Nov 20,1942 - Present
THE 46TH PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES
2012 A suicide bomber detonated himself at a police station in Damascus, resulting in the tragic loss of 26 lives and injuring 63 others.
2012 A tragic hot air balloon crash near Carterton, New Zealand, claims all 11 lives onboard.
2012 A bombing in Jamrud, Pakistan, in 2012 resulted in the loss of at least 30 lives and injuries to 78 others.
2012 Violent protests in Romania against economic austerity measures.
2012 The Costa Concordia passenger cruise ship sinks off the coast of Italy, resulting in 32 confirmed deaths.
2012 The Mali War ignited when Tuareg militias initiated a fight for independence against the Malian government, reshaping the political landscape in the region.
2012 The FBI's shutdown of the Hong Kong-based file-sharing website Megaupload sends shockwaves through the online community. This high-profile event becomes a focal point in the ongoing debates surrounding internet regulation and copyright enforcement.
2012 The MV Rabaul Queen ferry sinks off Papua New Guinea's coast near the Finschhafen District, resulting in the estimated loss of 146 lives.
2012 In the Maldives, a wave of protests culminated on February 7, 2012, leading to the resignation of President Mohamed Nasheed. The demonstrations, lasting 23 days, called for the release of the Chief Judge, unlawfully arrested by the military. This event marked a turning point in Maldivian politics.
2012 The European Space Agency (ESA) marked a milestone with the maiden launch of the European Vega rocket from Kourou, French Guiana, advancing Europe's presence in space exploration.
2012 A Honduran prison fire claims the lives of 360 inmates, shedding light on issues in the penal system.
2012 Tragedy unfolds in Apodaca, Nuevo León, Mexico, as a prison brawl claims the lives of 44 individuals, casting a grim shadow over the nation's penal system.
2012 Buenos Aires, Argentina, became the site of a horrific train crash that claimed 51 lives and left 700 others injured, highlighting urgent concerns about transportation safety.
2012 A series of attacks across Iraq leave at least 83 killed and more than 250 injured.
2012 North Korea agrees to suspend uranium enrichment and nuclear and long-range missile tests in return for US food aid.
2012 A devastating tornado outbreak ravaged a vast expanse of the Southern United States and the Ohio Valley region in 2012, resulting in numerous tornado-related fatalities and widespread destruction.
2012 A catastrophic explosion rocks Brazzaville, the capital of the Republic of the Congo, claiming the lives of at least 250 people and leaving the city in shock and mourning.
2012 Tropical Storm Irina wreaks havoc in Madagascar, exacting a heavy toll as it takes the lives of over 75 people and leaves a trail of destruction in its wake.
2012 A truce between the Salvadoran government and gangs went into effect, with the transfer of 30 gang leaders to lower-security prisons, offering a glimmer of hope for peace in the country.
2012 A somber event occurred in the Panjwayi District of Afghanistan near Kandahar in 2012 when a U.S. soldier tragically killed sixteen civilians, leaving a lasting impact on the region.
2012 The tragic Sierre coach crash in 2012 claimed the lives of 28 people, including 22 children, in a heart-wrenching accident that deeply impacted Switzerland and the international community.
2012 A wave of terror attacks across ten Iraqi cities left over 50 people dead and hundreds injured, underscoring the ongoing challenges to stability in the region.
2012 A mass shooting on April 2, 2012, at Oikos University in California left seven people dead and three injured, highlighting the ongoing issue of gun violence and campus security in the United States.
2012 Azawad, a region in Mali, boldly proclaims its independence from the Republic of Mali, setting the stage for a complex geopolitical struggle in West Africa.
2012 A pair of powerful earthquakes strike the Wharton Basin west of Sumatra, Indonesia, causing widespread destruction, with ten fatalities, twelve injuries, and a non-destructive tsunami observed on the island of Nias.
2012 The trial of Anders Behring Breivik, the perpetrator of the 2011 Norway attacks, began in Oslo, Norway. This high-profile trial held significant legal and societal implications as Norway sought justice for the tragic events of the previous year.
