln is born
On February 12, 1809, Abraham Lincoln, the 16th President of the United States, was born in a one-room log cabin in Hardin County, Kentucky. Lincoln would go on to lead the country through one of its most tumultuous periods, the Civil War, and is widely regarded as one of the greatest presidents in American history.
1909 – The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) is founded
On this day in 1909, the NAACP was founded in New York City by a group of black and white activists, including W.E.B. Du Bois, Ida B. Wells, and Mary White Ovington. The organization was formed to fight for civil rights for African Americans and to combat racial discrimination.
1994 – Edvard Munch’s painting “The Scream” is stolen
On February 12, 1994, the iconic painting “The Scream” by Norwegian artist Edvard Munch was stolen from the National Gallery in Oslo, Norway. The painting was recovered in May of that year, but the theft remains one of the most high-profile art heists in history.
1804 – The first self-propelled steam locomotive is demonstrated
On this day in 1804, Richard Trevithick, a British engineer, demonstrated the first self-propelled steam locomotive in Wales. The locomotive, known as the “Penydarren locomotive,” was able to haul ten tons of iron and 70 men a distance of 9 miles, marking a significant advancement in transportation technology.
1940 – The first “blackout” of World War II in London
On February 12, 1940, London experienced its first “blackout” of World War II, as a precautionary measure against air raids by German bombers. The blackout required all lights to be extinguished at night to make it more difficult for enemy aircraft to target the city.
1963 – Construction begins on the Berlin Wall
On this day in 1961, construction began on the Berlin Wall, a barrier that divided East and West Berlin during the Cold War. The wall stood for 28 years, until it was finally torn down in 1989, symbolizing the end of the Cold War and the reunification of Germany.
2001 – The space shuttle Discovery launches to deliver the Destiny laboratory module to the International Space Station
On February 12, 2001, the space shuttle Discovery launched from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida on a mission to deliver the Destiny laboratory module to the International Space Station. The module was the primary research facility on the ISS and played a crucial role in scientific experiments conducted in space.
