Events on Jan 12
- 1493Last day for all Jews to leave Sicily
- 1552Dutch west coast hit by heavy storm, 100s killed
- 1583Holland begins use of Gregorian calendar (yesterday was 1 / 1 / 1583)
- 1598Pope Clement VIII seizes duchy of Ferrara on death of Alfonso
- 1684French King Louis XIV marries Madame Maintenon
- 1701Frisia and Groningen begin use of Gregorian calendar
- 1701Parts of the Netherlands adopt Gregorian calendar
- 1755Tsarina Elisabeth establishes 1st Russian University
- 17731st US public museum established (Charlestown SC)
- 1777Mission Santa Clara de Asis founded in California
- 1806French evacuate Vienna
- 1807Gunpowder-ship explodes in Leiden Neth, 150 die
- 1809British take Cayenne (French Guiana) from French (until 1814)
- 18121st cargo arrives in New Orleans by steam, from Natchez
- 1816France decrees Bonaparte family excluded from the country forever
- 1820Royal Astronomical Society founded in England
- 1836Battle of Wetumka, Florida
- 1836HMS Beagle / Charles Darwin reach Sydney Australia
- 1839Anthracite coal 1st used to smelt iron, Mauch Chunk, Penn
- 1842Franciscan nuns begin Missionary work on Netherlands Antilles
- 1861FL state troops demand surrender of Ft Pickens
- 1863President Davis delivers his "State of Confederacy" address
- 1879British Zulu War begins: Lieutenant General Chelmsford invades Zululand
- 18961st X-ray photo in US (Dr Henry Smith, Davidson NC)
- 1900Freeland Colony founded in US
- 1903Harry Houdini performs at Rembrandt theater, Amsterdam
- 1903Rhodes Opera House burns in Boyertown Pa, killing 170
- 1904Southwest-Africa uprising under Samuel Maherero against German garison
- 19061st time Dow Jones closes above 100 (100.26)
- 1906Football rules committee legalizes forward pass
Born on Jan 12
- 1483Hendrik van Nassau-Dillenburg en Dietz: Gov / Viceroy of Holland
- 1492Andreas Alicatus: Italian author
- 1562Charles Emanuel I [the great]: Duke of Savoy
- 1576Peter Scriverius: Dutch lawyer / historian
- 1580Jean Baptiste van Helmont: Belgian chemist (found boiling pt temp)
- 1588Jose Ribera [Lo Spagnoletto]: Spanish painter
- 1599Adrian van Utrecht: Flemish painter
- 1638Ernst R Tarhemberg: Austrian Field Marshal (Turkish Wars)
- 1665Pierre de Fermat: French lawyer / mathematician
- 1674Reinhard Keiser: Composer
- 1711Gaetano Latilla: Composer
- 1715Jacques Duphly: Composer
- 1729Lazzaro Spallanzani: Modena, Italy -- Physiologist
- 1730Johann Joachim Christoph Bode: Composer
- 1737Brizio Petrucci: Composer
- 1749Ferdinand Trauttmansdorff: Austrian Earl / Prince / diplomat
- 1751Ferdinand I: King of Sicily and Naples
- 1751Jacob M R Lenz: Writer (Das Leidende Weib)
- 1780Wilhelm M L de Wette: German exegetist / theologist
- 1783Erik Gustaf Geijer: Swedish historian / poet (Natthimmelen)
- 1792Robert Patterson: Major General (Union volunteers), died in 1881
- 1804Hippolyte Monpou: Composer
- 1807Jan T Beelen: Dutch / Belgian bible expert
- 1808Paul "the Great" Taglioni: Vienna, Austria -- Ballet choreographer
- 1810Ferdinand II: King of Sicily
- 1814Jones Mitchell Withers: Major General (Confederate Army), died in 1890
- 1819Zealous Bates Tower: Bvt Major General (Union Army), died in 1900
