On This Day in History: May 12

Pope Sylvester II (born Gerbert of Aurillac) dies in Rome on May 12, 1003. His papacy contributed to the advancement of science and mathematics in Europe. He served as pope for just over four years and was 57 years old when he died. He was succeeded by Pope John XVII. Expand +

King Henry VIII of England orders the burning of all Lutheran books in London on May 12, 1521. Cardinal Wolsey led the condemnation, symbolizing England's opposition to Lutheranism.

The Dutch East India Company's forces defeat the Portuguese on a sustained conflict culminating in the capture of Colombo on May 12, 1656 in Sri Lanka.a sustained, The Dutch eventually expelled the Portuguese entirely by 1658, ending Portuguese rule in the region.

The Donner Party disaster - A group of American pioneers led by captain, George Donner traveling from the Midwest to California becomes stranded in the Sierra Nevada mountains during a very harsh winter. Reportedly, the extreme conditions led to cannibalism among those who survived when food ran out. It was the worst disaster of the overland migration to California. Donner Lake and Donner Pass in California, are named for the group. Forty of the 87 who began the trek died from starvation-related causes. The survivors were not rescued until the spring of 1847. More 

President Theodore Roosevelt travels to San Francisco and his arrival parade is captured on  on moving-picture film, making him one of the first presidents to have an official activity recorded in that new medium. Video

The body of Charles Lindbergh Jr. son of aviator Charles Lindbergh and Anne Morrow Lindbergh, was found in Hopewell Township, New Jersey. More

The coronation of George VI and his wife, Elizabeth takes place at Westminster Abbey, London;  following the abdication of his older brother Edward who abdicated so he could marry American socialite Wallis Simpson. More

The Soviets end the blockade of Berlin which had began 11-months earlier on June, 24 1948. The Soviet Union blockaded all road, rail, and water routes into West Berlin, effectively isolating it from the rest of Western Germany. The Allies response was an Airlift (Berlin Airlift) which successfully supplied West Berlin during the blockade. The Airlift continued until September of 1949 with a total of 278,228 flights delivering over 2.3 million tons of supplies More

An 8.0 earthquake occurs in the province of Sichuan, China. The earthquake ruptured the fault for over 150 mi, with surface displacements of several meters. Over 69,000 people lost their lives. The earthquake was felt as far away as Beijing and Shanghai; approximately 1000 miles away. where office buildings swayed with the tremor, as well as Bangkok, Thailand and Hanoi, Vietnam. Strong aftershocks, continued to hit the area for several months, causing further casualties and damage. More