12 May in Indian and World History is celebrated, observed, and remembered for various reasons. 12 May is the birth anniversary of Katharine Hepburn, Vijay Bhatt, Viren J. Shah, George Carlin, K. G. Balakrishnan, andAruna Sairam.
12 May is also observed as the death anniversary of Hugh Henry Gough and Sarat Pujari.
Birth Anniversary on 12 May
12 May in Indian history is celebrated as the birth anniversary of the following personalities:
Katharine Hepburn (12 May 1907 – 29 June 2003), indomitable American stage and film actress, known as a spirited performer with a touch of eccentricity. She introduced into her roles a strength of character previously considered to be undesirable in Hollywood leading ladies. She was born on 12 May 1907.
Vijay Bhatt (12 May 1907 – 17 October 1993) from Palitana was a prominent Indian film director, producer, and screenwriter. He is remembered for his significant contributions to early Indian cinema, including the classic film ‘Bharat Milap’.
Viren J. Shah (12 May 1926 – 9 March 2013), an Indian politician and 22nd Governor of West Bengal. Shah was a member of Lok Sabha from 1967 to 1970 and of Rajya Sabha during 1975 -1981 and 1990-1996. He had served as Treasurer of the Bharatiya Janata Party. Shah was chairman emeritus of Mukand Steel, a steel and engineering company in Mumbai, where he held the position of managing director for 27 years from 1972 to 1999. He was born on 12 May 1926.
George Denis Patrick Carlin (12 May 1937 – 22 June 2008), an American stand-up comedian, actor, social critic, and author. The first of Carlin’s 14 stand-up comedy specials for HBO was filmed in 1977. He placed second on Comedy Central’s list of top 10 American comedians. He was born on 12 May 1937.
K. G. Balakrishnan (born 12 May 1945) hails from Thalayolaparambu and served as the 37th Chief Justice of India. His tenure is noted for his judgments on human rights and social justice.
Aruna Sairam (born 12 May 1960) is an acclaimed Indian classical vocalist from Mumbai. She is celebrated for her contributions to Carnatic music and has been awarded the Padma Shri for her artistic excellence.
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Death Anniversary on 12 May
12 May in Indian history is observed as the death anniversary of the following personalities:
Hugh Henry Gough (14 November 1833 – 12 May 1909), a senior British Indian Army officer and a recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces. He died on 12 May 1909.
Sarat Pujari (8 August 1934 – 12 May 2014), an Indian film actor, director and producer in the Odia film industry. He was originally from Jhaduapada, Sambalpur. He was awarded the Hemanta Das Kala Samman 2011. He died on 12 May 2014.
Read More: 10 May in Indian and World History
Notable events on 12 May in Indian and World History
Some of the Notable events on 12 May in World History are mentioned below:
12 May 1695 – English King William III departs to the Netherlands.
12 May 1780 – American General Benjamin Lincoln surrenders Charleston to the British (Revolutionary War).
12 May 1797 – Napoleon I of France conquers Venice.
12 May 1921 – National Hospital Day 1st observed in the United States.
12 May 1992 – 1st Belgian woman to ascend Mount Everest.
12 May 1897– Minna Canth, a Finnish writer and social activist, died.
May 12, 1970 – Nelly Sachs a German-Swedish poet and playwright acclaimed for her profound works that grapple with the human experience, particularly the horrors of the Holocaust. – died.
12 May Historical Significance
May 12th is a day marked by numerous significant historical events. On this date in 254, Pope Stephen I succeeded Pope Lucius I, becoming the 23rd pope of the Catholic Church. In 1640, the Revolt of Catalonia began, an uprising against the Spanish King Philip IV. The year 1732 saw Swedish botanist Carl Linnaeus embark on a six-month journey to Lapland, which would contribute greatly to the field of botany. Additionally, in 1789, William Wilberforce made his first major speech on abolition in the UK House of Commons, a pivotal moment in the fight against the slave trade. Furthermore, May 12th witnessed the start of the Nazi blitzkrieg and conquest of France in 1940, and the surrender of Axis forces in North Africa in 1943, pivotal moments in World War II. These events among others, showcase the day’s historical richness and its impact on shaping world history.
Important Days of 12 May in History
Some of the Notable events on 12 May in History are mentioned below:
International Nurses’ Day: A worldwide celebration of Nurses Day takes place on May 12 every year to commemorate the birth of Florence Nightingale. She was the founder of modern nursing. The International Council of Nurses commemorates this important day every year with the production and distribution of the International Nurses’ Day resources and evidence.
National Limerick Day (United States): A day to appreciate the humorous, five-line poems known as limericks.
The International Day of Plant Health is a globally recognized observance that highlights the importance of protecting plant health and preventing the spread of devastating pests and diseases. Celebrated on 12 May, this day serves as a reminder of the critical role that plants play in our ecosystems, food security, and overall well-being.
National Fibromyalgia Awareness Day (United States): Aimed at increasing awareness and understanding of fibromyalgia, a chronic pain disorder.
National Hospital Day (United States): Recognizes the critical role hospitals play in providing healthcare and saving lives.
National Nutty Fudge Day (United States): A lighter observance dedicated to enjoying the sweet treat of nutty fudge.