December 12 in History

Embarks on the 3rd Crusade, heads for France & does not return for 4 years

Arrested & sent to the Tower, increases Somersets power

Sentenced to death for treason

Sentenced to death for treason

An agreement is made for the marriage of the Prince of Wales to Henrietta Maria

Charles asks the Lords for resources to protect subjects threatened by the Irish rebellion.

Charles asks the Lords for resources to protect subjects threatened by the Irish rebellion.

The Barebones Parliament is forcefully dissolved

The Barebones Parliament is forcefully dissolved

Rous joined members who surrendered the assembly's authority to Cromwell.

Detained by magistrates at Faversham while attempting to reach France

Orders his generals to invade Silesia

Louis XVI received legal assistance from Malesherbes, Tronchet and de Sèze in preparing his defense.

The Law of the Maximum is repealed during the Thermidorian retreat from economic controls

The Law of the Maximum is repealed during the Thermidorian retreat from economic controls.

Carrier is tried and executed as the Convention turns against extreme agents of the Terror

Carrier is tried and executed as the Convention turns against extreme agents of the Terror.

Attwood is elected as one of Birmingham's first Members of Parliament.

Treaty supports American use of Panama as an Atlantic to Pacific transit corridor

Treaty becomes an early diplomatic foundation for later United States canal ambitions

Treaty establishes a precedent for later United States involvement in Panama transit policy

Treaty of peace amity navigation and commerce links United States trade policy to Panama transit

Signs treaty guaranteeing United States transit rights across the Isthmus of Panama

United States and New Granada sign treaty guaranteeing transit across the isthmus

Treaty grants free transit over existing or future routes across the Isthmus of Panama

Treaty language covers routes that may later be constructed across Panama

Polk administration treats the Panama route as a strategic interoceanic connection

United States obtains rights of transit across the Isthmus of Panama

Polk administration secures treaty framework for United States transit across the Isthmus of Panama

Treaty is later interpreted as permitting United States protection of isthmian transit

United States agrees to guarantee the neutrality of the isthmian transit route

United States recognizes and guarantees New Granadan sovereignty over the Isthmus of Panama

Treaty creates reciprocal rights and obligations between the United States and New Granada over Panama transit

Treaty strengthens United States access between Atlantic and Pacific routes

Mallarino Bidlack Treaty creates an early legal basis for future American canal policy in Panama

Treaty helps prepare the legal environment for later United States-backed railroad transit across Panama

United States guarantee becomes a key legal background to later Panama Canal diplomacy

United States guarantee of neutrality makes Panama transit a matter of American foreign policy

Polk administration advances a strategic policy of protected isthmian communication

Treaty gives the United States a diplomatic interest in protecting transit across Panama

Arrives at Rome on the invitation of the Revolutionary Government

Begins the Bang Premiership in Copenhagen and serves as Prime Minister of Denmark.

The Ørsted Government ends in Copenhagen, concluding this term as Prime Minister of Denmark.

Appointed Member of Privy Council, by Queen Victoria

Makes a dramatic escape from the Boers which reaches the world's headlines

The Boers offer 25 pounds for Churchill dead or alive

The Boers offer 25 pounds for Churchill dead or alive

Escapes from Boer captivity and reaches safety.

Informs his constituency he will not contest the next election. Churchill has decided to join the Liberal Party

Informs his constituency he will not contest the next election

The Zemstvo are given a broader national & local role. Changes agreed by the Tsar become law, still no representitive form of Government

Attends the Delhi Durbar with Queen Mary.

After the failure of the Austrian Black Yellow offensive, Germany takes over ultimate control of Austro-Hungarian forces

After the failure of the Austrian Black Yellow offensive, Germany takes over ultimate control of Austro-Hungarian forces

Issues a Peace Note for negotiations, hopes to control Belgium & North East France

Kerensky develops his views through provisional government after 1917.

Addresses the Provisional Reich Economic Council as the government seeks support for stabilization and reparations policy.

Kundt is removed from command after major Bolivian reverses in the Chaco War

Restores the 1923 Constitution after sustained nationalist pressure.

Chiang Kaishek is captured in Xian & detained in the HQ of General Yang

Is seized at Xi’an by Zhang Xueliang and Yang Hucheng during the Xi’an Incident.

Uses the British abdication crisis to reduce the Crown's constitutional role in Irish external relations.