- 1821Nikolai Afanisev: Composer
- 1825Joseph Robert Davis: Brigadier General (Confederate Army), died in 1896
- 1826Charles Cruft: Bvt Major General (Union volunteers), died in 1883
Died on Jan 12
- 0689Benedict Biscop: English saint
- 1167Aelred of Hexham / Rievaulx: English abbot / saint, dies at about 56
- 1390Peter van Herenthals: Dutch Theologist / church historian, dies at 67
- 1519Maximilian I of Hapsburg: German kaiser
- 1537Lorenzo di Credi: Italian painter
- 1674Giacomo Carissimi: Italian bandmaster / Composer (Jephta), dies at 68
- 1759Anne of Hannover: English princess, dies at 49
- 1765Johann Melchior Molter: Composer, dies at 68
- 1807Adriaan Kluit: Dutch historian, dies at 71
- 1807Joan Lucaz: Dutch Scholar / journalist / patriot, dies at 60
- 1829Friedrich von Schlegel: German cultural philosopher / poet, dies at 56
- 1829Michael Gottard Fischer: Composer, dies at 55
- 1839Joseph A Koch: Aust Painter / cartoonist / etcher / illustrator, dies at 70
- 1851Johan Herman Koekkoek: Painter, dies at 72
- 1860Martinus J Niewindt: Bishop on Curacao (christened slaves), dies at 63
- 1867Victor Cousin: French philosopher / Minister of Education, dies at 74
- 1925Oskar Brefeld: German botanist, dies at 85
- 1928Ruth Snyder: 1st woman to die in electric chair
- 1933Vaclav Suk: Composer, dies at 71
- 1940Erich R Jaensch: German psychologist (eidetiek), dies at 56
- 1943Jan R T Campert: Dutch resistance fighter / Poet (18 Dead), dies at 40
- 1947Jonas Cohn: German / English philosopher (Wertwissenschaft), dies at 77
- 1950Koos van de Griend: Composer, dies at 44
- 1953Simeon Roncal: Composer, dies at 82
- 1956John Raedecker: Dutch Sculptor (WWII Monument Amsterdam), dies at 70
- 1956Norman Kerry: Actor (Air Eagles, Phantom of Opera), dies at 61
- 1958Arthur Shepherd: Composer, dies at 77
- 1960Nevil Shute [Norway]: Eng / Aust Author (Town like Alice), dies at 60
- 1962Richard de Guide: Composer, dies at 52
- 1965Lorraine Hansberry: US playwright, dies in NYC, dies at 34
Historical events on January 13
- 0888Duke Odo becomes King of West-France
- 1099Crusaders set fire to Mara Syria
- 1547Earl Henry Howard of Surrey sentenced to death
- 1559Elizabeth I crowned Queen of England in Westminster Abbey
- 1610Galileo Galilei discovers Callisto, 4th satellite of Jupiter
- 1630Patent to Plymouth Colony issued
- 1695Jonathan Swift ordained an Anglican priest in Ireland
- 1733James Oglethorpe and 130 English colonists arrive at Charleston, South Carolina
- 1785John Walter publishes 1st issue of London Times
- 1794Congress changes US flag to 15 stars and 15 stripes
- 1830Great fire in New Orleans thought to be set by rebel slaves
- 1854Anthony Foss patents accordion
- 1863Chenille manufacturing machine patented by William Canter, New York City
- 1863Thomas Crapper pioneers one-piece pedestal flushing toilet
- 1869Colored National Labor Union, 1st Black labor convention
- 1869National convention of black leaders meets in Washington DC
- 1873P B S Pinchback relinquishes office at Louisiana Governor
- 1874Battle between jobless and police in NYC, 100s injuried
- 1874US troops land in Honolulu to protect the King
- 1882Richard Wagner completes his opera "Parsifal"
