December 12: Facts & Historical Events On This Day

The deepest point of land was identified.

Underneath the Denman Glacier in East Antarctica, there is an ice-filled canyon 11,500 feet below sea level, making it the deepest point on earth to date.

After countless failures, North Korea launched its first satellite.

Kwangmyŏngsŏng-3 Unit 2 ("Bright Star" in English) was designed as an Earth-observation satellite, but international parties condemned its launch. This was largely down to the fact that the launch rocket used the same technology as a ballistic missile, which North Korea was banned from testing at the time.

Winona Ryder was arrested.

On the premise of shoplifting charges, Winona Ryder was arrested in Beverly Hills for stealing $4,700 worth of merchandise and possession of pain medication without a prescription.

A 7.8 earthquake hit Flores Island in Indonesia, which caused an 82-foot tsunami, killing about 2,500 people.

Rainman, directed by Barry Levinson, starring Dustin Hoffman and Tom Cruise, premiered in New York.

Apple made its initial public offering on the US stock market.

Thirty-eight years later, it would become the first US company valued at over $1 trillion.

Arthur Ashe became the first black person to be ranked number one in tennis.

Adolf Eichmann was found guilty of war crimes in Israel.

British engineer Sir Christopher Cockerell submitted a patent for the world’s first hovercraft.

Adolf Hitler declared the imminent extermination of the Jews at a meeting in the Reich Chancellery.

The Empire of China was established by statesman Yuan Shikai, who declared himself Emperor.

The first case of the bubonic plague was announced in Honolulu.

The Board of Health in Honolulu declared the first bubonic plague death shortly after the cholera epidemic.

Mexico was officially recognized as an independent nation by the US.

Pennsylvania became the second state to ratify the US constitution.

King Carloman II of West Francia was mortally wounded while out hunting.