1975 - President Gerald Ford withdraws troops from Cambodia, ceding country to Khmer Rouge
1961 - Soviet cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin becomes first human to travel into space; first earth orbit completed on this date.
1955 - The polio vaccine (for poliomyelitis), developed by Dr. Jonas Salk, is announced and declared safe and effective.
1937 - The first jet engine designed to power an aircraft is ground tested by Sir Frank Whittle in England.
1606 - England adopts the Union Jack, combining the flag designs of England and Scotland as its new flag
This Day In Business
1934 - The Toledo Auto-Lite strike begins taking the first step towards unionization in the automotive industry.
1954 - The song "Rock Around the Clock" is released; hits #1 in movie "Blackboard Jungle".
1202 - Constantinople is sacked by the 4th Crusade.
1980 - Terry Fox, on one leg, starts cross-Canada run to raise awareness & money for cancer causes.
April 12th Holiday
Yuri's Night - Commemoration of Yuri Gagarin being the first human in space.
Today's Birthday Trivia
He played the character Nick Van Owen in the 1997 film The Lost World: Jurassic Park. Who is he?
Today's Birthday Horoscope
Learn about people born on this day by reading the April 12 Birthday Horoscope.
Famous Birthdays iPhone App
Are you an iPhone user? Get the fun and free Famous Birthdays iPhone app.