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February 12

February 12 is the 43rd day of the year in the , with 322 days remaining until the end of the year or 323 days in a . This date marks the shared birthday of , the 16th President of the United States who led the nation through the and issued the , and , the English naturalist whose theory of evolution by natural selection fundamentally shaped modern biology, both born in 1809. The day features several pivotal historical events, including the founding of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People () in in 1909 to combat racial discrimination and violence against , and the abdication of as of in 1912, ending over two millennia of imperial rule and paving the way for the of . Other notable occurrences encompass the execution of , England's Nine Days' Queen, in 1554 following a failed claim to the , and the establishment of the colony of by in 1733 as a buffer against and a haven for debtors. In contemporary observances, February 12 is recognized internationally as to honor scientific advancement and, in certain U.S. states, as a holiday for Lincoln's birth, underscoring themes of preservation, leadership, and empirical inquiry.

Events

Pre-1600

In 1128, , the Turkic who ruled from 1104 and founded the , died at age approximately 60 after consolidating power against Seljuk rivals and resisting advances, including aiding in the relief of the Siege of Antioch in 1098. On February 12, 1242, Henry (VII), from 1220 to 1235 and son of Frederick II, died at age 31 in Martirano, , while imprisoned following his rebellion against his father; contemporary accounts suggest he fell from a horse or committed amid captivity imposed after his deposition for disloyalty. His brief reign involved early administrative roles in and , but his failed uprising weakened authority in imperial elections and contributed to ongoing factional strife within the . Lady Jane Grey, proclaimed Queen of England on July 10, 1553, following the death of , was executed by beheading on February 12, 1554, at age 16 or 17 in the , alongside her husband Guildford Dudley, after Mary I's successful claim to the throne; convicted of treason for her nine-day tenure as a Protestant figurehead installed by Northumberland's faction. Her deposition and death exemplified the succession crises driven by religious divisions, with her scholarly Protestant leanings and coerced role underscoring the precariousness of noble influence under monarchical absolutism.

1601–1900

Aleksei Shein (c. 1652–1700), a Russian general and statesman under Tsar the Great, died on February 12, 1700, likely from illness following military campaigns. Shein played a crucial role in suppressing the of 1698, which involved the execution of over 1,000 rebels and facilitated 's centralization of power, enabling reforms that transformed from a fragmented into a empire through military modernization and territorial expansion. His actions contributed causally to the suppression of internal dissent, allowing to pursue policies that empirically increased 's administrative efficiency and military capacity, though at the cost of significant bloodshed. Ethan Allen (1738–1789), American frontiersman and military leader, died of a stroke on February 12, 1789, at his homestead. As founder of the , Allen led the on May 10, 1775, securing critical artillery that aided the Siege of and demonstrated the effectiveness of irregular frontier tactics against British forces. His advocacy for 's independence shaped early American border disputes, influencing the region's integration into the via the 1791 statehood admission, with his legacy rooted in pragmatic resistance rather than ideological abstraction. Lazzaro Spallanzani (1729–1799), Italian Catholic priest and biologist, died on February 12, 1799, from complications of a leg injury. Through experiments boiling broths in sealed flasks, Spallanzani empirically refuted abiogenesis by showing microbes arise from prior life, advancing causal understanding of reproduction and digestion via studies on animal semen and gastric juices that laid groundwork for pasteurization and germ theory. His rigorous methodology prioritized observation over speculation, countering vitalist claims and influencing subsequent scientific realism in biology. Immanuel Kant (1724–1804), German philosopher, died on February 12, 1804, at age 79 from natural causes in . Kant's (1781) argued for synthetic a priori knowledge, distinguishing phenomena from noumena and shaping by resolving empiricism-rationalism tensions, though his has been critiqued for underemphasizing empirical causality in favor of subjective structures. His ethical framework in Groundwork of the Metaphysics of Morals (1785) posited the , influencing deontological thought, but its universalism overlooked practical cultural variances evident in historical statecraft. Stanisław II Augustus Poniatowski (1732–1798), the last king of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, died of a on February 12, 1798, in . Elected in 1764 amid influence, his reign saw failed reforms like the 1791 Constitution, undermined by internal divisions and partitions by , , and (1772, 1793, 1795), which empirically erased the Commonwealth due to weak central authority and noble privileges like the . Poniatowski's patronage of arts and ideas yielded cultural gains, but his inability to consolidate power highlighted causal primacy of institutional strength over intellectual pursuits in preserving . Thomas L. Jennings (1791–1856), American tailor and inventor, died on February 12, 1856. Jennings received U.S. Patent No. 3306 on March 3, 1821, for "dry scouring" (dry cleaning), becoming the first African American granted a patent, which involved solvents to restore fabrics without water, addressing practical needs in urban laundering. As an abolitionist, he litigated for Black rights, including desegregating New York streetcars in 1850, demonstrating individual agency in pre-Civil War economic and social advancements amid systemic barriers.

