29 Interesting Facts About March 12: On This Day

ByKim Richmond Hours Updated Categories Time & Calendar

The intriguing collection of facts about March 12 reveals a date that forever changed modern communication when, in 1989, British scientist Tim Berners-Lee submitted his proposal for what would become the World Wide Web.

Beyond this digital revolution, March 12 has witnessed groundbreaking space missions, pivotal moments in American politics, and cultural milestones that continue to resonate through art, music, and literature.

March 12 Facts At-a-Glance

Historical Significance: World Wide Web Proposal (1989)
Famous Birthdays: Liza Minnelli (1946), Jack Kerouac (1922)
Cultural Observances: Girl Scout Day
Notable Event: Mumbai Bombings (1993)
Natural Disaster: “Storm of the Century” Blizzard (1993)
Entertainment Milestone: “The Wizard of Oz” TV Debut (1956)
Numerological Position: 71st day of the year
Zodiac Sign: Pisces

Historical Events and Turning Points

March 12 stands as a crucial date in technological innovation, space exploration, and political development.

  1. On March 12, 1989, Sir Tim Berners-Lee submitted his proposal for a system called “Information Management: A Proposal” that would become the World Wide Web.
  2. On March 12, 1928, the St. Francis Dam in Los Angeles County catastrophically failed, unleashing 12 billion gallons of water that surged through the Santa Clara Valley, claiming approximately 400 lives and becoming one of America’s worst civil engineering disasters of the 20th century.
  3. On March 12, 1930, Mahatma Gandhi began his famous Salt March, a nonviolent protest against British rule in India.
  4. On March 12, 1938, Nazi Germany annexed Austria in what became known as the Anschluss, a critical step toward World War II.
  5. On March 12, 1947, President Harry S. Truman established the Truman Doctrine, pledging American support for democratic nations against authoritarian threats.
  6. On March 12, 1968, Mauritius gained independence from British rule, becoming an independent state within the Commonwealth.
  7. On March 12, 1993, a coordinated series of 12 powerful bomb explosions ripped through strategic locations across Mumbai, including the Stock Exchange, hotels, and crowded marketplaces, killing over 250 people, injuring 1,400 others, and marking one of India’s deadliest terrorist attacks.
  8. On March 12, 1993, several major cities in the eastern U.S. were paralyzed by a historic blizzard later called the “Storm of the Century.”
  9. On March 12, 2009, financier Bernard Madoff pleaded guilty to orchestrating the largest Ponzi scheme in history.

Cultural Impact and Celebrations

The twelfth day of March has witnessed significant cultural developments and organizational beginnings.

  1. On March 12, 1912, Juliette Gordon Low founded the Girl Scouts of America, establishing an organization that would shape generations of young women.
  2. On March 12, 1955, legendary jazz musician Charlie Parker died at age 34, leaving an indelible mark on music history.
  3. On March 12, 1894, Coca-Cola was sold in bottles for the first time in Vicksburg, Mississippi, transforming the beverage industry.

Notable Births and Achievements

March 12 has marked the birth of influential figures who have shaped entertainment, literature, and science.

  1. On March 12, 1946, actress, singer, and dancer Liza Minnelli was born in Los Angeles, California. She later won an Academy Award, a BAFTA Award, an Emmy Award, two Golden Globe Awards, and four Tony Awards.
  2. On March 12, 1922, Jack Kerouac was born, later authoring “On the Road” and pioneering the “Beat Generation” movement in American literature.
  3. On March 12, 1923, Wally Schirra was born, later becoming the only astronaut to fly in the Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo programs.
  4. On March 12, 1928, Edward Albee was born in Virginia, later becoming one of America’s greatest playwrights.

Sports and Entertainment History

The world of sports and entertainment has witnessed notable events on March 12.

  1. On March 12, 1956, MGM’s technicolor masterpiece “The Wizard of Oz” made its television debut on CBS, introducing Dorothy’s journey to Oz to a massive new audience of 45 million viewers and transforming what had been a modest theatrical success into a beloved cultural phenomenon.
  2. On March 12, 1969, Beatles bassist Paul McCartney married American photographer Linda Eastman in London, beginning a partnership that would produce five children, several albums with their band Wings, and last until Linda’s death from breast cancer in 1998.
  3. On March 12, 1987, Les Misérables opened on Broadway, beginning what would become one of the longest-running shows in theater history.

Political and Social Movements

This day has witnessed significant political decisions and social movements that have shaped nations. Let’s look at some more significant facts about March 12.

  1. On March 12, 1933, President Franklin D. Roosevelt addressed the American nation through his inaugural “Fireside Chat” radio broadcast, directly explaining banking reforms during the Depression and establishing a revolutionary form of intimate political communication.
  2. On March 12, 1940, Finland signed the Moscow Peace Treaty with the Soviet Union, ending the Winter War.
  3. On March 12, 1999, Hungary, Poland, and the Czech Republic joined NATO, expanding the alliance eastward.
  4. On March 12, 1967, Indira Gandhi was re-elected Prime Minister of India, consolidating her political power.
  5. On March 12, 1968, President Lyndon B. Johnson narrowly won the New Hampshire Democratic primary, reflecting growing dissatisfaction with the Vietnam War.

Modern Significance and Observances

Today, March 12 continues to hold special significance through various observances and commemorations.

  1. On March 12, Girl Scout Day commemorates the founding of the Girl Scouts of America, celebrating its impact on youth development.
  2. Celebrated on March 12, National Plant a Flower Day encourages gardening and environmental stewardship across the United States.
  3. World Day Against Cyber Censorship, an online event held each year on March 12, promotes awareness about internet freedom and digital rights.
  4. Every year on March 12, culinary enthusiasts across the United States celebrate National Baked Scallops Day, honoring this elegant seafood delicacy.
  5. On March 12 each year, film buffs and suspense lovers observe National Alfred Hitchcock Day, paying tribute to the “Master of Suspense” whose psychological thrillers like “Psycho,” “Vertigo,” and “The Birds” revolutionized cinematic techniques and continue to influence filmmakers worldwide.

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