On January 12, 1906, the Dow Jones Industrial Average closed above 100 for the first time.Image of the floor at the New York Stock exchange, a few years later in 1908, via Wikimedia Commons, public domain.
On January 12, 1792, Revolutionary War veteran and former Governor of South Carolina, Thomas Pinckney, was appointed by George Washington to serve as U.S. Minster to Great Britain. Years later after serving as Governor and Ambassador, Pinckney was asked by President James Madison to enter military service during the War of 1812, which he accepted. Image via Wikimedia Commons, public domain.
A photograph of the USS Essex taking spray on January 12, 1960 during its deployment to the Mediterranean.Image via Wikimedia Commons, public domain
It is needless and unnecessary in this biography of General Mercer to recount the further movements, marches, and counter marches of Washington and his army. In this battle (Princeton) General Mercer, “who seems to have excited the brutality of the British by the gallantry of his resistance,” was stabbed by their bayonets in seven different parts of his body, and they inflicted on his head many blows with the butt-end of their muskets, only ceasing this butchery when they believed him dead. As soon after the battle as possible, General Mercer was removed to an adjacent farmhouse, owned by Mr. Clark, where Mrs. Clark and her daughter tenderly nursed him, being assisted by Major Lewis, who was delegated by General Washington to go there for that purpose. Dr. Bush, of Philadelphia, and Dr. Archibald Alexander, of Augusta County, Virginia, who was then a surgeon of the Virginia troops, were at Mercer s bedside doing everything possible to alleviate his sufferings, which were intense and acute. Their services and ministrations were without avail, for on January 12, 1777, he died in the arms of Major Lewis. The angel of death wooed him to a brighter and better land, and the recording angel wrote in the great book…“Well done.He had willingly sacrificed his life for the liberties of the people of his adopted land. For whether on the scaffold high, Or in the battle’s van, The noblest death that man can die Is when he dies for man.“From: The life of General Hugh Mercer by John T. Goolrick, published in 1906. https://archive.org/details/genhughmercer00goolrich
Developer of America’s Lincoln Highway, Carl G. Fisher, was born in Greensburg, Indiana on January 12, 1874.Having success in the automotive industry Fisher also became principal of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.He later focused on real estate in Miami, but lost most of his fortune after the Great Miami Hurricane of 1926, the Crash of 1929 and other personal setbacks. Image via Wikimedia Commons, public domain
The first African American cadet of West Point, James W. Smith, reading his defense during his third court-martial on January 12, 1871 which resulted in his suspension. In 1997 James W. Smith was posthumously commissioned as a second lieutenant. Image via NYPL Digital Collections, no known restrictions
A cover to the Philadelphia Sunday Press-Special features for Sunday, January 12, 1896 Features Include: “Mrs. General Grant – Talks Freely about the Old Commander and gives Remarkable Experiences” & “City Skating Ponds: The favorite sport of old and young at this season and how it is enjoyed”Image via Wikimedia Commons, no known restrictions
“Life is not always a matter of holding good cards, but sometimes, playing a poor hand well.”Jack London, who was born on today’s date January 12, 1876 in San Francisco, California.Photo: Jack London (date unknown)Bain Collection – Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons
John Hancock, the first person to sign The Declaration of Independence, was born on January 12, 1737 (old style date) in Braintree, Massachusetts.Image via National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution, no known restrictions
Senator Hattie W. Caraway at the U.S. Capitol in the mid 1930sOn January 12, 1932, Hattie W. Caraway became the first female elected to the U.S. Senate. Image via Wikimedia Commons, public domain
Born January 12, 1884 Mary Louise “Texas” Guinan was a vaudeville singer, an actress on stage and screen, and a producer of silent films. With the start of prohibition she opened a number of speakeasy night clubs. Texas often greeted regulars with “Hello Sucker! Come on in and leave your wallet on the bar.” Image via Wikimedia Commons, copyright expired, public domain in the US.
On January 12, 1906, the American Intercollegiate Football Rules Committee legalized the forward pass According to Spalding’s Official Foot Ball Guide published in 1906…“The most radical of all changes made, however, has been the introduction of the forward pass, the rule for this reading as follows: One forward pass shall be allowed to each scrimmage, provided such pass be made by a player who was behind the line of scrimmage when the ball was put in play, and provided the ball, after being passed forward, does not touch the ground before being touched by a player of either side.” https://archive.org/details/officialnational04nation/page/95Photo: Bradley Robinson throwing the first forward pass later that same year in September of 1906via Wikimedia Commons, public domain
American actor and singer Tex Ritter was born on January 12, 1905 in Murvaul, Texas.In his early career Tex performed on Broadway. Photo: Capitol Records, Public domain via Wikimedia Commons
On January 12, 1957, Elvis Presley recorded “All Shook Up” at Radio Recorders in Hollywood. Photo of Elvis with Scotty Moore and Bill Black a few months before the recording of All Shook Up via Wikimedia Commons, public domain
Jeff Bezos, the founder of Amazon, at 3 years old in 1967On January 12, 1964, Jeff Bezos was born in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Photo via Alamy
Burt Ward as Robin and Adam West as Batman in the TV series “Batman”On January 12, 1966 “Batman” debuted on Network TV First run episodes ran for 3 seasons between 1966-1968. Image via Wikimedia Commons, public domain
On January 12, 1981 “Dynasty” premiered on Network TV The program ran for 9 seasons. Image of the Dynasty cast via Alamy
