July 12 is a day filled with important events and notable birthdays throughout history. From battles that changed the course of wars to laws that shaped human rights, this day has seen it all. It’s also the birthday of inventors, writers, and leaders who made a big impact on the world. In this article, we’ll explore five major events that happened on July 12 and learn about five famous people born on this day.
Historical Events of July 12
Crusaders Take Acre (1191)
The Third Crusade was a big war between European Christians and Muslims in the Middle East. On July 12, 1191, an important battle ended when the city of Acre surrendered to King Richard I of England, also known as Richard the Lionheart.
Acre was a very important city because it was on the coast and had a good harbor. The Crusaders had been trying to capture it for almost two years. King Richard led the Christian army, which included soldiers from England, France, and other parts of Europe.
The capture of Acre was a big win for the Crusaders. It gave them a strong base in the Holy Land and boosted their spirits. This victory helped the Crusaders continue their fight, even though they didn’t achieve their main goal of taking back Jerusalem.
Alfonso V becomes King of Naples (1442)
On July 12, 1442, Alfonso V of Aragon became the King of Naples. Alfonso was already the king of several other places, including Aragon (part of modern Spain), Sicily, and Sardinia.
Alfonso had been trying to take control of Naples for many years. He finally succeeded after a long war. By becoming King of Naples, Alfonso united a large part of the Mediterranean under his rule.
This event was important because it changed the balance of power in Europe. It made Alfonso one of the most powerful rulers of his time and had a big impact on politics and trade in the region.
Battle of Albancay (1537)
The Battle of Albancay took place on July 12, 1537, in what is now Peru. It was part of a civil war between Spanish conquistadors who were fighting for control of the land they had conquered from the Inca Empire.
On one side was Diego de Almagro, and on the other was an army led by Alonso de Alvarado. Alvarado was fighting for Francisco Pizarro, who had conquered the Inca Empire a few years earlier.
Alvarado’s army won the battle, defeating Almagro. This victory helped Pizarro keep control over the former Inca lands. The battle was part of a bigger conflict between the Spanish conquerors, which continued for several more years.
Invasion of Île de Ré (1627)
On July 12, 1627, an English fleet led by George Villiers landed on the Île de Ré, an island off the west coast of France. This was part of a war between England and France.
The English hoped to help French Protestants who were fighting against the Catholic French government. They also wanted to weaken France’s power.
However, the invasion did not go well for the English. After three months of fighting, they had to leave the island. They lost about 4,000 out of their 7,000 soldiers. This failure was embarrassing for England and its leader, King Charles I.
Habeas Corpus Act Ratified (1679)
On July 12, 1679, King Charles II of England approved the Habeas Corpus Act. This law is very important in the history of human rights and freedom.
Habeas corpus” is a Latin phrase that means “you may have the body.” The law says that a court can order the government to bring a prisoner to court to decide if the person is being held legally.
This law protects people from being put in jail without a good reason. It’s still an important part of law in many countries today, including the United States. The Habeas Corpus Act helped to protect people’s rights and limit the power of the government.
Famous Birthdays on July 12
Josiah Wedgwood (1730-1795)
One of Wedgwood’s big ideas was to make pottery in a factory, using machines to help. This made it possible to make more pottery and sell it for less money. He also made his pottery look very fancy, which made people want to buy it.
Wedgwood’s company became very successful and is still around today. His work helped make British pottery famous around the world. He was also the grandfather of Charles Darwin, the famous scientist who came up with the theory of evolution.
Henry David Thoreau (1817-1862)
Henry David Thoreau was an American writer and thinker. He is most famous for writing a book called “Walden,” which is about living a simple life in nature. Thoreau spent two years living in a small cabin by Walden Pond, growing his own food and thinking about life.
Thoreau also wrote about civil disobedience, which means peacefully refusing to follow laws you think are wrong. His ideas about this have influenced many people, including Martin Luther King Jr. and Mahatma Gandhi.
Thoreau loved nature and wrote a lot about it. His ideas have helped shape how we think about protecting the environment today. He believed that people should live simply and think for themselves, ideas that are still important to many people.
Hipólito Yrigoyen (1852-1933)
Hipólito Yrigoyen was an important political leader in Argentina. He served as the President of Argentina twice, from 1916 to 1922 and again from 1928 to 1930.
Yrigoyen was the first president of Argentina to be elected by secret ballot, which means people could vote without others knowing who they voted for. This was a big change that made elections fairer.
As president, Yrigoyen tried to help workers and poor people. He made laws to protect workers’ rights and tried to make the government more honest. He also worked to improve education in Argentina.
However, not everyone liked Yrigoyen’s ideas. In 1930, he was removed from power by the military. Despite this, many people in Argentina still remember him as an important leader who fought for democracy and workers’ rights.
George Eastman (1854-1932)
George Eastman was an American inventor and businessman. He is famous for inventing roll film and founding the Eastman Kodak Company, which made cameras and film.
Before Eastman’s invention, taking photos was hard and expensive. Eastman created a new kind of film that was easier to use. He also made a simple camera called the Kodak that anyone could use. His company’s slogan was “You press the button, we do the rest.”
Eastman’s inventions made it possible for many more people to take photos. This changed how people recorded their lives and remembered important events. Kodak became a very successful company and made Eastman very rich.
Eastman used his money to help others. He gave a lot of money to schools, hospitals, and other good causes. He believed that people with wealth should use it to help make the world better.
Emil Hácha (1872-1945)
Emil Hácha was a Czech lawyer and politician who lived during a very difficult time in his country’s history. He became the President of Czechoslovakia in 1938, just before World War II started.
In 1939, Nazi Germany took over Czechoslovakia. Hácha was forced to agree to this takeover. After that, he became the leader of a small part of the country that the Nazis allowed to exist, called the Protectorate of Bohemia and Moravia.
Hácha’s role during this time is seen as controversial. Some people think he did the best he could in a very hard situation, trying to protect Czech people. Others criticize him for working with the Nazis.
After the war ended in 1945, Hácha was arrested. He died in prison shortly after. His story shows how complicated and difficult politics can be during wartime.
Takeaway
July 12 has been a day of important events throughout history. From the Crusaders’ victory at Acre to the ratification of the Habeas Corpus Act, these events have shaped the world we live in today. The people born on this day, like Josiah Wedgwood, Henry David Thoreau, and George Eastman, have also made big impacts in areas like business, literature, and technology.
Learning about these events and people helps us understand how the past has influenced our present. It shows us how ideas about government, individual rights, and technology have changed over time. By studying history, we can better understand our world and think about how to make it better in the future.
References:
- Gillingham, J. (1999). Richard I. Yale University Press.
- Bisson, T. N. (1986). The Medieval Crown of Aragon. Oxford University Press.
- Hemming, J. (1970). The Conquest of the Incas. Harcourt Brace Jovanovich.
- Kishlansky, M. (2005). A Monarchy Transformed: Britain 1603-1714. Penguin Books.
- McKendrick, N., Brewer, J., & Plumb, J. H. (1982). The Birth of a Consumer Society. Europa Publications.
- Richardson, R. D. (1986). Henry Thoreau: A Life of the Mind. University of California Press.
- Rock, D. (1987). Argentina 1516-1987: From Spanish Colonization to Alfonsín. University of California Press
