January 12: What Happened on This Day in History
January 12th marks the 12th day of the Gregorian calendar year. There are 353 days (354 in case of leap years) remaining until the end of the year.
Discover what happened on January 12th in history, famous birthdays on January 12th, celebrities died on this day, the day of the week and the zodiac sign associated to January 12.
What happened on January 12?
Here's what happened on January 12th in history:
- 2020: On January 12, 2020, the Taal Volcano in the Philippines erupted catastrophically, resulting in 39 fatalities and significant regional destruction. The volcanic event triggered massive evacuations and widespread environmental damage in the surrounding areas.
- 2011: A brutal attack occurred in three central Nigerian villages, where armed assailants wielding machetes and rifles killed 19 people, highlighting ongoing regional violence and security challenges.
- 2010: Google announced it would cease operations in China due to its unwillingness to continue censoring search results, marking a significant stand for internet freedom and corporate principles against government restrictions.
- 2007: Alice Coltrane, a pioneering American jazz musician and pianist known for her innovative spiritual jazz compositions, passed away. Born in 1937, she was a significant figure in the avant-garde jazz movement and wife of legendary saxophonist John Coltrane.
- 2001: Vladimir Semichastny, a prominent Soviet intelligence officer who served as the head of the KGB during the 1960s, passed away. Born in 1924, he was a significant figure in the Soviet intelligence apparatus during the Cold War era.
- 1999: In a remarkable display of sports memorabilia value, Mark McGwire's historic 70th home run ball from the 1998 season was sold at auction for $3 million to an anonymous buyer, setting a record for baseball collectible pricing.
- 1998: On January 12, 1998, a significant environmental disaster occurred when 6.4 million liters of oil spilled from a ruptured pipeline connected to one of Mobil's terminals in Nigeria. This event represents one of the largest oil spills in the country's history, causing substantial ecological damage and potential long-term environmental consequences.
- 1996: Russian troops arrived in Bosnia as part of a multinational peacekeeping operation, marking a significant collaborative effort between Russia and the United States in the aftermath of the Bosnian War. This joint mission aimed to maintain peace and stability in the region following the Dayton Peace Agreement.
- 1993: Popular MTV host Martha Quinn marries her longtime boyfriend Jordan Tarlow in a personal milestone.
- 1973: The first direct cooperative agreement between the Soviet Union and a major American capitalist corporation, marking a significant moment of economic diplomacy during the Cold War era. This landmark pact represented a rare instance of business collaboration across ideological boundaries.
What famous birthdays are on January 12?
On January 12th there are the following famous birthdays:
![Jeff Bezos]()
![Haruki Murakami]()
Haruki Murakami (1949)Internationally acclaimed Japanese novelist known for surreal and imaginative works like 'Norwegian Wood' and 'Kafka on the Shore'.
![Rush Limbaugh]()
Rush Limbaugh (1951)Rush Limbaugh was a highly influential conservative radio host who dominated political talk radio for decades.
![Rob Zombie]()
Rob Zombie (1965)Rob Zombie is a multi-talented artist known for his influential metal band White Zombie and successful career as a film director, creating...
![John Lasseter]()
John Lasseter (1957)John Lasseter is a pioneering animator and filmmaker who co-founded Pixar Animation Studios and played a crucial role in revolutionizing...
![Naya Rivera]()
Naya Rivera (1987)Prominent actress known for her role in Glee, who tragically drowned while saving her son during a boating accident in 2020.
![Luise Rainer]()
Luise Rainer (1910)Austrian-born actress who won two consecutive Academy Awards in the 1930s, becoming the first performer to achieve this feat.
![Oliver Platt]()
Oliver Platt (1960)Canadian-American actor known for comedic and character roles in numerous films and television series.
![Shirley Eaton]()
Shirley Eaton (1937)Famous English actress best known for her iconic golden-painted body scene in the James Bond film 'Goldfinger'.
![Olivier Martinez]()
Olivier Martinez (1966)Olivier Martinez is a renowned French actor known for his charismatic roles and 'French lover' persona.
How to check someone's birthday?
If you’re looking for a person's birth date, have a look at our Birthday Search Guide
Who died on January 12?
On January 12th the following celebrities died:
![Maurice Gibb]()
Maurice Gibb (2003)Maurice Gibb was a British-American musician and founding member of the Bee Gees, a highly successful pop group that wrote over 1,000 songs...
![Amrish Puri]()
Amrish Puri (2005)Legendary Indian actor known for his powerful character roles in Bollywood cinema, particularly memorable as a villain in numerous iconic...
![Norman Kerry]()
![Betty Lou Gerson]()
- Agatha Christie (1976)
Agatha Christie was a British crime novelist, short story writer, and playwright, known for her 66 detective novels and 14 short story...
- William Peter Blatty (2017)
Acclaimed American author and screenwriter best known for 'The Exorcist', a groundbreaking novel and film that won an Oscar for Best...
- Ronnie Spector (2022)
Iconic lead singer of The Ronettes, known for her distinctive voice and pioneering role in 1960s pop and rock music.
- Lisa Marie Presley (2023)
Lisa Marie Presley was an American singer-songwriter and the only child of Elvis Presley, known for her music career and her high-profile...
- Maximilian I (1519)
Maximilian I was a Holy Roman Emperor who played a key role in European politics during the late 15th and early 16th centuries.
What day of the year is January 12?
January 12th marks the 12th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar.
There are 353 days remaining until the end of the year (or 354 days in case of leap years).
January 12th is the 12th day of the month of January.
What zodiac sign is associated with the day January 12?
The zodiac sign associated with January 12th is Capricorn according to the Western Zodiac.
