What happened on January 12 in world history? Here are 4 events worth remembering: See them above in our 57-second video, and below for more details!
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First time long-distance radio message sent from Eiffel Tower
The Eiffel Tower played a crucial role in advancing radio communication when it transmitted a long-distance message for the first time, demonstrating the potential of wireless technology.
- On January 12, 1908, French engineer Gustave Ferrié used a transmitter from the Eiffel Tower to send a radio signal 400 miles (640 kilometers) away, a groundbreaking achievement in communication.
- Originally built for the 1889 World’s Fair, the Eiffel Tower was repurposed as a radio transmission hub. Its height made it ideal for testing and advancing long-range wireless signals.
- This successful experiment accelerated the development of radio technology, which would soon play a critical role in military communication, navigation, and global information exchange.
The 2010 Haiti earthquake
The devastating 2010 Haiti earthquake was one of the deadliest natural disasters in modern history, causing widespread destruction and a humanitarian crisis in the Caribbean nation.
- The 7.0-magnitude quake struck near Port-au-Prince on January 12, 2010. The disaster killed over 220,000 people, injured more than 300,000, and left 1.5 million homeless.
- Major buildings, including the Presidential Palace, the National Assembly, and hospitals, were destroyed or severely damaged, hampering rescue and relief efforts.
- The disaster prompted an international aid effort. Despite significant assistance, Haiti struggled with long-term recovery due to weak infrastructure, political instability, and subsequent natural disasters.
Biafra capitulates, ending the Nigerian Civil War
The surrender of Biafra on January 15, 1970, ended the brutal Nigerian Civil War, a conflict that caused massive casualties and a humanitarian crisis.
- The war began in 1967 when the southeastern region of Nigeria declared independence as the Republic of Biafra, driven by ethnic tensions and economic disparities.
- The conflict led to severe famine, exacerbated by blockades, resulting in the deaths of over 2 million civilians, many of them children, due to starvation and disease.
- After Biafra’s surrender, the Nigerian government promoted a policy of "no victor, no vanquished," focusing on national unity. However, ethnic and regional divisions continued to shape Nigeria’s political landscape.
Jack London is born
Jack London, one of America’s most celebrated authors, is known for his adventure novels and stories depicting the harsh realities of nature and human endurance.
- Born on January 12, 1876, in San Francisco, London experienced a difficult childhood and worked various jobs, including oyster pirating and gold prospecting in the Klondike, which influenced his writing.
- London’s best-known books include The Call of the Wild (1903) and White Fang (1906), which explore themes of survival, the wilderness, and the struggle between civilization and nature.
- A pioneer of commercial fiction and social activism, London’s works continue to be widely read. His exploration of socialism, individualism, and the human spirit left an enduring mark on American literature.