2012

2012 the year the 2009 film 2012 (film) MMXII the albums MMXII (Killing Joke album) and MMXII (Mezarkabul album) yes April 2025 Clockwise from top-left: Damage to Casino Pier in Seaside Heights, New Jersey as a result of Hurricane Sandy; the hurricane devastated the Mid-Atlantic region, especially New York City, and killed 254; Typhoon Bopha made landfall at its highest intensity and hit Mindanao, Philippines, causing 1,901 deaths; NASA's Curiosity Rover lands on the surface of Mars; The Higgs boson, an elementary particle, is discovered by CERN and revolutionizes quantum physics; K-pop artist Psy performs his hit single "Gangnam Style", which became a cultural phenomenon in 2012; A crowd of protesters at the 2012 Sydney Anti-Islamic Film Demonstration protest against the film Innocence of Muslims; Tuareg militants, seen driving near Timbuktu, Mali during the Mali war; The 2012 Summer Olympics are held in London, United Kingdom. |300x300px|thumb 2012 2012 2012 2012 was designated as: International Year of Cooperatives2012 - International Year of Cooperatives https://www.un.org/en/events/coopsyear/ United Nations April 14, 2015 2012 - International Year of Cooperatives November 10, 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20111110040232/https://www.un.org/en/events/coopsyear/ live International Year of Sustainable Energy for All2012 - International Year of Sustainable Energy for All https://www.un.org/en/events/sustainableenergyforall/ United Nations Gunian gondals April 14, 2015 2012 - International Year of Sustainable Energy for All November 2, 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20111102055457/https://www.un.org/en/events/sustainableenergyforall/ live Events January January 4 – The Cicada 3301 internet hunt begins. January 12 – Peaceful protests begin in the Romanian city of Târgu Mureș, protesters expressing solidarity towards certain figures in the medical field and calling for the resignation of president Traian Băsescu. The protests would soon spread through all of the country, marking the start of a long civil unrest in Romania, lasting up to November 2015. January 13 – The passenger cruise ship Costa Concordia runs aground off the coast of Italy, causing 32 deaths.2012-01-14 Italy cruise ship Costa Concordia accident eyewitness accounts en-GB BBC News https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-16561382 Alexis Akwagyiram 2022-01-23 January 23, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220123132730/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-16561382 live2012-03-22 Costa Concordia: Five more bodies found en-GB BBC News https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-17472345 2022-01-23 January 23, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220123132733/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-17472345 live January 18 – As part of a series of protests against the Stop Online Piracy Act and the PROTECT IP Act, the English Wikipedia, along with other websites, goes dark for 24 hours, starting at midnight Eastern Standard Time (05:00 UTC). https://edition.cnn.com/2012/01/17/tech/web/wikipedia-sopa-blackout-qa/index.html Why Wikipedia is going down at midnight John Sutter 2012-01-17 2012-01-17 CNN January 21, 2018 https://web.archive.org/web/20180121000025/http://edition.cnn.com/2012/01/17/tech/web/wikipedia-sopa-blackout-qa/index.html live January 23 – Iran–European Union relations: the European Union adopts an embargo against Iran in protest of its continued effort to enrich uranium.Jonathan Marcus https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-16674660 EU Iran sanctions: Ministers adopt Iran oil imports ban BBC News 2012-01-23 2012-05-06 October 11, 2018 https://web.archive.org/web/20181011231029/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-16674660 live February February 1 – Egypt's deadliest football incident known as the Port Said Stadium riot is sparked after local Port Said Al Masry fans attack supporters of Cairo-based team Al Ahly SC. The massacre results in 74 deaths: 72 Al Ahly fans, 1 Al Masry fan and 1 police officer. Most of the deaths are caused by stabbing, fans thrown off the stands and a stampede. February 6 The Diamond Jubilee of Elizabeth II commemorates 60 years since the accession of Elizabeth II as Queen of the United Kingdom and other Commonwealth realms. A magnitude 6.7 earthquake strike in the central Philippines island of Negros, leaving 112 people dead.Deaths from Earthquakes in 2012 https://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/eqarchives/year/2012/2012_deaths.php https://web.archive.org/web/20130327084344/http://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/eqarchives/year/2012/2012_deaths.php USGS March 27, 2013 March 9, 2022 dead February 19 – Iran suspends oil exports to Britain and France, following sanctions put in place by the European Union and the United States in January.https://edition.cnn.com/2012/02/19/world/meast/iran-oil-exports/index.html Iran suspends oil exports to France, UK CNN News February 19, 2012 February 19, 2012 February 20, 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120220110442/http://edition.cnn.com/2012/02/19/world/meast/iran-oil-exports/index.html?hpt=wo_c2 live February 21 – Greek government-debt crisis: Eurozone finance ministers reach an agreement on a second, €130-billion Greek bailout.http://www.smh.com.au/business/world-business/euro-zone-strikes-deal-on-greece-bailout-20120221-1tkxm.html Euro zone strikes deal on Greece bailout The Sydney Morning Herald Reuters February 21, 2012 February 25, 2012 February 24, 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120224011153/http://www.smh.com.au/business/world-business/euro-zone-strikes-deal-on-greece-bailout-20120221-1tkxm.html live February 26 – Seventeen-year-old African-American student Trayvon Martin is shot to death by neighborhood watch coordinator George Zimmerman in an altercation in Sanford, Florida.Robertson Campbell Schwartz John March 22, 2012 Trayvon Martin death spotlights neighborhood watch groups The New York Times https://www.nytimes.com/2012/03/23/us/trayvon-martin-death-spotlights-neighborhood-watch-groups.html June 23, 2012 May 1, 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120501164345/http://www.nytimes.com/2012/03/23/us/trayvon-martin-death-spotlights-neighborhood-watch-groups.html?