- 1883Fire in circus Ferroni in Berditschoft Poland kills 430
- 1888National Geographic Society founded (Washington, DC)
- 1893British Independent Labor Party forms (Keir Hardie as its leader)
- 1894Revolution in Sicily crushed by government troops
- 1902Textile workers strike in Enschede Netherlands till June 1
- 19061st radio set advertised (Telimco for $7.50 in Scientific American) claimed to receive signals up to one mile
- 1908French pilot Henry Farman is 1st European to fly roundtrip
- 1908Stanley Cup: Montreal Wanderers sweep Ottawa Victorias in 2 games
- 1911Roald Amundsens anchors at Walvis Bay
- 1914IWW-leader / songwriter Joe Hill arrested "Girl from Utah" East-Prussia
Born on January 13
- 1381St Colette: Abbess / Reformer (Poor Clares)
- 1406Matteo Palmieri: Italian writer (Della vita civile)
- 1505Joachim II Hector: Ruler (Brandenburg)
- 1596Jan J Goyen: Dutch landscape painter
- 1616Antoinette Bourignon: Flemish mystic / French religious fanatic
- 1628Charles Perrault: France -- Lawyer / writer (Mother Goose)
- 1683Johann Christoph Graupner: German composer
- 1690Gottfried Heinrich Stolzel: Composer
- 1727Johann Christoph Schmugel: Composer
- 1734Luca Sorkocevic: Composer
- 1778Anton Fischer: Composer
- 1788Carl Ludwig Cornelius Westenholz: Composer
- 1802Eduard von Bauernfeld: Vienna, Austria -- Comedic playwright
- 1807Napoleon Bonaparte Buford: Major General (Union volunteers), died in 1883
- 1808Salmon P Chase: (Sen-R) cabinet member, 6th chief justice (1864-73)
- 1812Humphrey Marshall: Brigadier General (Confederate Army), died in 1872
- 1815William Henry French: Major General (Union volunteers), died in 1881
- 1824Ignacy Marceli Komorowski: Composer
- 1835Gustaaf Rolin-Jaequemyns: Belgian jurist / Minister of the Interior
- 1850Leon Francis Victor Caron: Composer
- 1859Karl Bleibtreu: German author (Revolution of Literature)
- 1864Wilhelm K W Wien: German phyicist (Nobel 1911)
- 1866Vasily Sergeyevich Kalinnikov: Composer
- 1869Emanuele F: Duke of Aosta, Italian General (WWI) / fascist
- 1870Henryk Opienski: Polish composer / conductor (St Moniuszko)
- 1874Jozef E van Roey: Flemish Cardinal / Archbishop of Mechlin
- 1884Johannes Elsensohn: Dutch actor / writer (Arie, novel from the Jordan)
- 1884Sophie Tucker [Kalish]: Russia -- Singer / last of red hot mammas
- 1892Paul Smart: United States -- Yachtsman (1948 Olympics - Gold Medalist)
- 1893Clarke Ashton Smith: United States -- Sci-fi author (Lost Worlds, Genius Loci)
Died on January 13
- 0533Remigius van Reims: 1st Bishop of Reims (459-533) / saint, dies about 96
- 0858Aethelwolf: King of Wessex (Battle at Aclea)
- 0888Charles III [the Fat One]: King of Franconia / Roman Emperor
- 1049Derrick IV: Count of Holland (1039-49), dies in battle
- 1177Hendrik Jasomirgott Babenberg: Duke of Austria
- 1307Arnoud van Foreest: Dom deacon of Utrecht
- 1330Frederick III [the Handsome]: Duke of Austrian / German anti-king
- 1599Edmund Spenser: Poet (Faerie Queene), dies at about 46
- 1625Pieter Bruegel "the Older": (Bloemenbruegel), Flemish painter
- 1651Abraham C Bloemaert: Painter / cartoonist / engraver, dies at 86
- 1682Simon van Leeuwen: Dutch lawyer / historian, dies at 55
