🗓️ On This Day - May 12th
What makes May 12th so notable? Is it really just another date in the calendar? Today, we saw our first ad for something delicious and really cold, we made a breakthrough in the fight against cancer, and we celebrate the people who support us when we need it most. Welcome to May 12th!
On this day
We all scream for ice cream
On this day in 1777, the first known advertisement for everyone’s favorite dessert, ice cream, was published in the New York Gazette by Philip Lenzi! The ad read, "Ladies and Gentlemen may be supplied with Ice Cream every Day at the City Tavern by their humble servant, Joseph. He makes it himself."
The fight for civil rights took flight.
The second National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) conference was held in New York City on this day in 1910. The event aimed to address issues faced by African Americans, including voting rights and racial discrimination. Attendees included many activists such as W.E.B. Du Bois and Ida B. Wells-Barnett.
A pretty cool flight!
On May 12th, 1926, Roald Amundsen, Umberto Nobile, and their crew flew over the North Pole in an airship called the Norge. The journey took about 16 hours and covered a distance of over 3,000 km. This made the Norge the first vessel to fly over the North Pole and was an incredible achievement in aviation history!
A win in the fight against cancer!
Today in 1991, a new cancer drug named Taxol was announced. This life-saving treatment had been extracted from the bark of the rare and endangered Pacific yew tree found deep in the heart of the US. Taxol became a breakthrough treatment for ovarian and breast cancer, and we now use synthesized versions to help save the trees!
Special Days Falling on May 12th
May 12th is a great day for celebrations and raising awareness. Today we celebrate heroes, poetry, and we take a closer look at a devastating illness that affects millions.
International Nurses Day
International Nurses Day is celebrated annually on the birthday of the mother of modern nursing, Florence Nightingale. These unsung heroes who help us, often on our worst days don’t get enough recognition, so this day is just for them. It’s the perfect opportunity to acknowledge the dedication and hard work of nurses who play a critical role in patient care! As mentioned, it’s also the end of National Nurses Week, too!
National Fibromyalgia Awareness Day
Fibromyalgia is an illness that causes widespread pain, fatigue, and other symptoms. The day is dedicated to educating people about the condition, promoting research, and providing support for those affected by fibromyalgia. Do your bit and read up, or donate money wherever you can!
National Limerick Day
On a lighter note, we also celebrate National Limerick Day on May 12th each year! Celebrated on the birthday of Edward Lear, the famous author of "A Book of Nonsense," who popularized the limerick. If you’re not aware, a limerick is a humorous five-line poem with a distinctive rhyming scheme, such as:
There was a young fellow named Joe,
Who loved to put on a good show,
He juggled some balls,
And climbed up some walls,
Then cartwheeled away with a bow!
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This page was last modified on August 3, 2023. Suggest an edit
This month in history
Where would we be without nurses? Going back several years, National Nurses Week is an annual event held from May 6th to May 12th in the US. Throughout the week, we look at the incredible work of nurses in all aspects of healthcare. They've helped us all get through some pretty rough times - now's the chance to pay attention to their own plights!
Famous Birthdays on May 12th
If you were born on May 12th…
You lucky thing, you fall under the zodiac sign of Taurus, which is the second astrological sign represented by the bull.
As an Earth sign, you’re likely a grounded and well-balanced person. Tauruses are known for their admirable work ethic and their ability to balance work and relaxation!
Take a look at some more facts about Taurus here!
