1861CE
War
Civil War Begins
Confederate forces open fire on Fort Sumter in Charleston Harbor, South Carolina, beginning the American Civil War — the deadliest conflict in American history.
Daily Chronicle
April 12
3 Historical Records
1947CE
Birth
Tom Clancy Born
An American novelist known for his technically detailed espionage and military-science storylines set during and after the Cold War, featuring character Jack Ryan.
1961CE
Exploration
Yuri Gagarin — First Human in Space
Soviet cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin becomes the first human to journey into outer space, completing one orbit of the Earth aboard the Vostok 1 spacecraft in 108 minutes.