1901–present

Births

Pre-1600

In 1128, , the Turkic who ruled from 1104 and founded the , died at age approximately 60 after consolidating power against Seljuk rivals and resisting Crusader advances, including aiding in the relief of the Siege of Antioch in 1098. On February 12, 1242, , from 1220 to 1235 and son of Frederick II, died at age 31 in Martirano, , while imprisoned following his rebellion against his father; contemporary accounts suggest he fell from a or committed suicide amid captivity imposed after his deposition for disloyalty. His brief reign involved early administrative roles in and , but his failed uprising weakened authority in imperial elections and contributed to ongoing factional strife within the . Lady Jane Grey, proclaimed Queen of England on July 10, 1553, following the death of , was executed by beheading on February 12, 1554, at age 16 or 17 in the , alongside her husband Guildford Dudley, after Mary I's successful claim to the throne; convicted of treason for her nine-day tenure as a Protestant figurehead installed by Northumberland's faction. Her deposition and death exemplified the succession crises driven by religious divisions, with her scholarly Protestant leanings and coerced role underscoring the precariousness of noble influence under monarchical absolutism.

1601–1900

Aleksei Shein (c. 1652–1700), a Russian general and statesman under Tsar the Great, died on February 12, 1700, likely from illness following military campaigns. Shein played a crucial role in suppressing the of 1698, which involved the execution of over 1,000 rebels and facilitated 's centralization of power, enabling reforms that transformed from a fragmented into a empire through military modernization and territorial expansion. His actions contributed causally to the suppression of internal dissent, allowing to pursue policies that empirically increased 's administrative efficiency and military capacity, though at the cost of significant bloodshed. Ethan Allen (1738–1789), American frontiersman and military leader, died of a stroke on February 12, 1789, at his homestead. As founder of the , Allen led the on May 10, 1775, securing critical artillery that aided the Siege of and demonstrated the effectiveness of irregular frontier tactics against British forces. His advocacy for 's independence shaped early American border disputes, influencing the region's integration into the via the 1791 statehood admission, with his legacy rooted in pragmatic resistance rather than ideological abstraction. Lazzaro Spallanzani (1729–1799), Italian Catholic priest and biologist, died on February 12, 1799, from complications of a leg injury. Through experiments boiling broths in sealed flasks, Spallanzani empirically refuted abiogenesis by showing microbes arise from prior life, advancing causal understanding of reproduction and digestion via studies on animal semen and gastric juices that laid groundwork for pasteurization and germ theory. His rigorous methodology prioritized observation over speculation, countering vitalist claims and influencing subsequent scientific realism in biology. Immanuel Kant (1724–1804), German philosopher, died on February 12, 1804, at age 79 from natural causes in . Kant's (1781) argued for synthetic a priori knowledge, distinguishing phenomena from noumena and shaping by resolving empiricism-rationalism tensions, though his has been critiqued for underemphasizing empirical causality in favor of subjective structures. His ethical framework in Groundwork of the Metaphysics of Morals (1785) posited the , influencing deontological thought, but its universalism overlooked practical cultural variances evident in historical statecraft. Stanisław II Augustus Poniatowski (1732–1798), the last king of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, died of a on February 12, 1798, in . Elected in 1764 amid influence, his reign saw failed reforms like the 1791 Constitution, undermined by internal divisions and partitions by , , and (1772, 1793, 1795), which empirically erased the Commonwealth due to weak central authority and noble privileges like the . Poniatowski's patronage of arts and ideas yielded cultural gains, but his inability to consolidate power highlighted causal primacy of institutional strength over intellectual pursuits in preserving . Thomas L. Jennings (1791–1856), American tailor and inventor, died on February 12, 1856. Jennings received U.S. Patent No. 3306 on March 3, 1821, for "dry scouring" (dry cleaning), becoming the first African American granted a patent, which involved solvents to restore fabrics without water, addressing practical needs in urban laundering. As an abolitionist, he litigated for Black rights, including desegregating New York streetcars in 1850, demonstrating individual agency in pre-Civil War economic and social advancements amid systemic barriers.

