From the archives
Classic headlineRed Tape Holds Up New Bridge
Source: Classic headline (CJR 'Squad Helps Dog Bite Victim' collections)View clipping source
Monday 12 October 2026
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Two birth milestones share this date — Grace Kelly born (1929) and Neil Young born (1945), 16 years apart.
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From CurioVault
Today's curiosity
Before dinosaurs existed, dragonflies with 2-foot wings ruled the sky.
Read on CurioVault.co → Today's headlines
- Red Tape Holds Up New BridgeHall of Fame◆
- 1975Music: Two ‘Firsts’ for Sarah CaldwellThe New York Times◆
- 2021Pauline Hanson’s version of South Park doesn’t fool anyone – a vote for her remains a vote for xenophobiaThe Guardian◆
- 2020Why are some Hong Kong democracy activists supporting Trump’s bid to cling to power?The Guardian◆
- 1892Pudge Heffelfinger becomes the first professional American football player on record, participating in his first paid game for the Allegheny Athletic Association.Wikipedia◆
- 2014The European Space Agency's lander Philae touched down on 67P/Churyumov–Gerasimenko, becoming the first spacecraft to land on a comet.Wikipedia◆
- 1973The first episode of Last of the Summer Wine, the longest-running television sitcom in history, premiered on the BBC.Wikipedia◆
- 1892William Heffelfinger was paid $500 by the Allegheny Athletic Association, becoming the first professional American football player.Wikipedia◆
- 1439Plymouth becomes the first town incorporated by the English Parliament.Wikipedia◆
- 1944Second World War: In Operation Catechism, the Royal Air Force sank the German battleship Tirpitz (video featured) near Tromsø, Norway, killing about 1,000 sailors on board.Wikipedia◆
- 2014The Philae lander, deployed from the European Space Agency's Rosetta probe, reaches the surface of Comet 67P/Churyumov–Gerasimenko.Wikipedia◆
- 2003Iraq War: In Nasiriyah, Iraq, at least 23 people, among them the first Italian casualties of the 2003 invasion of Iraq, are killed in a suicide bomb attack on an Italian police base.Wikipedia◆
- 2003Shanghai Transrapid sets a new world speed record of 501 kilometres per hour (311 mph) for commercial railway systems, which remains the fastest for unmodified commercial rail vehicles.Wikipedia◆
- 1981Space Shuttle program: Mission STS-2, utilizing the Space Shuttle Columbia, marks the first time a crewed spacecraft is launched into space twice.Wikipedia◆
- Red Tape Holds Up New BridgeHall of Fame◆
- 1975Music: Two ‘Firsts’ for Sarah CaldwellThe New York Times◆
- 2021Pauline Hanson’s version of South Park doesn’t fool anyone – a vote for her remains a vote for xenophobiaThe Guardian◆
- 2020Why are some Hong Kong democracy activists supporting Trump’s bid to cling to power?The Guardian◆
- 1892Pudge Heffelfinger becomes the first professional American football player on record, participating in his first paid game for the Allegheny Athletic Association.Wikipedia◆
- 2014The European Space Agency's lander Philae touched down on 67P/Churyumov–Gerasimenko, becoming the first spacecraft to land on a comet.Wikipedia◆
- 1973The first episode of Last of the Summer Wine, the longest-running television sitcom in history, premiered on the BBC.Wikipedia◆
- 1892William Heffelfinger was paid $500 by the Allegheny Athletic Association, becoming the first professional American football player.Wikipedia◆
- 1439Plymouth becomes the first town incorporated by the English Parliament.Wikipedia◆
- 1944Second World War: In Operation Catechism, the Royal Air Force sank the German battleship Tirpitz (video featured) near Tromsø, Norway, killing about 1,000 sailors on board.Wikipedia◆
- 2014The Philae lander, deployed from the European Space Agency's Rosetta probe, reaches the surface of Comet 67P/Churyumov–Gerasimenko.Wikipedia◆
- 2003Iraq War: In Nasiriyah, Iraq, at least 23 people, among them the first Italian casualties of the 2003 invasion of Iraq, are killed in a suicide bomb attack on an Italian police base.Wikipedia◆
- 2003Shanghai Transrapid sets a new world speed record of 501 kilometres per hour (311 mph) for commercial railway systems, which remains the fastest for unmodified commercial rail vehicles.Wikipedia◆
- 1981Space Shuttle program: Mission STS-2, utilizing the Space Shuttle Columbia, marks the first time a crewed spacecraft is launched into space twice.Wikipedia◆
Birthday twins
You share your birthday with...
