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35 fun facts for April, 12

Discover dozens of fun facts for this special day. Read the summary for a quick recap on what happened.
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Summary
April 12 is a day rich with history, innovation, and celebration. Highlights include Yuri Gagarin's groundbreaking venture as the first human in space, the launch of the first Space Shuttle, the beginning of the American Civil War, and a variety of cultural milestones such as the premiere of "The Deer Hunter" and the birth of notable figures like Andy Serkis and James Gosling.
35 Fun facts
  1. On April 12, 1961, Soviet cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin became the first human to travel into space, orbiting the Earth onboard the Vostok 1 spacecraft. This historic flight marked a significant milestone in the space race between the United States and the Soviet Union.
  2. On April 12, 1981, NASA launched its first Space Shuttle, Columbia. This marked the beginning of the Space Shuttle program, which carried out numerous scientific research missions and contributed to the construction of the International Space Station.
  3. In 1861, on April 12th, the American Civil War started with the Battle of Fort Sumter in Charleston, South Carolina. Confederate forces attacked the Union-held fort, beginning a four-year conflict that would ultimately determine the fate of slavery in the United States.
  4. On April 12, 1934, the Mount Washington Observatory in New Hampshire recorded a wind gust of 231 miles per hour, the highest surface wind speed ever observed by humans. This record stood for nearly six decades until it was broken in 1996 by a typhoon in Australia.
  5. On April 12, 1945, President Franklin D. Roosevelt passed away in office, leading to the swearing-in of Harry S. Truman as the 33rd President of the United States. Truman would go on to make the decision to drop the atomic bomb on Japan, ending World War II.
  6. On April 12, 1955, Dr. Jonas Salk's polio vaccine was declared safe and effective in protecting against poliomyelitis, a debilitating disease that primarily affected children. This breakthrough would lead to near-total eradication of polio worldwide.
  7. April 12 is celebrated as National Grilled Cheese Sandwich Day in the United States. Grilled cheese sandwiches are a popular comfort food that originated in the 1920s and continue to be a beloved staple in many households.
  8. On April 12, 1892, the first voting machines were approved for use in elections by the United States Congress. These machines were designed to simplify and speed up the process of counting votes while reducing the likelihood of fraud or human error in elections.
  9. On April 12, 1911, the first non-stop London to Paris flight was completed by French aviator Pierre Prier in just under four hours. This successful flight garnered much attention and paved the way for the future of commercial air travel.
  10. On April 12, 1927, the British Parliament passed the Matrimonial Causes Act, which allowed divorce for either spouse on the grounds of adultery. This change in the law marked an important shift in attitudes towards marriage and divorce in the 20th century.
  11. On April 12, 1937, the first Foreign Correspondents' Club opened in Shanghai, China. These clubs were established to provide a social and professional meeting place for foreign journalists and other expatriates working in the media industry.
  12. On April 12, 1959, the first programmed computer-generated music was played on British radio. This technological innovation marked an early milestone in the development of modern electronic music.
  13. In 1979, April 12th saw the premiere of "The Deer Hunter" in the UK, a film directed by Michael Cimino, starring Robert De Niro, Christopher Walken, and Meryl Streep. The film would go on to win five Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Director.
  14. On April 12, 1988, Harvard University won a patent for an "oncomouse," a genetically modified laboratory mouse used for cancer research. This marked the first time a patent was granted for a living animal in the United States, sparking controversies over genetic engineering and animal rights.
  15. The Hubble Space Telescope was launched into Earth's orbit by NASA on April 12, 1990. The Hubble has since provided stunning images of space and has contributed significantly to our understanding of the universe.
  16. Belize celebrates National Day of the Child on April 12 each year. This day is dedicated to the well-being of children and includes various activities and events to promote children's rights, education, and development.
  17. On April 12, 1955, the Broadway play "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof" by Tennessee Williams opened at the Morosco Theatre in New York City. The play, which explores themes of death, desire, and deception, would later be adapted into a successful film starring Elizabeth Taylor and Paul Newman.