Harwood orders Ajax, Achilles and Exeter to concentrate off the River Plate before his predicted arrival of the German raider.

Jodl discusses plans for an invasion of Norway with Hitler, Keitel and Raeder.

Harwood's three cruisers conduct manoeuvres and rehearse the tactics intended for an encounter with a German pocket battleship.

During the German relief operation at Stalingrad, Soviet forces had been redeployed, lesser objectives substituted, and the operation renamed "Little Saturn".

Following the success of Operation Uranus, the Red Army began Operation Saturn, to cut off Army Group A and all troops east of Rostov.

Spearheaded by some of the first Tiger tanks, the offensive got within 48 km (30 mi) of the southern 6th Army front, but the Germans made no attempt to break out.

The attack fell on Eighth Italian Army and the remnants of 3rd Romanian Army, and led to the destruction of most of Eighth Army. A relief operation called Operation Winter Storm began.

The failure was followed by a siege that lasted for almost three months, during which 6th Army was destroyed

During the German relief operation at Stalingrad, Soviet forces had been redeployed, lesser objectives substituted, and the operation renamed "Little Saturn".

Following the success of Operation Uranus, the Red Army began Operation Saturn, to cut off Army Group A and all troops east of Rostov.

Spearheaded by some of the first Tiger tanks, the offensive got within 48 km (30 mi) of the southern 6th Army front, but the Germans made no attempt to break out.

The attack fell on Eighth Italian Army and the remnants of 3rd Romanian Army, and led to the destruction of most of Eighth Army. A relief operation called Operation Winter Storm began.

The failure was followed by a siege that lasted for almost three months, during which 6th Army was destroyed

Following the success of Operation Uranus, the Red Army began Operation Saturn, to cut off Army Group A and all troops east of Rostov. During the German relief operation at Stalingrad, Soviet forces had been redeployed, lesser objectives substituted, and the operation renamed "Little Saturn". The attack fell on Eighth Italian Army and the remnants of 3rd Romanian Army, and led to the destruction of most of Eighth Army

Following the success of Operation Uranus, the Red Army began Operation Saturn, to cut off Army Group A and all troops east of Rostov. During the German relief operation at Stalingrad, Soviet forces had been redeployed, lesser objectives substituted, and the operation renamed "Little Saturn". The attack fell on Eighth Italian Army and the remnants of 3rd Romanian Army, and led to the destruction of most of Eighth Army

A relief operation called Operation Winter Storm began. Spearheaded by some of the first Tiger tanks, the offensive got within 48 km (30 mi) of the southern 6th Army front, but the Germans made no attempt to break out. The failure was followed by a siege that lasted for almost three months, during which 6th Army was destroyed

Following the success of Operation Uranus, the Red Army began Operation Saturn, to cut off Army Group A and all troops east of Rostov. During the German relief operation at Stalingrad, Soviet forces had been redeployed, lesser objectives substituted, and the operation renamed "Little Saturn".

The attack fell on Eighth Italian Army and the remnants of 3rd Romanian Army, and led to the destruction of most of Eighth Army

The attack fell on Eighth Italian Army and the remnants of 3rd Romanian Army, and led to the destruction of most of Eighth Army.

A relief operation called Operation Winter Storm began. Spearheaded by some of the first Tiger tanks, the offensive got within 48 km (30 mi) of the southern 6th Army front, but the Germans made no attempt to break out. The failure was followed by a siege that lasted for almost three months, during which 6th Army was destroyed

A relief operation called Operation Winter Storm began. Spearheaded by some of the first Tiger tanks, the offensive got within 48 km (30 mi) of the southern 6th Army front, but the Germans made no attempt to break out. The failure was followed by a siege that lasted for almost three months, during which 6th Army was destroyed

The First Siroky Government ends in Prague, concluding this term as Prime Minister of Czechoslovakia.

Begins the Second Siroky Government in Prague and serves as Prime Minister of Czechoslovakia.

Patents the Hovercraft

Eden goes to Jamaica for the sake of his health, Heath is left to manage the party

Eden goes to Jamaica for the sake of his health

Judges reject his attempt to minimize responsibility.

Is convicted on major charges by the Jerusalem court.