1901–present

Deaths

Pre-1600

In 1128, , the Turkic who ruled from 1104 and founded the , died at age approximately 60 after consolidating power against Seljuk rivals and resisting Crusader advances, including aiding in the relief of the Siege of Antioch in 1098. On February 12, 1242, Henry (VII), from 1220 to 1235 and son of Frederick II, died at age 31 in Martirano, , while imprisoned following his rebellion against his father; contemporary accounts suggest he fell from a or committed suicide amid captivity imposed after his deposition for disloyalty. His brief reign involved early administrative roles in and , but his failed uprising weakened authority in imperial elections and contributed to ongoing factional strife within the . Lady Jane Grey, proclaimed Queen of England on July 10, 1553, following the death of , was executed by beheading on February 12, 1554, at age 16 or 17 in the , alongside her husband Guildford Dudley, after Mary I's successful claim to the throne; convicted of treason for her nine-day tenure as a Protestant figurehead installed by Northumberland's faction. Her deposition and death exemplified the succession crises driven by religious divisions, with her scholarly Protestant leanings and coerced role underscoring the precariousness of noble influence under monarchical absolutism.

1601–1900

Aleksei Shein (c. 1652–1700), a Russian general and statesman under Tsar Peter the Great, died on February 12, 1700, likely from illness following military campaigns. Shein played a crucial role in suppressing the of 1698, which involved the execution of over 1,000 rebels and facilitated 's centralization of power, enabling reforms that transformed from a fragmented into a empire through military modernization and territorial expansion. His actions contributed causally to the suppression of internal dissent, allowing Peter to pursue policies that empirically increased Russia's administrative efficiency and military capacity, though at the cost of significant bloodshed. Ethan Allen (1738–1789), American frontiersman and military leader, died of a stroke on February 12, 1789, at his homestead. As founder of the , Allen led the on May 10, 1775, securing critical artillery that aided the Siege of and demonstrated the effectiveness of irregular frontier tactics against British forces. His advocacy for 's independence shaped early American border disputes, influencing the region's integration into the via the 1791 statehood admission, with his legacy rooted in pragmatic resistance rather than ideological abstraction. Lazzaro Spallanzani (1729–1799), Italian Catholic priest and biologist, died on February 12, 1799, from complications of a leg injury. Through experiments boiling broths in sealed flasks, Spallanzani empirically refuted abiogenesis by showing microbes arise from prior life, advancing causal understanding of reproduction and digestion via studies on animal semen and gastric juices that laid groundwork for pasteurization and germ theory. His rigorous methodology prioritized observation over speculation, countering vitalist claims and influencing subsequent scientific realism in biology. Immanuel Kant (1724–1804), German philosopher, died on February 12, 1804, at age 79 from natural causes in . Kant's (1781) argued for synthetic a priori knowledge, distinguishing phenomena from noumena and shaping by resolving empiricism-rationalism tensions, though his has been critiqued for underemphasizing empirical causality in favor of subjective structures. His ethical framework in Groundwork of the (1785) posited the , influencing deontological thought, but its universalism overlooked practical cultural variances evident in historical statecraft. Stanisław II Augustus Poniatowski (1732–1798), the last king of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, died of a on February 12, 1798, in . Elected in 1764 amid influence, his reign saw failed reforms like the 1791 Constitution, undermined by internal divisions and partitions by , , and (1772, 1793, 1795), which empirically erased the Commonwealth due to weak central authority and noble privileges like the . Poniatowski's patronage of arts and ideas yielded cultural gains, but his inability to consolidate power highlighted causal primacy of institutional strength over intellectual pursuits in preserving . Thomas L. Jennings (1791–1856), American tailor and inventor, died on February 12, 1856. Jennings received U.S. Patent No. 3306 on March 3, 1821, for "dry scouring" (dry cleaning), becoming the first African American granted a patent, which involved solvents to restore fabrics without water, addressing practical needs in urban laundering. As an abolitionist, he litigated for Black rights, including desegregating New York streetcars in 1850, demonstrating individual agency in pre-Civil War economic and social advancements amid systemic barriers.

