May 12
May 12 is the 133rd day of the year in the Gregorian calendar; 233 days remain until the year's end. It falls in spring (northern hemisphere) and under the astrological sign of Taurus.
External references
Curated jump-off points to the major almanacs, encyclopaedias and primary sources for this date.
Astronomy
On May 12 the Sun's declination is approximately +18.3°. At this latitude the Sun is north of the celestial equator, giving the Northern Hemisphere longer 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 May 12.
Position in the year
Holidays & observances
- International Nurses Day (Florence Nightingale's birthday)
Events
A selection of widely-documented historical events that took place on this date. Years marked BCE follow standard astronomical convention.
1551 — The National University of San Marcos, the oldest in the Americas, was established in Lima, Peru. ↗(475 years ago)more
The National University of San Marcos is a public research university located in Lima, the capital of Peru. In the Americas, it is the first officially established and the oldest continuously operating university.
1820 — Florence Nightingale, founder of modern nursing, was born. ↗(206 years ago)more
Florence Nightingale was an English social reformer, statistician and the founder of modern nursing. Nightingale came to prominence while serving as a manager and trainer of nurses during the Crimean War, in which she organised care for wounded soldiers at Constantinople. She significantly reduced death rates by improving hygiene and living standards.
1932 — The body of Charles Lindbergh's kidnapped infant son was found in Hopewell, New Jersey. ↗(94 years ago)more
On March 1, 1932, Charles Augustus Lindbergh Jr., the 20-month-old son of Col. Charles Lindbergh and his wife, aviator and author Anne Morrow Lindbergh, was murdered after being abducted from his crib in the upper floor of the Lindberghs' home, Highfields, in East Amwell, New Jersey, United States.
1949 — The Soviet Union ended the Berlin Blockade. ↗(77 years ago)more
The Berlin Blockade was one of the first major international crises of the Cold War. During the multinational occupation of post–World War II Germany, the Soviet Union blocked the Western Allies' railway, road, and canal access to the sectors of Berlin under Western control.
Notable births
- 1820 — Florence Nightingale. ↗(206 years ago)
more
Florence Nightingale was an English social reformer, statistician and the founder of modern nursing. Nightingale came to prominence while serving as a manager and trainer of nurses during the Crimean War, in which she organised care for wounded soldiers at Constantinople. She significantly reduced death rates by improving hygiene and living standards.
1907 — Katharine Hepburn, American actress. ↗(119 years ago)more
Katharine Houghton Hepburn was an American actress whose career as a leading lady on stage and screen spanned six decades. Known for her headstrong independence, spirited personality, and outspokenness, she cultivated a screen persona that matched this public image, and regularly played strong-willed, sophisticated women.
Notable deaths
1684 — Edme Mariotte, French physicist. ↗(342 years ago)more
Edme Mariotte was a French physicist and priest (abbé). He is particularly well known for formulating Boyle's law independently of Robert Boyle. Mariotte is also credited with designing the first Newton's cradle.
Numerical & calendrical curiosities
| Day-of-year (133) | 7 × 19 · composite (no) |
|---|---|
| Days remaining (233) | 233 |
| Date code DDMMYYYY | 12052026 · no palindrome in next 200 years |
| Sun declination | +18.29° (Cooper approximation) |
| Distance from solstice | 39 days |