2012 The Pulitzer Prize winners for journalism and literature were announced, with the notable absence of a Fiction Prize recipient. This occurrence marked a rare moment in the history of the prestigious literary awards.
2012 The head-on collision of two trains near Sloterdijk, Amsterdam, serves as a tragic reminder of the importance of railway safety and maintenance.
2012 Dnipropetrovsk, Ukraine, bears witness to a series of explosions that rock the city, resulting in injuries to at least 27 individuals in this tragic incident.
2012 Brahmaputra River Ferry Tragedy: An overloaded ferry tragically capsizes on the Brahmaputra River in India, resulting in the loss of at least 103 lives and underscoring the importance of safety measures in water transportation.
2012 The art world witnessed a historic moment as a pastel version of Edvard Munch's iconic painting "The Scream" fetched an astounding $120 million in a New York City auction, setting a new world record.
2012 The Damascus bombings, orchestrated through a pair of car bombs detonated by suicide bombers outside a military intelligence complex, inflict a devastating toll of 55 lives lost in Damascus, Syria, casting a somber shadow on the city's history.
2012 Mexican authorities made a gruesome discovery when they found 49 dismembered bodies along Mexican Federal Highway 40, a horrific event that sent shockwaves through the nation.
2012 A tragic aviation incident occurred on May 14, 2012, when Agni Air Flight CHT crashed in Nepal after a failed go-around, resulting in the loss of 15 lives.
2012 Tragedy struck in Brindisi, Italy, as three gas cylinder bombs exploded in front of a vocational school, claiming one life and injuring five others in a devastating incident.
2012 The city of Deir ez-Zor, Syria, faced a grim day as a car bomb exploded near a military complex, resulting in the loss of nine lives and further instability in the region.
2012 A 6.0-magnitude earthquake striking northern Italy resulted in at least 27 fatalities and 50 injuries, highlighting the region's vulnerability to seismic activity and the need for disaster preparedness.
2012 A tragic bus accident near Himara, Albania, resulted in the loss of thirteen lives and injuries to twenty-one others, highlighting the importance of road safety.
2012 A devastating suicide bombing in Sana'a, Yemen, claimed the lives of more than 120 people, underscoring the ongoing challenges of regional instability.
2012 Tokyo Skytree, the world's tallest tower at 634 meters, opened its doors to the public, offering breathtaking views of the city skyline and marking a significant architectural achievement.
2012 SpaceX's COTS Demo Flight 2 marked a historic milestone in space exploration as a Dragon capsule was launched aboard a Falcon 9 rocket, becoming the first commercial flight to the International Space Station.
2012 The SpaceX Dragon 1 spacecraft achieves a historic milestone by becoming the first commercial spacecraft to successfully rendezvous and dock with the International Space Station, paving the way for a new era in space exploration and commerce.
2012 A 5.8-magnitude earthquake shook northern Italy on May 29th, 2012, near Bologna, leading to the tragic loss of at least 24 lives. This event highlighted the vulnerability of regions to seismic activity and the importance of preparedness and response measures.
2012 Former Liberian president Charles Taylor is sentenced to 50 years in prison for his role in atrocities committed during the Sierra Leone Civil War, marking a significant moment in international justice.
2012 Mubarak's Verdict: Former Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak receives a life sentence for his involvement in the killing of demonstrators during the 2011 Egyptian revolution, a significant moment in Egypt's recent history.
2012 A catastrophic plane crash unfolds in a residential neighborhood in Lagos, Nigeria, claiming the lives of all 153 individuals on board and six people on the ground, leaving a community in shock and mourning.
2012 The grand pageant commemorating the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II takes center stage on the River Thames, marking a historic celebration of her reign.
2012 Afghanistan faces a devastating tragedy as two earthquakes trigger a catastrophic landslide. Over 80 people lose their lives, and an entire village is buried under the force of nature, marking a somber moment in the nation's history.
2012 A series of coordinated bombings strike across Iraq, including Baghdad, Hillah, and Kirkuk, resulting in a tragic loss of life and numerous injuries, highlighting the ongoing challenges of security and stability.
