Historical Events on June 12

  • 1429: During the 100 Years War, the French army – led by Joan of Arc – captures English commander William de la Pole on the 2nd day of the Battle of Jargeau.
  • 1550: King Gustav I of Sweden, founds the city of Helsinki in Finland. At this time, Finland was a territory owned by Sweden.
  • 1653: The Battle of the Gabbard starts during the First Anglo-Dutch War. It will last until the following day.
  • 1775: British General Thomas Gage declares martial law in the Massachusetts. He also orders that Samuel Adams and John Hancock be hanged, if they are captured.
  • 1864: Ulysses S. Grants pulls Union troops from Cold Harbor Virginia and head south. This allows Confederate forces to occupy the Union’s previously held position.
  • 1899: The New Richmond tornado kills almost 120 people and injures over 200.
  • 1939: Shooting on the first horror film to be photographed in Technicolor begins today. The movie is Dr. Cyclops by Paramount Pictures.
  • 1939: The Baseball Hall of Fame opens its door to the public in Cooperstown, New York.
  • 1940: Approximately 13,000 French and British forces surrender to Major General Erwin Rommel at Saint-Valery-en-Caux during World War 2.
  • 1942: A diary is given to Anne Frank for her 13th

Famous Birthdays on June 12

  • American businessman and banker, David Rockefeller is born in 1915.
  • American director Irwin Allen is born in 1916.
  • American Lieutenant and 41st President of the U.S., George H.W. Bush is born in 1924.
  • German-Dutch diarist & Holocaust victim, Anne Frank is born in 1929.
  • American journalist Kent Jones is born in 1964.
  • American actress Paula Marshall is born in 1964.
  • English actress Cathy Tyson is born in 1965.
  • American football player Dallas Clark is born in 1979.
  • Brazilian model and actress, Adriana Lima is born in 1981.
  • American singer-songwriter Dave Melillo is born in 1988.
  • Canadian actor Dakota Morton is born in 1988.
  • American basketball player Jrue Holiday is born in 1990.