January 12
January 12 is the 12th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar; 354 days remain until the year's end. It falls in winter (northern hemisphere) and under the astrological sign of Capricorn.
External references
Curated jump-off points to the major almanacs, encyclopaedias and primary sources for this date.
Astronomy
On January 12 the Sun's declination is approximately -21.7°. At this latitude the Sun is south of the celestial equator, giving the Northern Hemisphere shorter days than nights.
For specific rise/set times at your location, see the U.S. Naval Observatory, or the NASA APOD archive for any imagery published on a January 12.
Position in the year
Holidays & observances
No widely-observed holidays catalogued for this day in our base set. See the external almanacs above for region-specific observances.
Events
A selection of widely-documented historical events that took place on this date. Years marked BCE follow standard astronomical convention.
1773 — The first public museum in the United States, the Charleston Museum, was established. ↗(253 years ago)more
The Charleston Museum is a museum located in the Wraggborough neighborhood in Charleston, South Carolina. Established in 1773, it is the oldest museum in the United States. Its collection includes historic artifacts, natural history, decorative arts and two historic Charleston houses.
1915 — The U.S. House of Representatives rejected a women's suffrage amendment. ↗(111 years ago)more
The Nineteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution prohibits the United States and its states from denying the right to vote to citizens of the United States on the basis of sex, in effect recognizing the right of women to vote.
- 1962 — Operation Chopper, the first U.S. combat mission of the Vietnam War, took place. ↗(64 years ago)
more
Operation Chopper may refer to:Operation Chopper, a British Commando raid in the Second World War Operation Chopper (Vietnam), a United States operation in the Vietnam War
1991 — The U.S. Congress authorised the use of military force to drive Iraq out of Kuwait. ↗(35 years ago)more
The Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Iraq Resolution or Joint Resolution to authorize the use of United States Armed Forces pursuant to United Nations Security Council Resolution 678, was the United States Congress's January 14, 1991, authorization of the use of U.S. military force in the Gulf War.
2010 — A magnitude-7.0 earthquake struck Haiti, killing an estimated 100,000–300,000 people. ↗(16 years ago)more
A catastrophic magnitude 7.0 Mw earthquake struck Haiti at 16:53 local time on Tuesday, 12 January 2010. The epicenter was near the town of Léogâne, Ouest department, approximately 25 kilometres (16 mi) west of Port-au-Prince, Haiti's capital.
Notable births
1729 — Edmund Burke, Anglo-Irish statesman and political philosopher. ↗(297 years ago)more
Edmund Burke was an Anglo-Irish writer, philosopher, and politician who is widely credited as the founder of the cultural and political philosophy of conservatism. Regarded as one of the most influential conservative thinkers and political writers of the 18th century, Burke spent the majority of his career in Great Britain and was elected as a member of P...
1876 — Jack London, American novelist (The Call of the Wild). ↗(150 years ago)more
John Griffith London, better known as Jack London, was an American novelist, journalist and activist. A pioneer of commercial fiction and American magazines, he was one of the first American authors to become an international celebrity and earn a large fortune from writing.
1951 — Kirstie Alley, American actress. ↗(75 years ago)more
Kirstie Louise Alley was an American actress. Her breakthrough role was as Rebecca Howe in the NBC sitcom Cheers (1987–1993), for which she received an Emmy Award and a Golden Globe in 1991. From 1997 to 2000, Alley starred as the lead in the sitcom Veronica's Closet, earning additional Emmy and Golden Globe nominations.
Notable deaths
1976 — Agatha Christie, English mystery writer. ↗(50 years ago)more
Dame Agatha Mary Clarissa Mallowan, Lady Mallowan, usually known by her first married name, Agatha Christie, was an English author known for her 66 detective novels and 14 short-story collections, particularly those revolving around fictional detectives Hercule Poirot and Miss Marple.
Numerical & calendrical curiosities
| Day-of-year (12) | 2^2 × 3 · composite (no) |
|---|---|
| Days remaining (354) | 2 × 3 × 59 |
| Date code DDMMYYYY | 12012026 · no palindrome in next 200 years |
| Sun declination | -21.74° (Cooper approximation) |
| Distance from solstice | 23 days |