2012 Daredevil Nik Wallenda etches his name in history by successfully tightrope walking directly over the majestic Niagara Falls, achieving a breathtaking feat of courage and skill.
2012 China achieves a remarkable milestone as it successfully launches the Shenzhou 9 spacecraft, carrying three astronauts, including the first female Chinese astronaut, Liu Yang, to the Tiangong-1 orbital module, showcasing China's advancements in space exploration.
2012 The United States Air Force's enigmatic Boeing X-37B spaceplane returns to Earth after a classified 469-day orbital mission, leaving curious onlookers speculating about its covert missions in space.
2012 WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange requested asylum in the Ecuadorian Embassy in London, fearing extradition to the United States after publishing previously classified documents, including footage of civilian casualties caused by the U.S. army.
2012 A tragic maritime incident unfolded in 2012 as a boat carrying more than 200 migrants capsized in the Indian Ocean, located between the Indonesian island of Java and Christmas Island. This heartbreaking event resulted in the loss of 17 lives and left 70 others missing, highlighting the perils faced by migrants seeking a better life.
2012 Paraguayan President Fernando Lugo faced impeachment and removal from office, giving way to Federico Franco, in a dramatic political upheaval that reshaped the nation's leadership.
2012 Tensions escalated between Turkey and Syria as a Turkish Air Force McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II fighter plane was downed by Syrian Armed Forces, resulting in the tragic loss of both pilots and exacerbating already strained relations between the neighboring countries.
2012 Athletic excellence reached new heights in 2012 as Ashton Eaton shattered the decathlon world record at the United States Olympic Trials, showcasing extraordinary athleticism and determination.
2012 A poignant chapter in the annals of conservation unfolds as Lonesome George, the last-known individual of Chelonoidis nigra abingdonii, a subspecies of the Galápagos tortoise, breathes his last, underscoring the urgent need for species preservation efforts worldwide.
2012 The Waldo Canyon fire's devastating impact on Colorado Springs, including the loss of 347 homes and two lives, underscores the urgency of wildfire preparedness and management in the face of natural disasters.
2012 A powerful derecho storm sweeps across the eastern United States, leaving a trail of destruction, claiming at least 22 lives, and plunging millions into darkness, a reminder of nature's formidable force.
2012 A groundbreaking discovery was announced at CERN as particles consistent with the elusive Higgs boson were detected, shedding light on the fundamental building blocks of the universe.
2012 London celebrated the inauguration of The Shard, Europe's tallest building, soaring to a remarkable height of 310 meters, an iconic addition to the city's skyline and a symbol of architectural innovation.
2012 A devastating flash flood claims the lives of at least 172 people in Russia's Krasnodar Krai region, highlighting the vulnerability of communities to natural disasters.
2012 In a historic decision, the Episcopal Church USA embraced equality as it allowed same-sex marriage, a significant step forward in the recognition of LGBTQ+ rights within religious institutions.
2012 South Korean rapper Psy unleashes his viral hit single "Gangnam Style" on the world, transcending language barriers and cultural boundaries to become a global pop culture phenomenon.
2012 In 2012, a devastating bomb exploded on an Israeli tour bus at Burgas Airport, Bulgaria, resulting in the tragic deaths of at least seven people and injuries to 32 others.
2012 The capture of the city of Kobanî by the People's Protection Units (YPG) in 2012 AD, without resistance, marked the beginning of the Rojava conflict in Northeast Syria.
2012 On July 20, 2012, tragedy struck as James Holmes opened fire at a movie theater in Aurora, Colorado, killing 12 people and injuring 70 others, a somber moment in recent American history.
2012 In the midst of the Syrian civil war, on July 20, 2012, the People's Protection Units (YPG) captured the cities of Amuda and Efrîn without resistance, marking a significant turn of events in the conflict.
2012 Erden Eruç achieves a remarkable milestone as he completes the first solo human-powered circumnavigation of the world, showcasing the endurance of the human spirit and the power of determination.
