This Day In History, May 12th.
Five Historical Events That Happened on May 12th.
Charles Lindbergh, the famed aviation pioneer, set out from Roosevelt Field in Long Island, New York, and flew the Spirit of St. Louis to Paris, France, completing the first solo non-stop transatlantic journey in history.
1937: Following the abdication of his brother, King Edward VIII, the coronation of King George VI took place at Westminster Abbey, London. The occasion was commemorated by a spectacular ceremony attended by dignitaries and members of the royal family.
The Soviet Union withdrew the blockade of Berlin in 1949, bringing an end to a 327-day standoff between the Western countries and the Soviet Union. The embargo was enforced in reaction to the Western powers' intention to establish a separate state within their occupation zone of Germany, which heightened tensions between the two sides.
A huge earthquake measuring 8.0 on the Richter scale rocked the Chinese province of Sichuan in 2008, killing over 87,000 people and injuring over 370,000 more. The earthquake was one of the worst in the country's history, destroying infrastructure and buildings.
In 2018, the United States inaugurated its embassy in Jerusalem, Israel, amidst controversy and protests from Palestinians and other countries. Supporters of Israel praised the action as an acknowledgment of the country's sovereignty over Jerusalem, while detractors claimed it breached international law and jeopardized regional peace efforts.
The famous aviation pioneer, Charles Lindbergh, took off from Roosevelt Field in Long Island, New York, and flew his plane, the Spirit of St. Louis, to Paris, France.
Charles Lindbergh's famous trip took place on May 20-21, 1927, when he completed the 3,610-mile trek in 33.5 hours. Lindbergh's success instantly made him a star and a hero in the eyes of many people all over the world. His journey was a watershed moment in aviation history, establishing the capability of long-distance flight and encouraging many other pilots to attempt similar feats.
The coronation of King George VI took place in Westminster Abbey, London, following the abdication of his brother, King Edward VIII, the previous year.
King George VI's coronation took place on May 12, 1937, in Westminster Abbey, London. After his brother, King Edward VIII, abdicated in 1936, King George VI succeeded to the throne. The coronation was a lavish ceremony attended by dignitaries, royal family members, and delegates from around the British Empire. During a period of political and economic instability, the event served as a symbol of continuity and stability for the British people.
The Soviet Union lifted the blockade of Berlin, ending a 327-day standoff between the Western powers and the Soviet Union.
The Soviet Union ended its blockade of Berlin, which had been in effect for 327 days, on May 12, 1949. The embargo was implemented in reaction to the Western powers' intention to consolidate their occupation zones in Germany and form the Federal Republic of Germany, a new democratic state. The Soviet Union considered this action as a danger to its authority in Eastern Europe and attempted to convince the Western countries to abandon their intentions by cutting off access to Berlin, which was deep within the Soviet occupation zone. The embargo triggered a tense standoff between the Western countries and the Soviet Union, but the Western powers were eventually able to feed the city by air, and the Soviet Union withdrew the siege in May 1949. The standoff was a watershed episode in the early Cold War, demonstrating the commitment of Western nations to confront Soviet aggression.
A massive earthquake measuring 8.0 on the Richter scale struck the Sichuan province of China, killing over 87,000 people and injuring more than 370,000 others.
A massive earthquake measuring 8.0 on the Richter scale rocked China's Sichuan province on May 12, 2008. The earthquake caused severe damage to houses, infrastructure, and roadways, killing about 87,000 people and injuring 370,000 more. The earthquake was one of the worst in Chinese history, prompting the Chinese government and foreign assistance groups to launch a large relief and recovery operation. The incident highlighted the country's need for enhanced earthquake preparedness and infrastructure, spurring new measures to reinforce construction regulations and emergency response systems.
The United States officially opened its embassy in Jerusalem, Israel, amid controversy and protests from Palestinians and other countries.
In 2018, the United States inaugurated its embassy in Jerusalem, Israel, amidst controversy and protests from Palestinians and other countries. Supporters of Israel praised the action as an acknowledgment of the country's sovereignty over Jerusalem, while detractors claimed it breached international law and jeopardized regional peace efforts.
That's right! Following President Donald Trump's contentious decision to declare Jerusalem as Israel's capital, the United States formally opened its embassy in Jerusalem on May 12, 2018. Supporters of Israel praised the action as an acknowledgement of the country's sovereignty over Jerusalem, which is revered by Jews, Christians, and Muslims alike. However, critics contended that the move defied international law and jeopardized regional peace efforts, as Palestinians also claim Jerusalem as the capital of their future state. Protests and skirmishes between Palestinians and Israeli security forces erupted in response to the embassy's inauguration, resulting in multiple fatalities and injuries.