On 12 September in poetry and history
Poets born or who died on this date, plus historical events that happened on this day across history.
610 poets with calendar dates · 6,535 events with calendar dates in the catalogue
4 birthdays · 1 death anniversary · 7 world events on 12 September
Birthdays
-
William Bell Scott
12 September 1811 – 22 November 1890 (~79)
Born 12 September 1811 — would have been 215 in 2026
-
Fiona Macleod
12 September 1855 – 12 December 1905 (~50)
Born 12 September 1855 — would have been 171 in 2026
-
William Sharp
12 September 1855 – 12 December 1905 (~50)
Born 12 September 1855 — would have been 171 in 2026
-
Louis MacNeice
12 September 1907 – 3 September 1963 (~56)
Born 12 September 1907 — would have been 119 in 2026
Death anniversaries
-
Patrick Reginald Chalmers
27 June 1872 – 12 September 1942 (~70)
Died 12 September 1942 — 84 years ago on this date
World events on this day
-
Integrated Circuit
In 1958, Jack Kilby at Texas Instruments and Robert Noyce at Fairchild Semiconductor independently developed the integrated circuit or microchip. This miniaturized electronics on a single semiconductor piece. The invention enabled modern computing, consumer devices, and the digital revolution.
-
Battle of Marathon
The Battle of Marathon in 490 BC was a crucial conflict where Athenian and Plataean forces achieved a decisive victory against the first Persian invasion of Greece led by Darius I. This battle is celebrated for its demonstration of the effectiveness of citizen-soldiers and strategic military planning. The victory at Marathon not only boosted Greek morale but also laid the foundation for the eventual rise of Athens as a powerful city-state and a center of culture and democracy.
-
The Battle of Vienna halts Ottoman expansion
In 1683, Ottoman forces besieged Vienna but were defeated by a coalition led by the Polish king John III Sobieski. The battle marked a major turning point in Ottoman-Habsburg rivalry. It began a period of Habsburg advances in central Europe.
-
The Siege of Vienna and the Polish Winged Hussar Armor Suite
At the Siege of Vienna, Austria, the decisive turning point was achieved by the massive cavalry charge of the Polish Winged Hussars led by King John III Sobieski. These elite horsemen wore a distinctive light steel cuirass, an open-faced szyszak helmet, and large wooden frames mounted with eagle feathers attached to their backs. While the steel plate shielded them against Ottoman sabers and matchlock fire, the feathered wings made a terrifying rushing sound in motion that panicked enemy horses.
-
First Oktoberfest Held in Munich
The first Oktoberfest was held in Munich in 1810 to celebrate the marriage of Crown Prince Ludwig of Bavaria to Princess Therese of Saxe-Hildburghausen. This event quickly evolved into an annual festival, becoming the world's best-known beer festival, attracting millions of visitors each year. Oktoberfest not only showcases Bavarian culture and traditions but also has significant economic implications for the region, boosting tourism and local businesses.
-
The Launch of Tinder Redefines Courtship Cultures
The launch of Tinder in 2012 revolutionized modern dating by introducing a location-based swiping mechanism that fundamentally altered how people connect. This app popularized casual dating and temporary hookups, reshaping courtship cultures in the digital age. Tinder's impact on social interactions and relationships has sparked discussions about the implications of technology on romance and intimacy.
-
Father's Death and Mother's Remarriage
In London, England, John Donne's father, a prosperous ironmonger, died when Donne was only four years old. His mother, Elizabeth Heywood, soon remarried John Syminges, a physician, who helped raise Donne and his siblings in their Catholic household amid religious tensions.