HISTORICAL CHRONOLOGY

On This Day in History

Discover key historical events within the Genesis range (1950–2049) that occurred on this calendar day, and claim their commemorative registry plaques.

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Historical chronology for May 12

May 12

12 historical milestones registered between 1950 and 2049

May 12, 1967 AVAILABLE

The Jimi Hendrix Experience released the critically acclaimed and widely influential debut album Are You Experienced.

Wikipedia: Jimi Hendrix
Jimi Hendrix
May 12, 1968 AVAILABLE

Vietnam War: The 1st Australian Task Force began the defence of Fire Support Base Coral in the largest unit-level action of the war for the Australian Army.

Wikipedia: Vietnam War
Vietnam War
May 12, 1975 AVAILABLE

The Cambodian navy seized the American container ship SS Mayaguez in what they claimed to be Cambodian territorial waters.

Wikipedia: Mayaguez incident
Mayaguez incident
May 12, 1982 AVAILABLE

The Coppergate Helmet (pictured), the best preserved of the six known Anglo-Saxon helmets, was discovered.

Wikipedia: Coppergate Helmet
Coppergate Helmet
May 12, 1982 AVAILABLE

Juan María Fernández y Krohn attempted to assassinate Pope John Paul II with a bayonet in Fátima, Portugal.

Wikipedia: Juan María Fernández y Krohn
May 12, 1998 AVAILABLE

Four students were shot and killed by Indonesian soldiers at Trisakti University in Jakarta, which led to widespread riots and the resignation of President Suharto nine days later.

Wikipedia: Trisakti shootings
Trisakti shootings
May 12, 2008 AVAILABLE

In Postville, Iowa, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement conducted the largest-ever raid of a workplace and arrested nearly 400 immigrants for identity theft and document fraud.

Wikipedia: Postville, Iowa
Postville, Iowa
May 12, 2010 AVAILABLE

On arrival at Tripoli International Airport, Afriqiyah Airways Flight 771 crashed into the ground at a speed of 262 kn (485 km/h; 302 mph) and exploded, killing all but one of the 304 people on board.

Wikipedia: Tripoli International Airport
Tripoli International Airport
May 12, 2015 AVAILABLE

An earthquake in Nepal killed 218 people and injured more than 3,500 others.

Wikipedia: May 2015 Nepal earthquake
May 2015 Nepal earthquake
May 12, 2015 AVAILABLE

A train derailment killed eight people and injured more than 200 others in Philadelphia.

Wikipedia: 2015 Philadelphia train derailment
2015 Philadelphia train derailment
May 12, 2017 AVAILABLE

The WannaCry ransomware attack affected more than 400,000 computers worldwide, including systems used by the National Health Service and Telefónica.

Wikipedia: WannaCry ransomware attack
WannaCry ransomware attack
May 12, 2022 AVAILABLE

The Event Horizon Telescope released the first image of Sagittarius A*.

Wikipedia: Event Horizon Telescope