Ryan Gosling1980- Neil Young1945
- Grace Kelly1929
12 November in history
0 eventsEvents, inventions, discoveries and releases. Looking for people or sport? See , and below.
We are adding more verified events for this date - more coming soon.
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What happened on this day · Odd history for today
Vintage News — November 12
1892 First everPudge Heffelfinger becomes the first professional American football player on record, participating in his first paid game for the Allegheny Athletic Association.
Read more →Source: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0
2014 First everThe European Space Agency's lander Philae touched down on 67P/Churyumov–Gerasimenko, becoming the first spacecraft to land on a comet.
Read more →Source: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0
1973 First everThe first episode of Last of the Summer Wine, the longest-running television sitcom in history, premiered on the BBC.
Read more →Source: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0
- 1892 First ever
William Heffelfinger was paid $500 by the Allegheny Athletic Association, becoming the first professional American football player.
Read more →Source: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0
1439 First everPlymouth becomes the first town incorporated by the English Parliament.
Read more →Source: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0
From The Guardian Archives — On This Day
2021The GuardianPauline Hanson’s version of South Park doesn’t fool anyone – a vote for her remains a vote for xenophobiaThe Please Explain videos could draw unsuspecting viewers to rightwing populism
Read on The Guardian →
2020The GuardianWhy are some Hong Kong democracy activists supporting Trump’s bid to cling to power?A small but vocal group have sharpened divisions and prompted a wave of vitriol against journalists
Read on The Guardian →- 1975The New York TimesMusic: Two ‘Firsts’ for Sarah Caldwell
Female chauvinism reared its head on Monday at Avery Fisher Hall, where Sarah Caldwell became the first woman to cond…
Read on NYTimes.com →
Headlines via The Guardian Open Platform · Historic front pages via the NYT Archive API
Facts from Wikipedia On This Day API (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Wikimedia. Thumbnails CC BY-SA. Headlines via The Guardian Open Platform and the NYT Archive API. Historic pages via Library of Congress Chronicling America. Curated by OddlyTrue.
Strange but true headlines of the day
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Did you guess the year?
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When was “Pudge Heffelfinger becomes the first professional American football player on record, participating in his first paid game for the Allegheny Athletic Association.” happening? Slide to your guess.
1950
Weird history, same day
- ???? First ever
Pudge Heffelfinger becomes the first professional American football player on record, participating in his first paid game for the Allegheny Athletic Association.
Read more →Source: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0
- 2014 First ever
The European Space Agency's lander Philae touched down on 67P/Churyumov–Gerasimenko, becoming the first spacecraft to land on a comet.
Read more →Source: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0
- 1973 First ever
The first episode of Last of the Summer Wine, the longest-running television sitcom in history, premiered on the BBC.
Read more →Source: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0
Hall of Fame headlines are manually verified clippings (source linked); nothing is scraped from Newspapers.com. Facts from Wikipedia On This Day API (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Wikimedia. Clippings from the Library of Congress, Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers site.
Pick another date or enter your birthday (day + month only)
Viewing 12 November — today is 12 October.
Born on this day
3
1929Birth
Grace Kelly born
Grace Kelly was born. American actress and Princess of Monaco.
1945Birth
Neil Young born
Neil Young was born. Canadian singer-songwriter.
