February 12 - The Day in History

February 12 : General Interest 2002 : Milosevic goes on trial for war crimes On this day in 2002, former Yugoslav president Slobodan Milosevic goes on trial at The Hague, Netherlands, on charges of genocide and war crimes in Bosnia, Croatia and Kosovo... read more

American Revolution 1789 : Ethan Allen dies http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/ethan-allen-dies Automotive 2008 : GM reports record loss, offers buyouts to 74,000 workers http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/gm-reports-record-loss-offers-buyouts-to-74000-workers Civil War 1828 : Rebel General Robert Ransom is born http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/robert-ransom-is-born Cold War 1988 : Russian ships bump U.S. destroyer and cruiser http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/russian-ships-bump-us-destroyer-and-cruiser Crime 1976 : Actor Sal Mineo is killed in Hollywood http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/actor-sal-mineo-is-killed-in-hollywood Disaster 2002 : Iranian jet slams into mountain http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/iranian-jet-slams-into-mountain General Interest 1793 : Congress enacts first fugitive slave law http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/congress-enacts-first-fugitive-slave-law 1865 : Garnet preaches to House on slavery and Civil War http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/garnet-preaches-to-house-on-slavery-and-civil-war 1912 : Last emperor of China abdicates http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/last-emperor-of-china-abdicates 1986 : Scharansky released http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/scharansky-released 1999 : President Clinton acquitted http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/president-clinton-acquitted Hollywood 2008 : Writers' strike ends after 100 days http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/writers-strike-ends-after-100-days Literary 1938 : Judy Blume, popular young-adult author, is born http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/judy-blume-popular-young-adult-author-is-born Music 1924 : Rhapsody In Blue, by George Gershwin, performed for first time http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/rhapsody-in-blue-by-george-gershwin-performed-for-first-time Old West 1915 : Lorne Greene is born http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/lorne-greene-is-born Presidential 1809 : Abraham Lincoln is born http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/abraham-lincoln-is-born Sports 1934 : Basketball great Bill Russell born http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/basketball-great-bill-russell-born Vietnam War 1972 : Cambodians launch attack to retake Angkor Wat http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/cambodians-launch-attack-to-retake-angkor-wat 1973 : Release of U.S. POWs begins http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/release-of-us-pows-begins World War I 1915 : British planes raid Belgian coast http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/british-planes-raid-belgian-coast 1917 : American schooner Lyman M. Law is sunk http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/american-schooner-lyman-m-law-is-sunk World War II 1941 : Rommel in Africa http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/rommel-in-africa

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- HISTORY Shop ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Find your favorite shows from HISTORY on DVD Shop our store today!

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- HISTORY Magazine ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Do you enjoy American History? If so, please consider subscribing to The History Channel Magazine. Learn insights into the significant events that helped shape America's past. Try the club today!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From our A+E Networks Family ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

BIO.com has made big changes! Check out our On This Day site for exclusive, new videos about the famous people who have made history in politics, sports, entertainment and more. BIO has also added brand new content, including more than 1,500 groups, over 300 new biographies, and dozens of new photo galleries. Plus, see how you and your friends are connected to famous icons, from Barack Obama to Lady Gaga, when you sign in to BIO.com via Facebook! See all these great features and more when you visit the all-new BIO.com.