_r=1 live February 27 – Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh formally transfers power to Vice President Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi, after a year of mass protests, ending his 33-year-long reign. March March 1 – Sauli Niinistö is inaugurated as the 12th President of Finland.https://yle.fi/a/3-5297162 Sauli Niinistö is Finland's 12th president Yle 2012-02-05 2023-08-17 May 31, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20230531002457/https://yle.fi/a/3-5297162 live March 4 A series of explosions is reported at a munitions dump in Brazzaville, the capital of the Republic of the Congo, with at least 250 people dead.https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-17249480 Brazzaville munitions dump blasts 'kill scores' BBC News March 4, 2012 October 9, 2020 March 4, 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120304130645/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-17249480 live Vladimir Putin is elected President of Russia. March 5 – Air date of Kony 2012 (viral documentary film) on YouTube.http://www.theyorker.co.uk/news/citynews/10807 Kony fever hits York! March 7, 2012 The Yorker Neylon, Stephanie dead https://web.archive.org/web/20120308142114/http://www.theyorker.co.uk/news/citynews/10807 March 8, 2012 http://www.metro.co.uk/tech/892373-kony-2012-campaign-shedding-light-on-uganda-conflict-a-huge-online-success KONY 2012: Campaign shedding light on Uganda conflict an online success March 7, 2012 Metro Molloy, Mark https://web.archive.org/web/20120309103031/http://www.metro.co.uk/tech/892373-kony-2012-campaign-shedding-light-on-uganda-conflict-a-huge-online-success March 9, 2012 dead http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2012/03/07/kony-2012-invisible-children-documentary-sheds-light-on-uganda-conflict-video_n_1326183.html Kony 2012: Invisible Children Documentary Sheds Light On Uganda Conflict (VIDEO) March 7, 2012 Huffington Post Nelson, Sara C. https://web.archive.org/web/20141118023620/http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2012/03/07/kony-2012-invisible-children-documentary-sheds-light-on-uganda-conflict-video_n_1326183.html?ref=uk November 18, 2014 live March 12 – A coach carrying school pupils and teachers crashes while travelling through Sierre Tunnel on the A9 motorway in western Switzerland. Of the 52 people on board, 28 are killed, among them 22 children. March 13 – After 246 years since its first publication, the Encyclopædia Britannica discontinues its print edition.McCarthy, Tom 2012-03-13 Encyclopædia Britannica halts print publication after 244 years https://www.theguardian.com/books/2012/mar/13/encyclopedia-britannica-halts-print-publication?newsfeed=true The Guardian 2012-03-14 London February 3, 2017 https://web.archive.org/web/20170203041335/https://www.theguardian.com/books/2012/mar/13/encyclopedia-britannica-halts-print-publication?newsfeed=true live March 15 – Communist party chief of Chongqing Bo Xilai, well known for his neo-Maoist leanings and policies, is removed from his post after a large scandal involving the murder of British businessman Neil Heywood and an incident involving the Chongqing police chief Wang Lijun.https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-china-17377445 Bo Xilai removed by China from Chongqing leader post BBC News March 15, 2012 February 24, 2021 February 19, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210219052710/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-china-17377445 live March 22 The President of Mali, Amadou Toumani Touré, is ousted in a coup d'état after mutinous soldiers attack government offices.https://www.nytimes.com/2012/03/23/world/africa/mali-coup-france-calls-for-elections.html subscription Soldiers Overthrow Mali Government in Setback for Democracy in Africa Adam Nossiter March 22, 2012 The New York Times March 22, 2012 March 30, 2019 https://web.archive.org/web/20190330031937/https://www.nytimes.com/2012/03/23/world/africa/mali-coup-france-calls-for-elections.html live Pakistan wins the 2012 Asia Cup cricket tournament. April April 6 – The National Movement for the Liberation of Azawad unilaterally declares the independence of Azawad from Mali.http://www.france24.com/en/20120406-france-24-exclusive-tuareg-rebels-declare-independence-mlna-mali-ansar-dine-azawad Tuareg rebels declare independence in north Mali France 24 2012-04-06 2012-04-06 April 8, 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120408061146/http://www.france24.com/en/20120406-france-24-exclusive-tuareg-rebels-declare-independence-mlna-mali-ansar-dine-azawad live April 11 - Kim Jong Un was elected First Secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea, and his father, Kim Jong Il, was given the appellation "Eternal General Secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea".Kim Takes More Top Posts Chris Green 12 April 2012 http://www.dailynk.com/english/read.php?cataId=nk01700&num=9100 live https://web.archive.org/web/20120415020037/http://www.dailynk.com/english/read.php?cataId=nk01700&num=9100 15 April 2012 12 April 2012 An 8.6 earthquake strikes Indonesia triggering a small tsunami that hits the coast of Aceh. April 12 – Mutinous soldiers in Guinea-Bissau stage a coup d'état and take control of the capital city, Bissau. They arrest interim President Raimundo Pereira and leading presidential candidate Carlos Gomes Júnior in the midst of a presidential election campaign.https://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5gGdGd-oKyai6M1KEUxMzkKCkPAfQ?docId=8ed769267a0140e4974585dc57dcc99a Krista Larson Google News Guinea-Bissau prime minister arrested Associated Press 2012-04-13 2012-05-06 April 13, 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120413175154/http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5gGdGd-oKyai6M1KEUxMzkKCkPAfQ?docId=8ed769267a0140e4974585dc57dcc99a dead April 13 – Kwangmyŏngsŏng-3, a North Korean Earth observation satellite, explodes shortly after