2012 In the Syrian civil war, the People's Protection Units (YPG) capture the cities of Serê Kaniyê and Dirbêsiyê during clashes with pro-government forces in Al-Hasakah, altering the dynamics of the conflict.
2012 Earth narrowly escapes a catastrophic event as a colossal coronal mass ejection emitted by the Sun, known as the Solar storm of 2012, misses our planet by a mere nine days, averting potential damages worth trillions of dollars to global electrical equipment.
2012 In 2012, the People's Protection Units (YPG) captured the city of Girkê Legê during the Syrian civil war, marking a significant development in the conflict's dynamics.
2012 A tragic train fire claims 32 lives and injures 27 passengers on the Tamil Nadu Express in Andhra Pradesh, India.
2012 A massive power grid failure plunges more than 300 million people into darkness in northern India, causing widespread disruptions.
2012 Michael Phelps etched his name in Olympic history as he broke a record set in 1964 by Larisa Latynina for the most medals won at the Olympics, marking a monumental achievement in the world of sports.
2012 The Wisconsin Sikh temple shooting in Oak Creek, Wisconsin, leaves six victims dead and ends with the perpetrator taking his own life, highlighting issues of hate and violence.
2012 NASA's Curiosity rover successfully landed on the Martian surface, marking a groundbreaking achievement in planetary exploration and igniting excitement about the search for signs of life on Mars.
2012 A milestone for gender equality in sports as Shannon Eastin becomes the first woman to officiate an NFL game, breaking barriers in American football.
2012 The Marikana massacre unfolded near Rustenburg, South Africa, in 2012 AD, resulting in the tragic loss of 47 lives and serving as a poignant reminder of the ongoing social and labor challenges in the region.
2012 Tragedy befalls Tabriz, Iran, as a pair of earthquakes claim the lives of at least 306 people and leave 3,000 others injured, forever altering the city's landscape.
2012 Tragedy strikes in Marikana near Rustenburg, South Africa, as police fatally shoot 34 miners and wound 78 more during an industrial dispute, leaving a profound impact on the labor rights movement in the country.
2012 A prison riot erupted in the Venezuelan capital, Caracas, resulting in the tragic loss of at least 20 lives. The violence underscored the challenges faced within the country's penal system.
2012 Ethnic clashes over grazing rights for cattle in Kenya's Tana River District result in more than 52 tragic deaths, underscoring the challenges of land disputes in the region.
2012 A tragic accident occurred on August 23, 2012, when a hot-air balloon crashed near the Slovenian capital of Ljubljana, resulting in the loss of six lives and injuring 28 others, emphasizing the importance of safety in recreational aviation.
2012 Anders Behring Breivik, responsible for the 2011 Norway attacks, is sentenced to twenty-one years of preventive detention, marking a significant moment in the legal proceedings surrounding one of Europe's deadliest attacks.
2012 Voyager 1 spacecraft's entry into interstellar space represents a historic achievement, as the first man-made object to venture beyond our solar system's boundaries.
2012 Tragedy strikes as 26 Chinese miners lose their lives, and 21 go missing in a blast at the Xiaojiawan coal mine in Sichuan Province.
2012 The XIV Paralympic Games open in London, showcasing the remarkable achievements of Paralympic athletes from around the world.
2012 The accidental explosion at a Turkish Army ammunition store in Afyon, Turkey, in 2012 resulted in the tragic loss of 25 soldiers and injuries to four others, illustrating the risks associated with military operations.
2012 A tragic maritime accident occurred as a fishing boat capsized off the İzmir Province coast of Turkey, near the Greek Aegean islands, leading to the loss of 61 lives.
2012 Canada's closure of its embassy in Tehran and expulsion of Iranian diplomats from Ottawa in 2012 marked a significant diplomatic rupture over nuclear concerns and human rights issues.
2012 India's space agency achieves a remarkable feat in 2012 by successfully placing its heaviest foreign satellite into orbit, furthering its reputation as a space exploration powerhouse.