- 1691George Fox: Founder of Quakers, dies at 66
- 1702Peter Rabus: Dutch Poet / translator (Great Name Book), dies at 41
- 1762Leonhard Trautsch: Composer, dies at 68
- 1795Francois-Joseph Krafft: Composer, dies at 73
- 1797Elisabeth C von Brunswick-Bevern: Wife of Frederick II, dies at 81
- 1828Alexandre-Auguste Robineau: Composer, dies at 80
- 1838Ferdinand Reis: Composer, dies at 53
- 1864Stephen Foster: Composer (My Old Kentucky Home), dies at 37 in New York
- 1879WF Hendrik the Navigator: Prince of the Netherlands / Viceroy of Lux, dies at 58
- 1892Charles Albert White: Composer, dies at 62
- 1901Carlo Angeloni: Composer, dies at 66
- 1913Thomas P Krag: Norw Author / Novelist (Jon Graeff, Ulf Ran), dies at 44
- 1914Bernardus H Heldt: Dutch MP, dies at 72
- 1914Valentin de Zubiaurre y Unionbarrenechea: Composer, dies at 76
- 1924Georg H Quincke: German physicist (Test of Quincke), dies at 89
- 1928Johan Peter Koch: Danish officer / explorer, dies at 57
- 1929Wyatt Earp: US marshall (OK Corral), dies at 80
- 1930C-E Auguste Rateau: French inventor (R-steam turbine), dies at 66
- 1934Jean-Baptiste Marchand: Soldier / explorer (Sudan), dies at 70
Events on Jan 14
- 1236English King Henry III marries Eleonora of Provence
- 1526Charles V and Francis I sign Treaty of Madrid
- 1526Francis I forced to give up claims in Burgundy, Italy and Flanders
- 1601Church authorities burn hebrew books in Rome
- 16391st Connecticut constitution (Fundamental Orders) adopted in Hartford
- 1639Rodger Ludlow publishes"Fundamental Orders of Connecticut"
- 1641United East Indian Company conquerors city of Malakka, 7,000 killed
- 1659Battle at Elvas: Portuguese beat Spanish
- 1699Massachusetts holds day of fasting for wrongly persecuting "witches"
- 1717German mob leader "Sjako" sentenced to death in Amsterdam
- 1724Spanish King Philip V abdicates throne
- 1739England and Spain signs 2nd Convention of Pardo
- 1783Congress ratifies peace treaty between US and England
- 1784Revolutionary War ends; Congress ratifies Treaty of Paris
- 1785Mozart completes "Dissonantenkwartet" (opus 10)
- 1794Dr Jessee Bennet of Edom Va, performs 1st successful Cesarean section operation on his wife
- 1799Eli Whitney receives government contract for 10,000 muskets
- 1799King of Naples flees before advancing French armies
- 1813Gideon Hawley becomes 1st state school superintendent in US (NY)
- 1814King of Denmark cedes Norway to King of Sweden by treaty of Kiel
- 1847Conspiracy in New Mexico against US
- 1858French Emperor Napoleon III escapes attempt on his life by Felice Orsini, an Italian patriot who was later executed
- 1861Ft Pikens, Florida falls into state hands
- 1863Battle between gunboats at Bayou Teche, Louisiana
- 1864Battle of Cosby Creek, Tennessee
- 1864General Sherman begins his march to the South
- 1868NC constitutional convention meets in Raleigh
- 1868SC constitutional convention, meets with a black majority
- 1873"Celluloid" registered as a trademark
- 1873P B S Pinchback elected to Senate
Born on Jan 14
- 1451Franchinus Gaffurius: Composer
- 1566Angelo Notari: Composer
- 1592Sjihab al-Din Sultan Choerram Sjah Djahan: Leader of India
- 1615John Biddle: English Minister (Unitarian)