launch. The United States and other countries had called the impending launch a violation of United Nations Security Council demands. The launch was planned to mark the centenary of the birth of Kim Il Sung, the founder of the republic.Choe Sang-hun Steven Lee Myers North Korea Says It Will Launch Satellite Into Orbit https://www.nytimes.com/2012/03/17/world/asia/north-korea-satellite-launch-missile-test.html subscription The New York Times March 16, 2012 March 16, 2012 December 15, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20211215161756/https://www.nytimes.com/2012/03/17/world/asia/north-korea-satellite-launch-missile-test.html live April 20 – Bhoja Air Flight 213 crashes near Rawalpindi, Pakistan, killing all 127 people on board.ASN Aircraft accident Boeing 737-236A AP-BKC Islamabad-Benazir Bhutto International Airport (ISB) https://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=20120420-0 Aviation Safety Network 31 March 2022 November 27, 2018 https://web.archive.org/web/20181127121313/http://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=20120420-0 live April 25 – Former Liberian President Charles Taylor is found guilty on 11 counts of aiding and abetting war crimes and crimes against humanity during the Sierra Leone Civil War.https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-17864387 BBC Taylor Sierra Leone war crimes verdiact welcomed April 26, 2012 May 1, 2012 April 28, 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120428194607/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-17864387 live May May 2 – A pastel version of The Scream, by the Norwegian painter Edvard Munch, sells for US$120 million in a New York City auction, setting a new world record for an auctioned work of art.Edvard Munch's iconic artwork The Scream sold for $120m https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-17926519 May 3, 2012 May 3, 2012 BBC News April 27, 2019 https://web.archive.org/web/20190427233017/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-17926519 liveMichaud Chris Munch's "The Scream" sells for record $120 million https://www.reuters.com/article/entertainment-us-thescream-auction-idUSBRE84200M20120503 May 3, 2012 May 3, 2012 Reuters March 21, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220321100139/https://www.reuters.com/article/entertainment-us-thescream-auction-idUSBRE84200M20120503 live May 6 – Legislative elections are held in Greece to elect all 300 members of the Hellenic Parliament and the New Democracy party led by Antonis Samaras, comes out as the largest party winning 108 out of 300 seats.http://ekloges-prev.singularlogic.eu/v2012a/public/index.html?lang=en#%7B%22cls%22:%22main%22,%22params%22:%7B%7D%7D Parliamentary Elections 2012 2022-03-28 ekloges-prev.singularlogic.eu June 20, 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120620224248/http://ekloges-prev.singularlogic.eu/v2012a/public/index.html?lang=en#%7B%22cls%22:%22main%22,%22params%22:%7B%7D%7D live 2012-05-07 Angry Greeks reject bailout, risk euro exit Reuters http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/05/06/us-greece-idUSBRE8440DG20120506 2022-03-28 https://web.archive.org/web/20120507054315/http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/05/06/us-greece-idUSBRE8440DG20120506 May 7, 2012 May 12–August 12 – The 2012 World Expo takes place in Yeosu, South Korea.2012 World Expo (English) https://web.archive.org/web/20120521232610/http://eng.expo2012.kr/main.html May 21, 2012 Retrieved January 23, 2012. May 19 – Chelsea wins the 2011-12 UEFA Champions League held in Munich, Germany by beating the home side Bayern Munich in the final.Chelsea 1-1 Bayern Munich (aet, 4-3 pens) en-GB BBC Sport https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/18044385 2021-01-04 May 13, 2017 https://web.archive.org/web/20170513004040/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/18044385 live May 20 Presidential elections were held in the Dominican Republic, Danilo Medina result as president-elect. An annular solar eclipse visible from Asia and North America is the 58th solar eclipse from 73 solar eclipses of Solar Saros 128. May 22 – Tokyo Skytree, the tallest self-supporting tower in the world at 634 metres high, is opened to the public.https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-18141311 High winds mar opening of Tokyo's Skytree tower BBC News 2012-05-22 2012-07-04 May 22, 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120522193506/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-18141311 live May 22–26 – The Eurovision Song Contest 2012 takes place in Baku, Azerbaijan, and is won by Swedish entrant Loreen with the song "Euphoria". May 25 – Houla massacre takes place, perpetrated by the Syrian Arab Army, with 108 being killed. June June 3 – Dana Air Flight 0992, on a flight from Abuja to Lagos, Nigeria, suffered a dual-engine failure during its approach to Lagos where it crashed onto buildings, killing all 153 people on board and six on the ground. June 5–6 – The century's second and last solar transit of Venus occurs. The next pair are predicted to occur in 2117 and 2125.http://eclipse.gsfc.nasa.gov/OH/transit12.html NASA Transit of Venus NASA January 23, 2012 June 6, 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120606063537/http://eclipse.gsfc.nasa.gov/OH/transit12.html live June 6 – 2012 Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus outbreak first identified. June 7 – Morley and Dianella in Perth, Western Australia, have a once in a decade tornado. June 8 – UEFA Euro 2012, hosted by Poland and Ukraine, begins in Warsaw, with a match between Poland and Greece, which ends 1-1. June 17 – Snap legislative elections are held in Greece, following failure to form a government, to elect all 300 members of the Hellenic Parliament and the New Democracy party, led by Antonis Samaras, comes out as the largest party winning 129 out of 300 seats.http://ekloges-prev.singularlogic.eu/v2012b/public/index.html?lang=en#%7B%22cls%22:%22main%22,%22params%22:%7B%7D%7D Parliamentary Elections June 2012 2022-03-28 ekloges-prev.singularlogic.eu September 26, 2017 