1949 Soviet Union Ends Blockade of Berlin

On May 12th, 1949, the Soviet Union lifted its nearly year-long blockade of Berlin, after Western forces successfully carried out an airlift to supply the city's residents with food, fuel, and other essential goods. The blockade had been an intense standoff between the Soviet Union and the Western Allies, who were determined to maintain control over the sectors of Berlin they had occupied after World War II. The airlift, which lasted for almost a year, became a symbol of the West's resolve to resist Soviet pressure and protect the people of Berlin, ultimately leading to the collapse of the blockade and a victory for the Allies in the Cold War struggle.

🗞️Today’s Headlines

Everything important that’s ever happened on May 12:

2008 — A powerful earthquake struck Sichuan province in China, measuring 7.9 magnitude and killing nearly 70,000 people.

1972 — The Rolling Stones, led by Mick Jagger, released Exile on Main St., a double album that blended rock, blues, and country, becoming one of the defining works of their career.

1937 — King George VI was crowned at Westminster Abbey after the abdication of his brother, Edward VIII, a scandal for the British monarchy.

1926 — American explorer Richard E. Byrd and pilot Floyd Bennett claimed to have made the first flight over the North Pole in a Fokker monoplane.

1846 — The Donner Party left Independence, Missouri, for California, beginning a treacherous journey that ended in starvation and tragedy.

1780 — During the American Revolution, British forces captured Charleston, South Carolina, forcing Major General Benjamin Lincoln to surrender with 7,000 Continental troops.

🎂 Today’s Birthdays

On May 12, we’re singing to:

Florence Nightingale (1820) — British nurse, statistician, and social reformer known for pioneering modern nursing and improving sanitation in hospitals.

Dante Gabriel Rossetti (1828) — English artist and poet and co-founder of the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood, celebrated for his paintings and literary works.

Katharine Hepburn (1907) — American actress renowned for her strong-willed roles in The Philadelphia Story, Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner, and The African Queen.

Rami Malek (1981) — American actor, acclaimed for his portrayal of Freddie Mercury in Bohemian Rhapsody, which earned him an Academy Award.

 🪦Who Died Today?

On May 12, we’re saying goodbye to:

John Dryden (1700) — British poet, playwright, and critic recognized as England’s first Poet Laureate and a dominant literary figure of the Restoration era.

James Connolly (1916) — Irish labor leader and revolutionary and key figure in the Easter Rising executed for his role in the fight for Irish independence.

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