- 1618Jan Six: Dutch Mayor of Amsterdam
- 1655Angelo Predieri: Composer
- 1664Simon van Slingelandt: Dutch grand pensionary (1727-36)
- 1684Jean-Baptiste Vanloo: French painter
- 1705Jean-Baptiste C Bouvet de Lozier / Lozier-Bouvet: Governor (Reunion Is)
- 1722Friedrich Gottlob Fleischer: Composer
- 1751Corona Elizabeth Wilhelmine Schroter: Composer
- 1780Francois-Joseph Dizi: Composer
- 1798Isaac da Costa: Dutch writer / lawyer
- 1798Johan R Thorbecke: Premier of the Netherlands (Lib-1849..72)
- 1804John Park: Composer
- 1806Matthew Fontaine Maury: Naval Commander (Confederacy)
- 1812Carl Gradener: Composer
- 1814Johannes Josephus Viotta: Composer
- 1817Harmen S Sytstra: Dutch poet / editor (Iduna)
- 1819Fabio Campana: Composer
- 1819Frederick Steele: Major General (Union volunteers), died in 1868
- 1822Nicholas Mori: Composer
- 1831John Bullock Clark, Jr.: Brigadier General (Confederate Army), died in 1903
- 1834William Cleaver Francis Robinson: Composer
- 1836[Hugh] Judson Kilpatrick: Major General (Union volunteers), died in 1881
- 1839Emil Bohn: Composer
- 1841Berthe M P Morisot: French painter / aquarellist
- 1844Clara Kathleen Rogers: Composer
- 1845Henry C K Petty-Fitzmaurice: 5th marquess of Landsdowne / Governor-General of Canada
- 1850Jean de Reszke [Jan Mieczyslaw]: Polish tenor
Died on Jan 14
- 0973Ekkehard I: Monk of St Gallen (Vita Waltharii manu fortis)
- 1163Ladislaus I Arpad: King of Hungary (1162-63)
- 1301Andreas III Arpad: King of Hungary (1290-1301), dies at 50
- 1595Ferdinand: Archduke of Austria / Mayor of Bohemenia
- 1623Paolo Sarpi: Italian church Historian / politician, dies at 70
- 1648Casparus Barleaus: Flemish Theologist / Poet (Muiderkring), dies at 63
- 1742Edmund Halley: Genius eclipsed by Newton, dies at 85
- 1766Frederik V: King of Denmark / Norway (1746-66), dies at 42
- 1802Marie Allard: French ballerina, dies at 59
- 1817Pierre-Alexandre Monsigny: Composer, dies at 87
- 1822Franz Innocenz Joseph Kobell: German landscape painter, dies at 72
- 1830Johann G Repsold: German instrument maker, dies at 59
- 1847Gov Bent: 5 others in US occupation, killed by revolt in New Mexico
- 1868Heinrich Schenker: Austrian musicologist (Ursatz), dies at 66
- 1887Friedrich von Amerling: Austrian painter, dies at 83
- 1887Peter "Peerke" Donders: Missionary (Father of Melaatsen), dies at 77
- 1888Stephen Heller: Composer, dies at 74
- 1898Lewis Carroll: Writer (Alice in Wonderland), dies at 65
- 1901Charles Hermite: French Mathematician (e is transcendent), dies at 78
- 1901Mandell Creighton: English Bishop / historian, dies at 57
- 1901Victor Balaguer: Catalaans Historian / politician / author, dies at 76
- 1902Cato M Guldberg: Norwegian mathematician, dies at 65
- 1905Ernst Abbe: German physicist (Carl Zeiss Optics Company), dies at 64
- 1907Karl von Perfall: Composer, dies at 82
- 1908Holger Drachmann: Writer
- 1909Sinovi P Rozhestvensky: Russian Admiral, dies at 60
- 1912Otto Liebmann: German philosopher (Kant & Epigones), dies at 71
- 1916Otto Ammon: German anthropologist / sociologist, dies at 73
- 1924Arne Garborg: Norwegian playwright (Mannfolk), dies at 72
- 1925Willem Devout: Self employed (V & Dreesmann)