https://web.archive.org/web/20170926132030/http://ekloges-prev.singularlogic.eu/v2012b/public/index.html?lang=en#%7B%22cls%22:%22main%22,%22params%22:%7B%7D%7D live 2012-06-18 Greek pro-bailout parties secure ruling majority Reuters http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/06/17/us-greece-election-idUSBRE85F05320120617 2022-03-28 https://web.archive.org/web/20120618035004/http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/06/17/us-greece-election-idUSBRE85F05320120617 June 18, 2012 June 18 – Shenzhou 9, a Chinese spacecraft carrying three Chinese astronauts, including the first-ever female, docks manually with orbiting module Tiangong-1, making this the third country, after the United States and Russia, successfully to perform the mission.Barbosa Rui China's Shenzhou-9 successfully docks with Tiangong-1 http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2012/06/chinas-shenzhou-9-successfully-docks-with-tiangong-1/ NASASpaceflight.com June 18, 2012 April 29, 2015 China's Shenzhou-9 successfully docks with Tiangong-1 August 12, 2018 https://web.archive.org/web/20180812054211/https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2012/06/chinas-shenzhou-9-successfully-docks-with-tiangong-1/ live June 21 – The Congress of Paraguay approves the impeachment of president Fernando Lugo. He is removed from power the next day, and Vice President Federico Franco becomes the new president. June 24 – Lonesome George, the last known individual of the Pinta Island tortoise subspecies, dies in Galápagos National Park, thus making the subspecies extinct.Famed Galapagos tortoise dies https://www.usatoday.com/tech/science/environment/story/2012-06-24/tortiose-species-extinct/55798794/1 USA Today June 24, 2012 August 23, 2017 July 6, 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120706133544/http://www.usatoday.com/tech/science/environment/story/2012-06-24/tortiose-species-extinct/55798794/1 dead June 30 Mohamed Morsi, a member of the Muslim Brotherhood, is elected 5th President of Egypt, the first elected democratically by the Egyptian people, sparking mixed reactions and protests throughout the country.https://www.nytimes.com/2012/06/25/world/middleeast/mohamed-morsi-of-muslim-brotherhood-declared-as-egypts-president.html Mohamed Morsi of Muslim Brotherhood Declared as Egypt's President The New York Times June 24, 2012 July 31, 2018 Kirkpatrick David D. December 15, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20211215182708/https://www.nytimes.com/2012/06/25/world/middleeast/mohamed-morsi-of-muslim-brotherhood-declared-as-egypts-president.html live An extra leap second (23:59:60) is added to end of June. The last time this occurred was in 2008.https://www.wired.com/2012/07/leap-second-glitch-explained/ The Inside Story of the Extra Second That Crashed the Web McMillan Robert Metz Cade July 2, 2012 Wired November 25, 2025 July July 1 – The final match of the UEFA Euro 2012 takes place in Kyiv between Spain and Italy. Spain wins 4–0, achieving victorious from the third international tournament in a row, after winning UEFA Euro 2008 and the 2010 FIFA World Cup. July 4 CERN announces the discovery of a new particle with properties consistent with the Higgs boson after experiments at the Large Hadron Collider.http://press.cern/press-releases/2012/07/cern-experiments-observe-particle-consistent-long-sought-higgs-boson CERN experiments observe particle consistent with long-sought Higgs boson CERN July 4, 2012 November 20, 2016 November 21, 2017 https://web.archive.org/web/20171121031500/http://press.cern/press-releases/2012/07/cern-experiments-observe-particle-consistent-long-sought-higgs-boson live http://cms.web.cern.ch/news/observation-new-particle-mass-125-gev Observation of a New Particle with a Mass of 125 GeV Lucas Taylor July 4, 2012 CMS Public Website CERN July 8, 2012 July 5, 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120705040217/http://cms.web.cern.ch/news/observation-new-particle-mass-125-gev live Latest Results from ATLAS Higgs Search ATLAS http://www.atlas.ch/news/2012/latest-results-from-higgs-search.html July 4, 2012 July 4, 2012 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20120707132113/http://www.atlas.ch/news/2012/latest-results-from-higgs-search.html July 7, 2012 Video (04:38) https://web.archive.org/web/20211215183624/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vXZ-yzwlwMw December 15, 2021  – CERN Announcement (4 July 2012) Of Higgs Boson Discovery.Overbye Dennis A New Particle Could Be Physics' Holy Grail https://www.nytimes.com/2012/07/05/science/cern-physicists-may-have-discovered-higgs-boson-particle.html July 4, 2012 The New York Times July 4, 2012 July 4, 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120704202256/http://www.nytimes.com/2012/07/05/science/cern-physicists-may-have-discovered-higgs-boson-particle.html live Sport Club Corinthians Paulista wins the Copa Libertadores by beating the Boca Juniors. July 15 – South Korean rapper Psy releases his hit single Gangnam Style.Star2.com Remember when Psy released 'Gangnam Style' & started a global craze? https://www.thestar.com.my/lifestyle/entertainment/2018/07/25/flashback-psy-gangnam-style 2021-07-27 The Star 25 July 2018 en July 20 – 2012 Aurora theater shooting: 12 people are killed and 58 are injured in a mass shooting at a movie theater in Aurora, Colorado. The shooter, James Holmes, opens fire on a crowd during a screening of The Dark Knight Rises.http://gma.yahoo.com/colorado-batman-movie-shooting-suspect-phd-student-085940589--abc-news-topstories.html Colorado Movie Theater Shooting: 70 Victims The Largest Mass Shooting Yahoo! Gma.yahoo.com 2012-07-20 2012-08-18 July 21, 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120721004136/http://gma.yahoo.com/colorado-batman-movie-shooting-suspect-phd-student-085940589--abc-news-topstories.html dead July 21 – Turkish adventurer Erden Eruç becomes the first person in history to complete a solo human-powered circumnavigation of the Earth. July 23 – The Solar storm of 2012 is an unusually large coronal mass ejection emitted by the Sun which barely misses the Earth by nine days. If it had hit, it would have caused up to US$2.6 trillion in damages to electrical