January 12

Events - Politics & Government

475day.year

Byzantine Emperor Zeno is forced to flee his capital at Constantinople, and his general, Basiliscus gains control of the empire.

In 475, Emperor Zeno was forced to flee Constantinople, allowing his general Basiliscus to seize control of the Eastern Roman Empire.
In January 475, the Eastern Roman Emperor Zeno faced a violent uprising that forced him to abandon his seat in Constantinople. His skilled general Basiliscus capitalized on the chaos, rallying troops and securing the imperial palace. Basiliscus then proclaimed himself sole ruler, marking one of the Empire's most dramatic coups. Zeno sought refuge outside the capital and later attempted to reclaim his throne through military and diplomatic efforts. This episode underscored the instability of the late Empire and the fragile nature of imperial authority.
475 Byzantine Emperor Zeno Constantinople Basiliscus
1528day.year

Gustav I of Sweden is crowned King of Sweden, having already reigned since his election in June 1523.

In 1528, five years after his election, Gustav I was formally crowned King of Sweden, solidifying his role as monarch during the Swedish Reformation.
Gustav I Vasa, known for leading Sweden to break with the Kalmar Union, had been elected in 1523. On January 12, 1528, he received the regal crown in a grand coronation ceremony. His reign marked the start of the Vasa dynasty and the establishment of a hereditary monarchy. Under his rule, Sweden underwent significant religious reforms, aligning the nation with Lutheranism. The coronation ceremony included nobles from across the realm and underscored the independence Sweden achieved from Danish influence.
1528 Gustav I of Sweden
1554day.year

Bayinnaung, who would go on to assemble the largest empire in the history of Southeast Asia, is crowned King of Burma.

In 1554, Bayinnaung ascended to the Burmese throne, later unifying vast territories to become Southeast Asia's greatest empire builder.
Bayinnaung was crowned King of Burma on January 12, 1554, beginning a reign that would expand the Taungoo Dynasty to unprecedented scale. Known for his military prowess and diplomatic acumen, he forged alliances and conquered neighboring kingdoms, from Ayutthaya to Lan Xang. His administration standardized laws, promoted Buddhism, and facilitated trade across his domains. The empire he assembled became the largest in Southeast Asian history, influencing regional politics for decades. Bayinnaung's legacy endures in Burmese cultural memory as a symbol of unity and strength.
1554 Bayinnaung largest empire King of Burma
1792day.year

Federalist Thomas Pinckney appointed first U.S. minister to Britain.

In 1792, Thomas Pinckney became the first U.S. minister to Great Britain, shaping early American diplomacy with one of its most important trading partners.
President George Washington appointed Federalist statesman Thomas Pinckney as the inaugural American envoy to London on January 12, 1792. Pinckney had recently negotiated Pinckney's Treaty with Spain, earning diplomatic acclaim. His mission in Britain focused on resolving lingering issues from the Revolutionary War, establishing trade agreements, and building transatlantic relations. He navigated complex tensions with Britain over naval impressments and frontier disputes. Pinckney's tenure laid groundwork for future treaties and helped define the young United States' approach to European powers.
1792 Thomas Pinckney
1872day.year

Yohannes IV is crowned Emperor of Ethiopia in Axum, the first imperial coronation in that city in over 200 years.

In 1872, Yohannes IV was crowned Emperor of Ethiopia in Axum, marking the revival of imperial coronations in the ancient city after two centuries.
Yohannes IV ascended the Ethiopian throne on January 12, 1872, in a grand ceremony at the historic Church of Our Lady Mary of Zion in Axum. His coronation was the first in over 200 years in the ancient seat of Ethiopian kings. Facing challenges from Ottoman Egypt and Mahdist Sudan, Yohannes worked to consolidate regional power and defend his realm's sovereignty. He enacted military reforms, promoted Ethiopian Orthodox Christianity, and sought alliances with European powers. His reign is remembered for strengthening the Ethiopian state and preserving its independence during a period of imperial expansion in Africa.
1872 Yohannes IV Ethiopia Axum
1915day.year

The United States House of Representatives rejects a proposed constitutional amendment to require states to give women the right to vote.

The House votes down a constitutional amendment to grant women the right to vote.
On January 12, 1915, the U.S. House of Representatives defeated a measure to enfranchise women nationwide. The proposed amendment would have required every state to extend voting rights to women. Opponents cited states’ rights and tradition to argue against federal intervention. The vote reflected deep divisions in Congress despite growing suffrage movements across the country. Major suffragists like Alice Paul and Carrie Chapman Catt intensified campaigns following the setback. The rejection delayed national women’s suffrage until the passage of the 19th Amendment in 1920. This event underscored the persistence and resilience of the suffrage movement.
1915 United States House of Representatives women the right to vote
1932day.year

Hattie Caraway becomes the first woman elected to the United States Senate.

