What Happened on December 12?

December 12 is National Poinsettia Day — celebrating the classic holiday plant — on the same date Marconi heard the first transatlantic radio signal in 1901, Kenya gained independence in 1963, and Pennsylvania ratified the Constitution in 1787.

• 1787 — Pennsylvania becomes the second state to ratify the U.S. Constitution

  On December 12, 1787, Pennsylvania ratified the Constitution — the second state after Delaware. Read the full story →

• 1901 — Marconi receives the first transatlantic radio signal

  On December 12, 1901, Guglielmo Marconi's team in Newfoundland heard the Morse letter S sent from England — the first radio signal across the Atlantic. Read the full story →

• 1911 — King George V announces Delhi will replace Calcutta as India's capital

  On December 12, 1911, at the Delhi Durbar, King George V announced that Delhi would become India's capital instead of Calcutta. Read the full story →

• 1917 — Father Edward Flanagan founds Boys Town in Nebraska

  On December 12, 1917, Father Edward Flanagan opened Boys Town near Omaha — a community for homeless and at-risk youth. Read the full story →

• 1963 — Kenya gains independence from Britain

  On December 12, 1963, Kenya became independent — ending decades of British colonial rule. Read the full story →

Famous birthdays

Gustave Flaubert (1821–1880) · Edvard Munch (1863–1944) · Frank Sinatra (1915–1998) · Jennifer Connelly (1970)

Days & observances

National Poinsettia Day · National Gingerbread House Day · Official Lost and Found Day · National Ambrosia Day