equipment worldwide.Phillips Tony Near Miss: The Solar Superstorm of July 2012 https://science.nasa.gov/science-news/science-at-nasa/2014/23jul_superstorm/ 6 September 2020 NASA Science@NASA 23 July 2014 July 25, 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20140725000533/https://science.nasa.gov/science-news/science-at-nasa/2014/23jul_superstorm/ live July 27–August 12 – The 2012 Summer Olympics are held in London, England, United Kingdom.http://www.london2012.com/ London 2012 January 23, 2012 dead http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20130228114959/http://www.london2012.com/ February 28, 2013 July 30–31 – In the worst power outage in world history, the 2012 India blackouts leave 620 million people without power.https://www.theguardian.com/world/2012/jul/31/india-blackout-electricity-power-cuts India blackouts leave 700 million without power July 31, 2012 Helen Pidd July 31, 2012 The Guardian London June 5, 2013 https://web.archive.org/web/20130605230637/http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/jul/31/india-blackout-electricity-power-cuts livehttps://www.usatoday.com/news/world/story/2012-07-31/india-power-outage/56600520/1 Hriday Sarma and Ruby Russell 620 million without power in India after 3 power grids fail July 31, 2012 July 31, 2012 USA Today March 4, 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160304055256/http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/story/2012-07-31/india-power-outage/56600520/1 liveIndia's Mass Power Failure Worst Ever in World History http://news.outlookindia.com/items.aspx?artid=770631 Outlook Press Trust of India August 1, 2012 August 1, 2012 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20120801052804/http://news.outlookindia.com/items.aspx?artid=770631 August 1, 2012 August August 1 – Microsoft finishes development of Windows 8, with general availability announced for October 26.Warren Tom 2012-08-01 Microsoft completes Windows 8 development, announces release to manufacturing https://www.theverge.com/2012/8/1/3188541/windows-8-rtm-development-complete 2023-12-22 The Verge en August 6 – Curiosity, the Mars Science Laboratory mission's rover, successfully lands on Mars.http://www.space.com/13501-nasa-mars-rover-curiosity-atlas5-rocket.html NASA's Next Mars Rover Hoisted Atop Rocket November 4, 2011 Space.com 2011-11-04 November 6, 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20111106200548/http://www.space.com/13501-nasa-mars-rover-curiosity-atlas5-rocket.html live August 25 – The Voyager 1 space probe becomes the first human-made object to successfully exit the Solar System and enter Interstellar space, and to an extent, becoming the first Interstellar probe, pioneering Interstellar exploration. August 31 – Armenia severs diplomatic relations with Hungary, following the extradition to Azerbaijan and subsequent pardoning of Ramil Safarov, who was convicted of killing an Armenian soldier in Hungary in 2004. The move is also met with fierce criticism from other countries.Gorondi Pablo https://montrealgazette.com/life/Azerbaijani+military+officer+serving+life+murder+Hungary+freed+when/7173300/story.html Azerbaijani military officer serving life for murder in Hungary is freed when sent home Montreal Gazette 2012-08-31 2012-11-29 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20121111220948/http://www.montrealgazette.com/life/Azerbaijani%2Bmilitary%2Bofficer%2Bserving%2Blife%2Bmurder%2BHungary%2Bfreed%2Bwhen/7173300/story.html November 11, 2012 September September 4 – Windows 7 overtakes Windows XP in market share globally.http://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2012/09/chrome-growth-picks-up-as-windows-7-becomes-the-worlds-most-used-os/ Chrome growth picks up; Windows 7 becomes the world's most used OS Ars Technica 2012-09-04 2024-09-02 2012-09-06 https://web.archive.org/web/20120906194258/http://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2012/09/chrome-growth-picks-up-as-windows-7-becomes-the-worlds-most-used-os/ live September 7 – Canada officially cuts diplomatic ties with Iran by closing its embassy in Tehran, and orders the expulsion of Iranian diplomats from Ottawa, over support for Syria, nuclear plans and human rights abuses.https://www.theguardian.com/world/2012/sep/07/canada-cuts-diplomatic-ties-iran Canada cuts diplomatic ties with Iran The Guardian 2012-09-07 2012-09-08 London April 9, 2017 https://web.archive.org/web/20170409022214/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2012/sep/07/canada-cuts-diplomatic-ties-iran live September 11–27 – A series of terrorist attacks are directed against United States diplomatic missions worldwide, as well as diplomatic missions of Germany, Switzerland and the United Kingdom. In the US, opinions are divided over whether the attacks are a reaction to a YouTube trailer for the film Innocence of Muslims. In Libya, US ambassador J. Christopher Stevens is among those killed during attacks in Benghazi.https://www.npr.org/2012/09/20/161450341/official-versions-diverge-over-u-s-consulate-attack U.S., Libyan Versions Of Consulate Attack Diverge NPR 2012-09-20 2012-11-29 September 21, 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120921082750/https://www.npr.org/2012/09/20/161450341/official-versions-diverge-over-u-s-consulate-attack live 2012-10-12 https://www.baltimoresun.com/2012/10/12/there-was-nothing-spontaneous-about-the-attack-on-our-consulate/ Consulate attack in Libya Baltimore Sun 2012-11-29 December 4, 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20121204170801/http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/opinion/readersrespond/bs-ed-embassy-attack-20121012,0,5150938.story livehttps://www.nytimes.com/2012/09/14/world/middleeast/mideast-turmoil-spreads-to-us-embassy-in-yemen.html?pagewanted=all Turmoil Over Contentious Video Spreads to Yemen and Iran The New York Times 2012-09-13 2012-09-13 Nasser Arrabyee Alan Cowell Rick Gladstone February 7, 2017 https://web.archive.org/web/20170207172612/http://www.nytimes.com/2012/09/14/world/middleeast/mideast-turmoil-spreads-to-us-embassy-in-yemen.html?pagewanted=all live https://www.cbsnews.com/news/widespread-protests-against-us-over-anti-muslim-film/ Widespread protests against U.S. over anti-Muslim film CBS News 2012-09-14 2012-09-14 September 14, 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120914235010/http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-202_162-57512841/widespread-protests-against-u.s-over-anti-muslim-film/ live https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/9543241/US-embassy-in-Yemen-stormed-live.html https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/9543241/US-embassy-in-Yemen-stormed-live.html January 12, 2022 subscription live Middle East protests against US embassies - live The Telegraph 2012-09-14 2012-09-14 London Raf Sanchez September 22 – The United Kingdom informs the World Health Organization about a novel coronavirus case originating from Saudi Arabia.Novel coronavirus infection in the United Kingdom https://www.who.int/csr/don/2012_09_23/en/ https://web.archive.org/web/20121002054153/http://www.who.int/csr/don/2012_09_23/en/ dead October 2, 2012 World Health Organization 30 December 2020 23 September 2012 October October 3 – Jimmy Savile sexual abuse scandal: Mark Williams-Thomas presents the ITV documentary which exposes Jimmy Savile as a paedophile. The revelations of Savile's prolific sexual abuse crimes results in widespread shock and disgust across the United Kingdom, resulting in a national scandal, a police investigation into Savile's crimes, and all television episodes featuring him being removed from syndication.Halliday Josh Mark Williams-Thomas: I ran the Savile film like a criminal investigation 24 February 2013 The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/media/2013/feb/24/mark-williams-thomas-jimmy-savile 20 November 2013 October 4 – Racing legend Michael Schumacher announced his retirement from Formula One during the Japanese Grand Prix.Sports.info https://sports.info/ sports.info 2025-12-02 en October 14 – Austrian skydiver Felix Baumgartner becomes the first person to break the sound barrier without any machine assistance, during a record space dive out of the Red Bull Stratos helium-filled balloon from 128,000 ft (24 mi km) over Roswell, New Mexico in the United States.(CNN) https://web.archive.org/web/20210420150002/https://www.cnn.com/2012/10/14/us/skydiver-record-attempt/index.html?hpt=hp_t1 April 20, 2021 . Retrieved October 14, 2012.NYDaily News:Red Bull Stratos https://web.archive.org/web/20121018071420/http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/felix-baumgartner-feel-broke-sound-barrier-article-1.1183735 October 18, 2012 Retrieved October 15, 2012.http://www.newsday.com/news/nation/felix-baumgartner-s-jump-from-space-s-edge-watched-by-millions-1.4115479 Felix Baumgartner's jump from space's edge watched by millions Associated Press October 15, 2012 October 15, 2012 October 18, 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20121018071353/http://www.newsday.com/news/nation/felix-baumgartner-s-jump-from-space-s-edge-watched-by-millions-1.4115479 dead October 16 – Seven paintings worth $25 million are stolen from the Kunsthal in Rotterdam, the Netherlands.Kreijger Gilbert Dutch art heist nets works by Monet, Picasso, Matisse https://www.reuters.com/article/entertainment-us-crime-dutch-paintings-idUSBRE89F0OX20121016 Reuters October 16, 2012 July 5, 2021 December 15, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20211215184731/https://www.reuters.com/article/entertainment-us-crime-dutch-paintings-idUSBRE89F0OX20121016 liveMonet and Picasso among works stolen from Dutch museum. https://web.archive.org/web/20211215184739/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-19959224 December 15, 2021 BBC News. October 16, 2012October 16, 2012 Thieves grab Picasso, Monets from Dutch museum in early-hours heist http://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/museums/several-valuable-paintings-stolen-in-heist-from-dutch-exhibition-featuring-picasso-matisse/2012/10/16/50120994-1764-11e2-a346-f24efc680b8d_story.html dead https://web.archive.org/web/20121017081147/http://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/museums/several-valuable-paintings-stolen-in-heist-from-dutch-exhibition-featuring-picasso-matisse/2012/10/16/50120994-1764-11e2-a346-f24efc680b8d_story.html 2012-10-17 The Washington Post Associated PressStolen Paintings Include Picasso And Freud. Sky News. October 16, 2012. October 22 – November 2 – Hurricane Sandy, the largest Atlantic hurricane on record (as measured by diameter, with tropical-storm-force winds spanning 900 miles (1,400 km)), wreaks havoc, resulting in 233 total deaths and $68.7 billion (2012 USD) damage.https://weather.com/storms/hurricane/news/superstorm-sandy-anniversary-20141029 Superstorm Sandy Anniversary: Remembering Hurricane Sandy Two Years Later The Weather Channel March 1, 2020 November 20, 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20141120010651/https://weather.com/storms/hurricane/news/superstorm-sandy-anniversary-20141029 live October 25 – North Kalimantan is established as the 34th province of Indonesia. October 26 – Microsoft releases Windows 8 to the general public.Ingraham Nathan 2012-07-18 Windows 8 will be available on October 26th https://www.theverge.com/microsoft/2012/7/18/3167951/windows-8-launch-date-october-26th 2023-12-22 The Verge en October 28 – Jorge Lorenzo becomes the World Champion of the 2012 Grand Prix motorcycle racing season. November November 6 – 2012 United States presidential election: Barack Obama is reelected President of the United States, defeating his Republican challenger Mitt Romney. November 13 Activision releases Call of Duty: Black Ops II.Ivan Tom Black Ops 2 site goes live, confirms release date, '21st Century Cold War' setting http://www.computerandvideogames.com/345943/black-ops-2-site-goes-live-confirms-release-date-21st-century-cold-war-setting/ Computerandvideogames.com May 1, 2012 May 1, 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120503034341/http://www.computerandvideogames.com/345943/black-ops-2-site-goes-live-confirms-release-date-21st-century-cold-war-setting/ May 3, 2012 live A total solar eclipse occurs in parts of Australia and the South Pacific. It is the 45th of 