  18. Canadian aviation history was made on April 12, 1946, when the first airline to be entirely Canadian-owned and operated, Canadian Pacific Air Lines (later known as CP Air), was established.
  19. On April 12, 1963, Bob Dylan performed his iconic song "Blowin' in the Wind" for the first time at Gerde's Folk City in New York. The song went on to become an anthem of the civil rights movement and a defining track in Dylan's career.
  20. The Rolling Stones played their very first gig at the Marquee Club in London on April 12, 1962. This performance marked the beginning of the legendary rock band's storied career.
  21. On April 12, 1980, Terry Fox began his Marathon of Hope in St. John's, Newfoundland, Canada. Fox, a young cancer survivor, set out to run across Canada to raise funds and awareness for cancer research but tragically had to halt his marathon when his cancer returned.
  22. April 12 is the International Day of Human Space Flight, which celebrates the anniversary of Yuri Gagarin's historic journey into space. This day promotes the exploration of space for the betterment of humanity and aims to inspire future generations of space travelers.
  23. On April 12, 1999, US President Bill Clinton was cited for contempt of court in the case involving Monica Lewinsky, marking the first time a sitting President was found in contempt. Clinton was later fined, and his law license was suspended.
  24. In 1964, Sidney Poitier became the first black actor to win an Academy Award for Best Actor on April 12. He won the award for his performance in "Lilies of the Field," a film about an itinerant worker who helps a group of nuns build a chapel.
  25. On April 12, 1990, the iconic American sitcom "In Living Color" premiered on Fox. The show, created by Keenen Ivory Wayans, broke new ground with its diverse cast and edgy humor, launching the careers of Jim Carrey, Jamie Foxx, and other notable stars.
  26. April 12 of 1877 saw the opening of the first "catch-as-catch-can" wrestling championship in New York City. This form of wrestling, which allowed all holds and was considered more aggressive than the traditional Greco-Roman style, would later evolve into modern freestyle wrestling.
  27. On April 12, 1966, the first television broadcast from a spacecraft occurred when the United States launched the Gemini 1 repair mission. This milestone showed the potential for live communication between astronauts and Earth during space missions.
  28. On April 12, 1811, the waltz was introduced to English ballrooms at the Prince Regent's Ball in London. Originally considered scandalous due to its close partner contact, the waltz became a popular dance in European high society.
  29. Desperate Housewives, the American mystery-comedy drama television series, had its finale on April 12, 2009. The show, created by Marc Cherry and starring Teri Hatcher, Felicity Huffman, and Marcia Cross, garnered numerous awards and critical acclaim during its run.
  30. On April 12, 2017, the Cleveland Cavaliers made NBA history by overcoming a 26-point deficit to win against the Indiana Pacers in the playoffs' first round. This marked the largest comeback in a playoff game in NBA history.
  31. April 12 is recognized as National Licorice Day in the United States. This day celebrates the different flavors and types of licorice candy, a popular treat with roots dating back to ancient civilizations.
  32. On April 12, 1633, Galileo Galilei was accused of heresy by the Catholic Church and faced trial for his scientific views. Although Galileo eventually recanted his beliefs to avoid punishment, his work laid the foundation for modern astronomy.
  33. Canadian computer scientist James Gosling, the creator of the Java programming language, was born on April 12, 1955. Java has become widely used in various software applications, including web development, mobile apps, and computing systems.
  34. On April 12, 1962, the RMS Queen Mary, a retired British ocean liner, made its last voyage and was permanently docked in Long Beach, California. Now a hotel and tourist attraction, the Queen Mary remains a symbol of maritime history and elegance.
  35. English actor and comedian Andy Serkis, best known for his performance capture roles such as Gollum in "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy and Caesar in the "Planet of the Apes" films, was born on April 12, 1964. Serkis has received numerous awards and acclaim for his groundbreaking work in this unique acting style.

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