This Day in History: February 12

1700: The Great Northern War begins in Northern Europe

The war was fought between Denmark-Norway, Saxony, and Russia against the Swedish Empire. It lasted for 21 years and had a significant impact on the political and economic landscape of Europe.

1909: The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) is founded in the U.S.

The NAACP is a civil rights organization formed to fight for the rights of African Americans. It played a crucial role in the American civil rights movement, including the landmark Brown v. Board of Education case in 1954.

1912: The last Emperor of China abdicates at the age of 6

Puyi, the last Qing Emperor of China, was forced to abdicate after losing the support of the Chinese people and the "mandate of heaven." He was expelled from the Forbidden City in 1924 and died in 1967 at the age of 61.

1924: George Gershwin's "Rhapsody in Blue" premieres

The iconic piece is among Gershwin's best-known compositions and one of the most popular pieces of the symphonic jazz genre. It was performed by the Paul Whiteman Orchestra in New York City.

1947: Christian Dior presents his first influential collection, named the "New Look"

The collection was a departure from the boxy and masculine styles of the war era and featured soft shoulders, nipped-in waists, and full skirts. It revolutionized women's fashion and cemented Dior's place as a leading fashion designer.

1994: Edvard Munch's "The Scream" is stolen

The iconic painting, one of a series of four, was stolen from the National Gallery of Norway in Oslo. It was recovered several months later, but the theft raised questions about the security of art institutions around the world.

1999: US President Bill Clinton acquitted by the Senate in his impeachment trial

Clinton had been impeached by the House of Representatives on charges of perjury and obstruction of justice related to his affair with White House intern Monica Lewinsky. However, he was acquitted by the Senate, and his presidency continued until 2001.

2001: NEAR Shoemaker spacecraft touchdown in the "saddle" region of 433 Eros

The spacecraft became the first to land on an asteroid and provided scientists with valuable information about the asteroid's composition and structure.

2002: The trial of Slobodan Milošević begins at The Hague

The former President of Yugoslavia and Serbia was charged with war crimes, genocide, and crimes against humanity during the conflicts in the Balkans in the 1990s. However, he died four years later before the trial's conclusion.

2013: North Korea allegedly conducts its third nuclear test

The country claimed that it had successfully tested a nuclear device that could be weaponized. The test was widely condemned by the international community and led to increased tensions on the Korean Peninsula.