Hattie Caraway makes history as the first woman elected to the United States Senate.
On January 12, 1932, Hattie Wyatt Caraway of Arkansas won a special election to the U.S. Senate. She had been appointed in 1931 to fill the vacancy left by her late husband, Senator Thaddeus Caraway. Facing a tough primary, Caraway campaigned tirelessly across the state, earning support from the New Deal coalition. Her victory shattered the gender barrier in the Senate, paving the way for future women legislators. During her tenure, she championed farmers’ interests, veterans’ benefits, and flood control projects. Caraway served until 1945, becoming known for her quiet determination and bipartisan cooperation. Her landmark election remains a milestone in American political history.
1932 Hattie Caraway United States Senate
1933day.year

Casas Viejas incident: 22 peasants killed by the Security and Assault Corps in Casas Viejas, Spain.

Spanish Security forces massacre 22 peasants in the Casas Viejas uprising.
On January 12, 1933, Spanish government forces violently suppressed an anarchist-led uprising in Casas Viejas, Andalusia. The Security and Assault Corps stormed the village after peasants declared libertarian communes. Twenty-two villagers, including women and children, were executed or burned alive in their homes. News of the massacre sparked nationwide outrage and fueled political polarization during the Second Republic. The incident undermined public confidence in Prime Minister Manuel Azaña’s government. Investigations and protests followed, but few officers were held accountable. Casas Viejas became a symbol of state repression and a rallying cry for Spanish leftists.
1933 Casas Viejas incident Security and Assault Corps Casas Viejas Spain
1942day.year

World War II: United States President Franklin D. Roosevelt creates the National War Labor Board.

President Roosevelt establishes the National War Labor Board to mediate labor disputes during WWII.
On January 12, 1942, President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed an executive order creating the National War Labor Board (NWLB). The board’s primary mission was to prevent strikes and lockouts that could disrupt war production. Composed of representatives from labor, industry, and the public, the NWLB mediated wage and working condition disputes. It set guidelines on wage stabilization, collective bargaining, and employment equality. The board also addressed grievances from minority and female workers entering war industries. By settling over 1,200 disputes, the NWLB helped maintain industrial peace throughout WWII. Its success influenced postwar labor relations and the development of federal mediation practices.
1942 World War II Franklin D. Roosevelt National War Labor Board
1966day.year

Lyndon B. Johnson states that the United States should stay in South Vietnam until Communist aggression there is ended.

President Lyndon B. Johnson affirmed U.S. commitment to remain in South Vietnam until Communist aggression ended on January 12, 1966.
On January 12, 1966, President Lyndon B. Johnson declared that American forces would stay in South Vietnam until Communist aggression ceased. This statement underscored a major escalation in U.S. involvement following the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution. Johnson’s commitment reflected Cold War policy and the domino theory driving U.S. intervention in Southeast Asia. The announcement bolstered troop deployments, fueling further escalation that would define the war’s trajectory. Johnson’s stance also provoked domestic debate over U.S. military strategy and public support for the war.
1966 Lyndon B. Johnson South Vietnam Communist
1971day.year

The Harrisburg Seven: Rev. Philip Berrigan and five other activists are indicted on charges of conspiring to kidnap Henry Kissinger and of plotting to blow up the heating tunnels of federal buildings in Washington, D.C.

Rev. Philip Berrigan and five activists known as the Harrisburg Seven were indicted for alleged anti-war plots on January 12, 1971.
On January 12, 1971, U.S. authorities indicted the so-called Harrisburg Seven, including Rev. Philip Berrigan, for conspiracy against the government. They faced charges of plotting to kidnap National Security Advisor Henry Kissinger and sabotage federal heating tunnels in Washington, D.C. The indictment reflected intense anti-Vietnam War sentiment and the radical tactics of some protest groups. During the high-profile trial, the defendants argued their actions were moral resistance to an unjust war. The case became a symbol of the era’s clash between government authority and anti-war activism in America.
1971 Harrisburg Seven Philip Berrigan Henry Kissinger Washington, D.C.
1976day.year

The United Nations Security Council votes 11–1 to allow the Palestine Liberation Organization to participate in a Security Council debate (without voting rights).

The UN Security Council granted the PLO observer right to speak in debates on January 12, 1976.
On January 12, 1976, the United Nations Security Council voted 11–1 to allow the Palestine Liberation Organization to participate in debates, without voting rights. This decision marked the first time the PLO was formally admitted to Security Council discussions. The vote reflected shifting international attitudes toward Palestinian representation and the Middle East conflict. While supporters hailed it as progress for diplomatic engagement, some member states voiced objections. The move laid groundwork for future negotiations and shaped the PLO’s global political status.
1976 United Nations Security Council Palestine Liberation Organization