Retains the role of Prime Minister after independence was declared

Retains the role of Prime Minister after independence was declared

Kenya becomes a republic, with Kenyatta as executive president

Kenya becomes a republic, with Kenyatta as executive president

Wins the 2nd & final round with 54.6% to Mitterrands 45.4%

The Baader-Meinhog bomb Berlin

Announced in Cabinet in the face of growing industrial unrest

Begins Apollo 17's first lunar surface excursion and starts exploration of the Taurus-Littrow valley.

Begins lunar field geology with Cernan during Apollo 17's first surface excursion.

Conducts lunar geology as the only professional geologist on the Moon.

Drives the lunar rover during extended geological exploration of the Taurus-Littrow valley.

Recognizes orange volcanic soil at Shorty Crater during Apollo 17’s second EVA.

Mohammad Musa Shafiq becomes the monarchy's final prime minister.

Mick Taylor announces his departure from the Rolling Stones.

Joins the Politburo decision approving Soviet military intervention in Afghanistan.

Muzorewa's administration ends as Britain resumes authority before independence elections.

British authority is restored, ending the constitutional order created by UDI.

Diouf becomes President of the Senegambia Confederation with Gambia

al-Fayez participates in state visit connected with Jordanian political and historical developments.

Arafat recognises Israel's right to exist and accepts United Nations resolutions during diplomatic moves linked to the uprising

The Commons votes to prosecute war criminals

Shares in the regional water companies begin trading following privatisation.

Mugabe's government expands legal authority for compulsory land acquisition.

Parliament changes constitutional provisions governing compulsory land acquisition.

The Russian legislature ratifies the Belovezha agreement establishing the Commonwealth of Independent States.

Negotiates the settlement applying special arrangements to Denmark in defence, monetary union, citizenship and justice cooperation.

The Edinburgh settlement gives Denmark a special position concerning the defence dimension of European Union cooperation.

Supports the arrangement allowing Denmark not to participate in the third stage of economic and monetary union.

Secures a European Council decision addressing Denmark's concerns while leaving the Maastricht Treaty text unchanged.

The Edinburgh settlement clarifies that Union citizenship does not replace Danish nationality, addressing a central Danish concern.

The Edinburgh settlement confirms constitutional safeguards for Denmark regarding future transfers of sovereignty in justice and home affairs.

Marriage of Princess Anne to Timothy Laurence

Works with Community partners as Ireland accepts the Edinburgh solution to the ratification crisis.

Supports Portugal's acceptance of the Edinburgh arrangements as a route toward treaty ratification.

Supports Belgium's negotiating line during the second day of the Edinburgh discussions on Maastricht.

Supports Italy's position on the Danish arrangements and the continuing Maastricht timetable.

Helps France assess the legal and political arrangements intended to preserve the Maastricht Treaty.

Works on Denmark's response to the Danish settlement as the Edinburgh European Council concludes.

Hurd helps defend Britain's Maastricht opt-outs while the Edinburgh European Council concludes.

Helps secure Germany's support for the Edinburgh arrangements designed to unblock Maastricht ratification.

Contributes to Greece's position as leaders finalise the Edinburgh response to Danish concerns.

Contributes to Luxembourg's support for the Edinburgh package addressing the Danish referendum result.

Supports the Edinburgh compromise from Spain's diplomatic perspective as the summit closes.

Helps maintain Netherlands's backing for Maastricht while the European Council settles the Danish question.

Oversees elections to the new State Duma held alongside the constitutional referendum.

Voters approve a new constitution establishing a strong presidency and a bicameral Federal Assembly.

The political divisions of Bosnia and Herzegovina and its structure of Government are agreed upon as part the constitution that makes up Annex 4 of the General Framework Agreement concluded at Dayton

Under the Dayton Accords Anyone under indictment for war crimes is be barred from public office after scheduled elections, all parties must cooperate with the International War Crimes Tribunal, and Sarajevo will be reunified under Bosnia

Permanent neutrality becomes a central doctrine under Niyazov's presidency

50,000 NATO troops, including Russians and 20,000 Americans, begin to monitor the fragile peace in December

The Dayton Accords provide for a virtual partitioning of Bosnia and the deployment of a multinational implementation force (IFOR) to keep the warring factions apart and protect war-crimes investigators

Under the Dayton Accords Anyone under indictment for war crimes is be barred from public office after scheduled elections, all parties must cooperate with the International War Crimes Tribunal, and Sarajevo will be reunified under Bosnia

Under the Dayton Accords Anyone under indictment for war crimes is be barred from public office after scheduled elections, all parties must cooperate with the International War Crimes Tribunal, and Sarajevo will be reunified under Bosnia

Galileo data establish Ganymede as the first moon known to possess its own magnetic field.