2012 Iraq experiences a wave of tragic attacks in 2012, resulting in the loss of over 100 lives and injuries to hundreds more, underscoring the ongoing challenges facing the nation.
2012 Tragedy strikes as a total of 315 people lose their lives in two garment factory fires in Pakistan, highlighting the challenges faced by workers in the garment industry.
2012 The U.S. embassy in Benghazi, Libya, is attacked, resulting in the loss of four lives and sparking a significant political controversy.
2012 Tragedy strikes Greater Manchester as PC Nicola Hughes and PC Fiona Bone are ambushed and murdered in a shocking attack, a stark reminder of the risks faced by law enforcement officers.
2012 Border attack: Three Egyptian militants open fire on Israeli soldiers in a cross-border attack in southern Israel.
2012 On September 27, 2012, a tragic shooting in Minneapolis resulted in the deaths of five citizens before the perpetrator took his own life. This heartbreaking incident underscored the ongoing challenges of addressing gun violence in society.
2012 Somali and African Union forces launch a coordinated assault on Kismayo to retake the city from al-Shabaab militants.
2012 A tragic ferry collision off the coast of Hong Kong claims the lives of 38 people and injures 102 others, prompting a reassessment of maritime safety and emergency response procedures.
2012 The world holds its breath as Pakistani Taliban attempt to assassinate the courageous schoolgirl Malala Yousafzai, sparking global outrage and reaffirming the importance of education.
2012 The European Union stands as a beacon of peace as it is awarded the 2012 Nobel Peace Prize, recognizing its role in promoting unity and stability on the continent.
2012 Fearless adventurer Felix Baumgartner captures the world's imagination as he successfully leaps to Earth from the stratosphere, pushing the boundaries of human endurance and exploration.
2012 A devastating bomb explosion in Lebanon claims the lives of eight individuals and leaves 110 more injured, highlighting the region's volatile situation.
2012 Cyclist Lance Armstrong faces a dramatic fall from grace as he is formally stripped of his seven Tour de France titles following doping allegations, marking a pivotal moment in sports history.
2012 Microsoft's public release of Windows 8 in 2012 marked a pivotal moment in the evolution of operating systems, shaping the future of computing.
2012 Hurricane Sandy makes landfall on the U.S. East Coast, causing widespread destruction, claiming 148 lives directly, and leaving 138 more indirectly affected. This superstorm results in significant economic losses and underscores the importance of disaster resilience.
2012 Tragedy struck the Saudi Arabian capital of Riyadh as a fuel tank truck crashed and erupted in a devastating explosion, resulting in the loss of 26 lives and injuring 135 individuals, leaving a deep impact on the city.
2012 In a groundbreaking moment in American politics, Tammy Baldwin secures her place in history by becoming the first openly gay politician elected to the United States Senate.
2012 A devastating earthquake off the Pacific coast of Guatemala on November 7, 2012, claimed the lives of at least 52 people, leaving a lasting impact on the region.
2012 Tragedy struck in northern Myanmar on November 9, 2012, when a train carrying liquid fuel crashed and burst into flames, leading to the loss of 27 lives and the injury of 80 others, underscoring the importance of safety in transportation.
2012 In November 9, 2012, a violent conflict erupted between inmates and guards at Welikada prison in Colombo, Sri Lanka, resulting in the tragic loss of at least 27 lives and injuries to numerous others, highlighting the challenges within the penal system.
2012 A powerful earthquake with a magnitude of 6.8 strikes northern Burma, causing the loss of at least 26 lives.
2012 The total solar eclipse witnessed in parts of Australia and the South Pacific became a breathtaking celestial event, capturing the wonder of astronomers and enthusiasts alike.
2012 Israel responds decisively to escalating rocket attacks by Hamas in the Gaza Strip, launching a major military operation that shapes regional dynamics and global discourse.
2012 Xi Jinping assumed the role of General Secretary of the Chinese Communist Party on this date, and a new seven-member Politburo Standing Committee was inaugurated, signifying a significant political transition in China's leadership.