1980Birth
Ryan Gosling born
Ryan Gosling was born. Canadian actor known for La La Land.
Died on this day
17 in the archiveFive infamous ends — executed, assassinated or murdered — drawn at random from the archive. All infamous ends →
Accident
2012Death
Whitney Houston dies
Whitney Houston, singer and actress, died on this day in 2012. Accidental drowning. Remembered as: One of the best-selling music artists of all time.
Assassinated
1980Death
John Lennon dies
John Lennon, musician, died on this day in 1980. Assassinated in New York City. Remembered as: Co-lead vocalist and founder of The Beatles.
Accident
1997Death
Diana, Princess of Wales dies
Diana, Princess of Wales, member of british royal family, died on this day in 1997. Car crash in Paris. Remembered as: Global humanitarian and celebrated royal figure.
Assassinated
1968Death
Martin Luther King Jr. dies
Martin Luther King Jr., civil rights leader, died on this day in 1968. Assassinated in Memphis. Remembered as: Prominent leader in the American civil rights movement.
Suicide
2008Death
Heath Ledger dies
Heath Ledger, actor, died on this day in 2008. Accidental prescription drug overdose. Remembered as: Acclaimed performances, including the Joker in The Dark Knight.
Famous birthdays
21 this weekToday · 12 November
- Ryan GoslingCanadian actor (born 1980)Born 1980 · 46 years ago today
- Neil YoungCanadian and American musician (born 1945)Born 1945 · 81 years ago today
- Grace KellyAmerican actress, Princess of Monaco from 1956 to 1982Born 1929 · 97 years ago today
Coming up this week
Gerard ButlerScottish actor and film producer (born 1969)13 November · born 1969
Whoopi GoldbergAmerican actor and comedian (born 1955)13 November · born 1955
Robert Louis StevensonScottish novelist and poet (1850–1894)13 November · born 1850
Josh DuhamelAmerican actor (born 1972)14 November · born 1972
Prince CharlesKing of the United Kingdom since 202214 November · born 1948
Claude MonetFrench painter (1840–1926)14 November · born 1840
Day of Recognition12 November
World Pneumonia Day
Raises awareness about pneumonia, the world's leading infectious killer of children under five.
Music · No.1 on this day
What was topping the charts
The official No.1 singles and albums in the UK and the USA on this date, decade by decade.
2016 10 yrs ago
2006 20 yrs ago
1996 30 yrs ago
1986 40 yrs ago
1976 50 yrs ago
1966 60 yrs ago
1956 70 yrs ago
Sport on this day
0Finals, medals and records decided on 12 November.
No recorded sporting finals on this date yet.
Sporting almanac
Who was champion, 10, 25 and 50 years ago
World Cups, Olympics, Wimbledon, the Masters, Super Bowl and more — year by year since 1877.
2016 10 yrs ago
- Olympic GamesSummer Olympics in Rio
- WimbledonAndy Murray and Serena Williams win Wimbledon
- Super BowlDenver Broncos win Super Bowl 50
- Tour de FranceChris Froome wins the Tour de France
- The MastersDanny Willett wins the Masters
- World SeriesChicago Cubs win the World Series
2001 25 yrs ago
- WimbledonGoran Ivanisevic and Venus Williams win Wimbledon
- Super BowlBaltimore Ravens win Super Bowl XXXV
- The MastersTiger Woods wins the Masters
- World SeriesArizona Diamondbacks win the World Series
- NBA FinalsLos Angeles Lakers win the NBA Finals
- Stanley CupColorado Avalanche win the Stanley Cup
1976 50 yrs ago
- Olympic GamesSummer Olympics in Montreal
- Olympic GamesWinter Olympics in Innsbruck
- WimbledonBjorn Borg and Chris Evert win Wimbledon
- Super BowlPittsburgh Steelers win Super Bowl X
- Tour de FranceLucien Van Impe wins the Tour de France
- The MastersRaymond Floyd wins the Masters
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