72 solar eclipses of Solar Saros 133. November 14–21 – Israel launches Operation Pillar of Defense against the Palestinian-governed Gaza Strip, killing Hamas military chief Ahmed Jabari. In the following week 140 Palestinians and five Israelis are killed in an ensuing cycle of violence. A ceasefire between Israel and Hamas is announced by Egyptian Foreign Minister Mohamed Kamel Amr and US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton after the week-long escalation in hostilities in Southern Israel and the Gaza Strip.http://www.aljazeera.com/news/middleeast/2012/11/20121114142116909809.html Hamas military chief killed in Israeli attack Al Jazeera English November 14, 2012 November 15, 2012 November 14, 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20121114163948/http://www.aljazeera.com/news/middleeast/2012/11/20121114142116909809.html liveHamas remain defiant as Israeli strikes hit Gaza http://www.euronews.com/2012/11/15/hamas-remain-defiant-as-israeli-strikes-hit-gaza/ November 15, 2012 Euronews November 15, 2012 October 31, 2020 https://web.archive.org/web/20201031193034/https://www.euronews.com/2012/11/15/hamas-remain-defiant-as-israeli-strikes-hit-gaza deadUSA Today News https://web.archive.org/web/20211215185526/https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2012/11/21/greater-role-for-egypt-in-hamas-israel-ceasefire/1720099/ December 15, 2021 Report on Conflict Treaty. Retrieved November 23, 2012.The New York Times https://web.archive.org/web/20211215185526/https://www.nytimes.com/2012/11/22/opinion/a-new-israel-hamas-cease-fire.html December 15, 2021 Report on Conflict Treaty. Retrieved November 23, 2012.CNN Report https://web.archive.org/web/20201114211418/http://www.cnn.com/2012/11/21/world/meast/gaza-israel-strike/index.html?hpt=wo_c1 November 14, 2020 Report on Conflict Treaty. Retrieved November 23, 2012. November 15 – After the 18th National Congress of the Chinese Communist Party, Xi Jinping succeeds Hu Jintao as the General Secretary of the Chinese Communist Party and becomes the top leader of China.Wong Edward Edward Wong 14 November 2012 Ending Congress, China Presents New Leadership Headed by Xi Jinping The New York Times https://www.nytimes.com/2012/11/15/world/asia/communists-conclude-party-congress-in-china.html?ref=asia&_r=0 live limited 16 November 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20121208103006/http://www.nytimes.com/2012/11/15/world/asia/communists-conclude-party-congress-in-china.html?ref=asia&_r=0 8 December 2012FlorCruz Jaime A Mullen Jethro 16 November 2012 After months of mystery, China unveils new top leaders CNN https://edition.cnn.com/2012/11/14/world/asia/china-leadership-transition/index.html live 16 November 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20121115195006/http://edition.cnn.com/2012/11/14/world/asia/china-leadership-transition/index.html 15 November 2012 November 25–December 9 – Typhoon Bopha, known as "Pablo" in the Philippines, kills at least 1,067 with around 838 people missing. The typhoon causes considerable damage in the island of Mindanao.Philippine typhoon toll continues to climb http://www.aljazeera.com/news/asia-pacific/2012/12/201212102229486150.html Al Jazeera December 10, 2012 December 11, 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20121211090549/http://www.aljazeera.com/news/asia-pacific/2012/12/201212102229486150.html livePhilippines, leftist rebels declare truces in disaster areas https://www.reuters.com/article/us-philippines-typhoon-idUSBRE8B903R20121210 Reuters December 10, 2012 December 10, 2012 March 4, 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160304143212/http://www.reuters.com/article/us-philippines-typhoon-idUSBRE8B903R20121210 live'Pablo:' 890 missing, 714 dead - NDRRMC https://www.rappler.com/philippines/17720-pablo-toll-reaches-714/ Rappler December 11, 2012 December 11, 2012 December 11, 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20121211062347/http://www.rappler.com/nation/17720-pablo-toll-reaches-714 live November 29 – The UN General Assembly approves a motion granting Palestine non-member observer state status.Vick Karl https://world.time.com/2012/11/29/why-palestine-will-win-big-at-the-un/ Why Palestine Will Win Big at the UN Time November 22, 2012 November 29, 2012 April 28, 2019 https://web.archive.org/web/20190428154618/http://world.time.com/2012/11/29/why-palestine-will-win-big-at-the-un/ live December December 4-6 – Egyptian protestors protest outside the presidential palace against the 2012 constitutional declaration which gave President Morsi influence over the judiciary and turns violent when Morsi supporters clashed with anti-Morsi protestors. It led to the intervention of security forces. The incident caused the deaths of at least 10, including anti-Morsi protestors and supporters of Morsi as well as hundreds of injuries.https://www.theguardian.com/world/2012/dec/05/morsi-supporters-protest-presidential-palace-cairo Morsi supporters protest outside presidential palace in Cairo Harriet Sherwood The Guardian 5 December 2012 17 April 2025 December 6 – The U.S. state of Washington becomes the first jurisdiction in the modern world to officially legalize the possession of cannabis for personal use.https://www.reuters.com/article/uk-usa-marijuana-washington-idUSLNE8B502120121206 Marijuana goes legal in Washington state Laura L. Myers Reuters December 6, 2012 www.reuters.com February 24, 2021 December 16, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20211216211326/https://www.reuters.com/article/uk-usa-marijuana-washington-idUSLNE8B502120121206 live December 6–16 – The 2012 FIFA Club World Cup is held in Japan and won by Sport Club Corinthians Paulista. December 8 – The UN Climate Change Conference in Qatar agrees to extend the Kyoto Protocol until 2020.Harrabin Roger December 8, 2012 Climate talks: UN forum extends Kyoto Protocol to 2020 https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-20653018 live https://web.archive.org/web/20180716140524/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-20653018 July 16, 2018 June 22, 2018 BBC News December 10 – The Séléka overthrows the government of the Central African