2012 A tragic accident at a railway crossing near Manfalut, Egypt, claims the lives of at least 50 schoolchildren, underscoring the importance of railway safety and vigilance.
2012 Pope Tawadros II's ascension as the 118th Pope of the Coptic Orthodox Church of Alexandria marks a pivotal moment in Coptic Christianity.
2012 A bomb thrown onto a bus in Tel Aviv resulted in at least 28 people being wounded, underscoring the ongoing security challenges in the region.
2012 A period of conflict in the Middle East came to a temporary halt in 2012 when a ceasefire was brokered between Hamas in the Gaza Strip and Israel. This ceasefire, following eight days of violence and a toll of 150 lives lost, offered a moment of respite in a troubled region.
2012 A devastating fire engulfs a clothing factory in Dhaka, Bangladesh, claiming the lives of at least 112 people, highlighting concerns about workplace safety.
2012 A tragic incident occurs as an Ilyushin Il-76 cargo plane belonging to Aéro-Service crashes into houses near Maya-Maya Airport during a thunderstorm, resulting in the loss of at least 32 lives.
2012 A catastrophic disaster unfolds in the Philippines as Typhoon Bopha makes landfall, resulting in the tragic loss of at least 475 lives and leaving a trail of destruction in its wake.
2012 A tragic plane crash in Mexico claimed the lives of seven people, highlighting the importance of aviation safety measures and disaster response.
2012 Tragedy strikes in Syria in 2012 as at least 125 people lose their lives, and up to 200 are injured in a series of bombings in the Alawite village of Aqrab, highlighting the ongoing violence and instability in the region.
2012 North Korea's successful launch of its first satellite, Kwangmyŏngsŏng-3 Unit 2, in 2012 showcased its advancements in space technology.
2012 A somber day descends upon Sandy Hook, Connecticut, as the tragic Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting unfolds, claiming the lives of twenty-eight individuals, including the assailant, in a heart-wrenching chapter that leaves a scar on the nation's soul.
2012 South Korea elects its first female president, Park Geun-hye, marking a significant step forward in the country's political landscape.
2012 A tragic day in Pakistan as Bashir Ahmad Bilour, a prominent figure in the Awami National Party, falls victim to a suicide attack by Pakistan Taliban bombers, a somber reminder of the challenges faced by the nation.
2012 An Antonov An-72 plane tragically crashes near Shymkent, resulting in the loss of 27 lives and a somber day for aviation history.
2012 Air Bagan Flight 011, a Fokker 100, crashes on its approach to Heho Airport in Myanmar, claiming the lives of two people in a heart-wrenching aviation incident.
2012 China inaugurated the world's longest high-speed rail route, connecting Beijing and Guangzhou, revolutionizing transportation infrastructure.
2012 Tragedy unfolded at Vnukovo International Airport in Moscow as a Tupolev Tu-204 airliner overshot the runway, crashing in a ditch between the airport fence and the M3 highway, resulting in the loss of five lives and critical injuries to three others.
2012 Clashes between fans of Egyptian football teams Al Masry and Al Ahly in 2012 resulted in 74 fatalities and over 500 injuries, marking a tragic chapter in sports history.
2012 The central Philippine island of Negros shakes as a magnitude 6.7 earthquake strikes, claiming 112 lives and leaving a trail of destruction, underscoring the region's vulnerability to seismic activity.
2012 A train derails in Burlington, Ontario, Canada killing at least three people and injuring 45.
2012 Seventeen-year-old African-American student Trayvon Martin is shot to death by neighborhood watch coordinator George Zimmerman in an altercation in Sanford, Florida.
2012 The Syrian Civil War witnessed a grim chapter as government forces targeted the homes of rebels and activists in Tremseh, resulting in a significant loss of life and intensifying the conflict.
2012 A tragic tank truck explosion in Okobie, Nigeria, claimed the lives of over a hundred people, underscoring the importance of safety measures in transportation.
2012 A tragic plane crash near the Benazir Bhutto International Airport near Islamabad, Pakistan, claimed the lives of 127 individuals, leaving a nation in mourning.
