It happened on a… December 12

2019

British General Election won by Boris Johnson’s Conservative Party in landslide win with 80 seat majority.

American Media Inc. publisher of “National Enquirer” admits paying hush money to mistresses of US President Donald Trump

Paul Martin becomes Prime Minister of Canada after resignation of Jean Chretien.

Jean Chrétien names Lise Thibault as Lieutenant Governor of Quebec; first woman and first handicapped person to hold the post.

“Rainman” directed by Barry Levinson and starring Dustin Hoffman and Tom Cruise premieres in New York (Best Picture 1989).

DC-8 crashes near Gander, Newfoundland; 258 die

Oiler Wayne Gretzky notches another NHL record, reaching his 50 goal mark in only 39 games.

“Saturday Night Fever”, a film starring John Travolta, premieres in NYC.

Arthur Ashe becomes 1st black to be ranked #1 in tennis.

Guglielmo Marconi sends the first transatlantic radio signal, from Poldhu in Cornwall to Newfoundland, Canada.

Opening of the Victoria Bridge to rail traffic, as first passenger train crosses the iron tubular structure.

1st Canadian coins circulated (1 cent, 5 cent, 10 cent & 20 cent).

Washington, DC, was established as the capital of the United States.

In Vienna, 22-year-old Ludwig van Beethoven received one of his first lessons in music composition from Franz Joseph Haydn.