🗓️ On This Day - July 12th
If you’re celebrating your birthday or an anniversary on July 12th, congratulations! If not, there are plenty of other reasons why today’s worth marking in the calendar. Below, we’ve gone to the effort of rounding up the most interesting historical facts and special occasions falling on July 12th.
On this day
Alexander Hamilton died.
In 1804, Alexander Hamilton – former United States Secretary of the US Treasury – died from a gunshot wound. He was fatally shot while taking part in a duel with Vice President Aaron Burr! Hamilton, of course, would go on to be immortalized in a musical many decades later.
New Zealand was invaded.
In 1863, British forces invaded Waikato, home of the Maori King Movement, in New Zealand. In so doing, they began a new phase of the wars between the Maori and the Colonial British.
The Battle of Prokhorovka took place.
In 1943, during World War II, the Battle of Prokhorovka first started. During the battle, the Russians defeated the German forces in what is considered to be one of the largest tank skirmishes ever fought!
Malala made an important speech.
In 2013, Pakistani activist Malala Yousafzai addressed the United Nations! During her speech, she called for worldwide access to education. She’s still the youngest-ever Nobel Prize laureate.
Special Days Falling on July 12th
Do you feel like celebrating today? You’re in luck – we’ve rounded up some fun reasons to mark July 12th if you’re stuck for ideas.
Paper Bag Day
Today marks the day the paper bag was invented back in 1852 – but there’s a bigger message behind the occasion. In a world where we use far too much plastic, making simple switches to more eco-friendly items can make a huge difference. For example, opting for a paper bag over plastic can help to reduce the plastic waste we pump into the ocean. Paper is biodegradable, and the bags are just as strong and can be used over and over again!
Malala Day
In honor of Malala Yousafzai, July 12th marks an international celebration in the trailblazer’s name. Yousafzai came to global attention in the late 00s, when she bravely stood up and advocated for educational rights for girls – having grown up under oppressive Taliban rule. At just 15, Yousafzai was shot in the head by Taliban soldiers – and she miraculously survived, going on to start her education in Birmingham, UK. Today is her birthday, and it’s a great occasion to learn more about the plight young girls face in getting educated.
National Simplicity Day
The good things in life are simple. Even the smallest, simple things can brighten our days. So, today, why not try to live a more simple lifestyle? Get rid of the clutter and the unnecessary load, and bring things back to the basics! Making things simple is a technique many people already exercise in a world where we’re bombarded by information 24/7. This special day honors author and simplicity advocate Henry David Thoreau.
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This page was last modified on July 26, 2023. Suggest an edit
This month in history
London lost its trams! Or, rather, in 1952, the last of the London trams made its final journey. In doing so, it ended about 100 years of trams in London. Most people use the London buses, taxis, and the underground these days – but you can still find trams trundling across the tracks of more northern English cities, such as Manchester, Sheffield, and Nottingham.
Famous Birthdays on July 12th
If you were born on July 12th…
…you’re a Cancer! You are a great friend and partner thanks to your kindness, sensitivity, and loyalty. But, that does mean that when things don’t work out, you feel it very deeply. You’re also likely to need the help of a good friend when things go south – but you sometimes find it tough to open up. Find out more about what makes you tick over at our Cancer facts page!