1901–present

Holidays and observances

Religious observances

In the Roman Catholic tradition, February 12 marks the feast of , a legendary figure venerated as the patron of travelers, innkeepers, and those facing family tragedies, with his story first attested in medieval emphasizing atonement through hospitality after accidentally killing his parents. The observance also honors Saint Benedict of Aniane (c. 747–821), a monastic reformer who unified Carolingian monasteries under the , dying on February 11 and being buried the following day, which accounts for the dual feast date in some calendars. The day further commemorates the Martyrs of Abitinae, a group of 49 North African Christians executed in 304 under Emperor Diocletian's persecution for defying an edict banning worship by assembling in the village of Abitinae (modern ); their trial occurred on February 12 before Anullinus, during which Saturninus and others proclaimed sine dominico non possumus ("we cannot do without "), underscoring early Christian commitment to eucharistic observance despite imperial prohibition. In the , February 12 (on the corresponding to January 30 Gregorian for some jurisdictions) includes commemorations such as (d. 381), a exiled for defending Nicene orthodoxy against , and other pre-schism Western saints like Julian, reflecting shared patristic veneration without post-schism divergences.

Secular holidays and observances

February 12 marks , an international observance commemorating the birth of in 1809 and honoring his contributions to through empirical observation and theory. Established formally in 1993 by the International Darwin Day Committee, it promotes scientific inquiry and , with events including lectures and exhibits focused on evidence-based advancements in biology rather than symbolic gestures. In the United States, February 12 is in several states, recognizing Abraham Lincoln's birth in 1809 and his leadership in preserving the Union during the through constitutional and military means that prioritized federal integrity over secessionist challenges. This state holiday, observed in places like and , underscores Lincoln's enforcement of legal oaths and wartime measures that maintained national cohesion, distinct from federal consolidations that dilute individual presidential legacies. Georgia Day celebrates the founding of the colony on February 12, 1733, when and settlers established Savannah as a buffer against and a haven for debtors under restrictions prohibiting initially. Proclaimed annually by Georgia governors, it highlights the colony's role in British North American expansion, with events like parades emphasizing historical settlement patterns over modern reinterpretations. The founding of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People () occurred on February 12, 1909, timed to the centennial of Lincoln's birth, as an interracial effort responding to racial violence like the 1908 Springfield riots, aiming to advance civil rights through legal challenges rather than immediate revolutionary change. While effective in landmark litigation, such as , the organization's strategies have evolved amid critiques of institutional biases influencing its priorities. Red Hand Day, or the International Day against the Use of Child Soldiers, is observed globally on February 12 since , using a red hand symbol to advocate and prevention of minors' into armed conflicts, grounded in data showing over 250,000 child soldiers worldwide as of recent estimates. Originating from the Coalition to Stop the Use of Child Soldiers, it targets causal factors like weak state controls and insurgent incentives, urging enforcement of protocols like the 2000 Optional Protocol on child involvement in hostilities, though effectiveness depends on verifiable disarmament metrics over awareness campaigns. Less empirically rooted observances include National Plum Pudding Day, a promotional nod to the British dessert's historical role in seasonal preservation techniques using dried fruits and for caloric density. Similarly, National Lost Penny Day encourages checking pockets for overlooked coins, reflecting minor economic behaviors but lacking broad institutional backing. Day, often listed in commercial calendars, promotes physical affection purportedly for health benefits, yet claims of requiring "seven hugs daily" stem from anecdotal rather than rigorous longitudinal studies. These informal designations, while lighthearted, prioritize novelty over demonstrated causal impacts on or .

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