April 12th
1861
The Civil War began when Fort Sumter was attacked.
1862
James J. Andrews led the raiding party that stole the Confederate locomotive "The General," inspiring the 1926 Buster Keaton movie.
1877
A catcher's mask was used in a baseball game for the first time by James Alexander Tyng.
1945
US President Franklin D. Roosevelt dies at 63 years old while in office; vice-president Harry Truman is sworn in as the 33rd President.
1955
The polio vaccine of Dr. Jonas Salk was called "safe, effective, and potent."
1961
Soviet cosmonaut Yuri A. Gagarin became the first human in space and also the first human to orbit the earth in a spacecraft.
1981
Former heavyweight boxing champion Joe Louis died at age 66.
1987
The first episode of "21 Jump Street" aired.
1989
Former middleweight boxing champion Sugar Ray Robinson died at age 67.
Birthdays
83 Jane Withers Actress
73 Charles Napier Actor
69 Herbie Hancock Jazz muscian
67 Frank Bank Actor ("Leave it to Beaver")
65 John Kay Rock singer (Steppenwolf)
63 Ed O'Neill Actor ("Married ... With Children")
62 Tom Clancy Author
62 Dan Lauria Actor ("The Wonder Years")
62 David Letterman Talk show host
59 David Cassidy Actor, singer ("The Partridge Family")
58 Tom Noonan Actor, playwright
55 Pat Travers Rock singer
53 Andy Garcia Actor
52 Suzzanne Douglas Actress
52 Vince Gill Country musician
47 Art Alexakis Rock singer (Everclear)
45 Amy Ray Folk singer, musician (Indigo Girls)
41 Alicia Coppola Actress
39 Nicholas Hexum Rock singer (311)
38 Nicholas Brendon Actor ("Buffy the Vampire Slayer")
38 Shannen Doherty Actress
35 Marley Shelton Actress
32 Jordana Spiro Actress
31 Guy Berryman Rock musician (Coldplay)
30 Claire Danes Actress
30 Jennifer Morrison Actress ("House M.D.")
19
LiamRoberts Cigar Asylum Inmate
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REALMCCOY Cigar Asylum Inmate