Republic which leads to the outbreak of a Civil war. December 12 North Korea successfully launches satellite Kwangmyongsong-3 Unit 2.http://www.korean-books.com.kp/KBMbooks/en/book/common/11015.pdf https://web.archive.org/web/20211213211312/http://www.korean-books.com.kp/KBMbooks/en/book/common/11015.pdf dead Archived book December 13, 2021 December 12 would be the last time in the 21st century that the month, day and final two digits of the year are the exact same (12/12/12). The next time this will happen will be on New Year's Day in 2101 (01/01/01). December 14 – Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting: Adam Lanza kills his mother before driving to Sandy Hook Elementary School, shooting dead twenty students and six teachers before killing himself in Newtown, Connecticut. It becomes the deadliest school shooting at a K-12 school in U.S. history. December 16 – The 2012 Delhi gang rape and murder, otherwise known as the Nirbhaya case, occurred on the night of December 16, 2012. The case involved the fatal assault of a 22-year-old physiotherapy intern by a group of six men in a moving bus. December 17 – Spanish bank Grupo Santander announces the acquisition of the remaining 10% of Banesto it did not yet own, effectively absorbing it into Banco Santander.Santander absorbs Banesto and Banif and shuts branches https://www.bbc.com/news/business-20754294 BBC 17 November 2020 17 December 2012 August 31, 2020 https://web.archive.org/web/20200831040401/https://www.bbc.com/news/business-20754294 live December 18 – At least 55 people drown after an overcrowded boat capsizes off the coast of Somalia.https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2012/12/21/dozens-of-migrants-dead-or-lost-off-somalia Dozens of migrants dead or lost off Somalia www.aljazeera.com October 9, 2020 September 27, 2020 https://web.archive.org/web/20200927095903/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2012/12/21/dozens-of-migrants-dead-or-lost-off-somalia/ live December 21 The music video for Psy's "Gangnam Style" becomes the first YouTube video to reach a billion views.Gruger William December 21, 2012 PSY's 'Gangnam Style' Video Hits 1 Billion Views, Unprecedented Milestone https://www.billboard.com/biz/articles/news/1483733/psys-gangnam-style-video-hits-1-billion-views-unprecedented-milestone live https://web.archive.org/web/20240416020233/https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/psys-gangnam-style-video-hits-1-billion-views-unprecedented-milestone-1483733/ April 16, 2024 January 13, 2026 Billboard 2012 phenomenon: End of 13th b'ak'tun in the Mayan calendar, supposed end of the world according to new age beliefs. Festivities took place to commemorate the event in the countries that were part of the Maya civilization (Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador), with main events at Chichén Itzá in Mexico and Tikal in Guatemala.21 December 2012 Miles llegan a Chichén Itzá con la esperanza de una nueva era mejor es Thousands arrive to Chichén Itzá with the hope of a new better era La Nación (Costa Rica) Agence France-Presse http://www.nacion.com/2012-12-21/AldeaGlobal/miles-llegan-a-chichen-itza-con-la-esperanza-de-una-nueva-era-mejor.aspx dead 22 December 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20121221202223/http://www.nacion.com/2012-12-21/AldeaGlobal/miles-llegan-a-chichen-itza-con-la-esperanza-de-una-nueva-era-mejor.aspx 21 December 2012Randal C. Archibold 21 December 2012 As Doomsday Flops, Rites in Ruins of Mayan Empire The New York Times https://www.nytimes.com/2012/12/22/world/americas/doomsday-fizzles-but-many-hail-a-new-era.html 22 December 2012 December 22, 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20121222013244/http://www.nytimes.com/2012/12/22/world/americas/doomsday-fizzles-but-many-hail-a-new-era.html live Mark Stephenson 21 December 2012 End Of The World 2012? Not Just Yet Huffington Post https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/12/21/end-of-the-world-2012_n_2344389.html 22 December 2012 December 21, 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20121221192604/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/12/21/end-of-the-world-2012_n_2344389.html live December 28 – Japanese supercentarian Jiroemon Kimura surpasses the final age of Danish-American supercentarian Christian Mortensen of 115 years, 252 days and becomes the oldest validated man in recorded history.JAPAN'S JIROEMON KIMURA CONFIRMED AS OLDEST MAN WHO EVER LIVED AT 115 YEARS, 253 DAYS https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/news/2012/12/japans-jiroemon-kimura-confirmed-as-oldest-living-person-at-115-years-253-days-46484 https://web.archive.org/web/20250426075504/https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/news/2012/12/japans-jiroemon-kimura-confirmed-as-oldest-living-person-at-115-years-253-days-46484 April 26, 2025 2025-05-23 Guinness World Records en-GB live Births and deaths Category:2012 births Deaths in 2012 Nobel Prizes right|120px Chemistry – Robert Lefkowitz and Brian Kobilka, for studies of G-protein-coupled receptors. Economics – Alvin E. Roth and Lloyd Shapley, for the theory of stable allocations and the practice of market design. Literature – Mo Yan, who with hallucinatory realism merges folk tales, history and the contemporary. Peace – European Union, for over six decades contributed to the advancement of peace and reconciliation, democracy and human rights in Europe. Physics – Serge Haroche and David J. Wineland, for ground-breaking experimental methods that enable measuring and manipulation of individual quantum systems. Physiology or Medicine – John B. Gurdon and Shinya Yamanaka, for the discovery that mature cells can be reprogrammed to become pluripotent. New English words hot takeReeve Elspeth Elspeth Reeve April 12, 2015 A History of the Hot Take https://newrepublic.com/article/121501/history-hot-take live https://web.archive.org/web/20150413075215/https://newrepublic.com/article/121501/history-hot-take April 13, 2015 September 5, 2026 The New Republic 0028-6583 escape room See also 2012 phenomenon 2010s References Category:2012 Category:Leap years in the Gregorian calendar