Ciorbea forms a reform-oriented coalition government.

Supports launching the Union's enlargement process with countries of Central and Eastern Europe and Cyprus.

Supports Greece's convergence strategy aimed at qualifying for later entry into the euro area.

The ban on homosexuals serving in the armed forces is to be lifted

A French citizen of Moroccan origin is charged with conspiring with Osama Bin Laden and other suspects to kill thousands of Americans in the 11 September attacks, Zacarias Moussaoui is detained in the US on immigration charges

A French citizen of Moroccan origin is charged with conspiring with Osama Bin Laden and other suspects to kill thousands of Americans in the 11 September attacks, Zacarias Moussaoui is detained in the US on immigration charges

A French citizen of Moroccan origin is charged with conspiring with Osama Bin Laden and other suspects to kill thousands of Americans in the 11 September attacks, Zacarias Moussaoui is detained in the US on immigration charges

A French citizen of Moroccan origin is charged with conspiring with Osama Bin Laden and other suspects to kill thousands of Americans in the 11 September attacks, Zacarias Moussaoui is detained in the US on immigration charges

Mick Jagger is knighted

Karolos Papoulias is nominated by the governing and opposition parties for the presidency.

Wins the presidency after a runoff election.

Basescu wins the presidency after defeating Adrian Nastase.

Seeks assurances addressing Irish concerns over taxation, neutrality, ethical issues and retention of a national Commissioner.

The Constituent Assembly elected Moncef Marzouki president of Tunisia.

North Korea launches a satellite into orbit.

Roth leads Hubble ultraviolet observations finding evidence for water-vapor plumes above Europa's south polar region.

Purges and executes Jang Song Thaek.

Survives a Conservative confidence vote over her Brexit leadership.

Leads Labour to defeat in the general election.

Wins a Conservative majority on the slogan Get Brexit Done.

Leads the SNP to major gains in Scotland at the general election.

Loses her seat in the general election.

Wins a Conservative majority on the slogan Get Brexit Done.

Leads the SNP to major gains in Scotland at the general election.

General election outcome recorded for Boris Johnson: Wins a Conservative majority on the slogan Get Brexit Done.

General election outcome recorded for Nicola Sturgeon: Leads the SNP to major gains in Scotland at the general election.

Government context for this general election: Wins a Conservative majority on the slogan Get Brexit Done.

Government context for this general election: Leads the SNP to major gains in Scotland at the general election.

Starmer is re-elected for Holborn and St Pancras at the general election.

Serdar marks the thirtieth anniversary of Turkmenistan's permanent neutrality as President

Serdar suggests political reforms while continuing as President and head of government

Birth of Samuel Hood

Death of Waleran de Beaumont, 4th Earl of Warwick

Death of Selim II, succeeded by Murad III

Brunel's father and engineering mentor Marc Isambard Brunel dies.

Sir Marc Isambard Brunel dies in Westminster after a career in civil and mechanical engineering.

Death of John Sparrow David Thompson

Ruby made a final statement from his hospital bed that he and he alone had been responsible for the murder of Lee Harvey Oswald

Death of Joseph Heller

Death of Heydar Aliyev

Defeats Soult

Following the success of Operation Uranus, the Red Army began Operation Saturn, to cut off Army Group A and all troops east of Rostov.During the German relief operation at Stalingrad, Soviet forces had been redeployed, lesser objectives substituted, and the operation renamed "Little Saturn".

Spearheaded by some of the first Tiger tanks, the offensive got within 48 km (30 mi) of the southern 6th Army front, but the Germans made no attempt to break out.

The attack fell on Eighth Italian Army and the remnants of 3rd Romanian Army, and led to the destruction of most of Eighth Army. A relief operation called Operation Winter Storm began.

The failure was followed by a siege that lasted for almost three months, during which 6th Army was destroyed

Sets the Panzers rolling to relieve Paulus trapped 6th Army. Manstein is 30 miles away from Stalingrad

Crowned as Henry II of France, under the terms of the Treaty of Troyes

Becomes the first reigning British monarch attending an Indian durbar.