Good Morning! It’s Wednesday, February 12, 2025. I am Dom Einhorn, your lead curator, and here are your insights into what makes this day in history relevant today. First time reading? Join our community of intellectually curious readers who explore the history behind every day. [Sign up here]

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Today in History

Marquee Event of the Day

> February 12, 1809 : British naturalist Charles Darwin, founder of the theory of evolution by natural selection, is born.

Why this matters: The birth of Charles Darwin marked the beginning of a scientific revolution that would fundamentally reshape our understanding of life on Earth. His theory of evolution by natural selection, published in On the Origin of Species (1859), challenged long-held beliefs about creation and sparked intense debate in both scientific and religious circles. Darwin’s work provided a unifying framework for biology, influencing fields such as genetics, paleontology, and ecology. His ideas not only transformed science but also had profound social and philosophical implications, shaping discussions on human origins, adaptation, and the interconnectedness of all living organisms. Today, his legacy continues to drive scientific inquiry and remains a cornerstone of modern evolutionary biology.

To learn more about Charles Darwin, please take this special quiz.

Notable Events

• February 12, 1818 - Chile declares its independence from Spain.

• February 12, 1554 - At 16, Lady Jane Grey, England’s titular queen, is executed in London by order of Mary I.

• February 12, 1909 - The NAACP (National Association for the Advancement of Colored People) is founded.

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Knowledge Gamified

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A recent New York Weekly article featured Dom Einhorn’s attempt to “Revolutionize Quizzing and Hyper-Targeted Advertising.” For transparency, Intelligent Games is the parent company of both the KRONIKL newsletter and Masters of Trivia, the quiz platform linked to many topics featured in this newsletter. An excerpt of the article reads:

Einhorn points to the company’s slogan to explain the value of Masters of Trivia’s platform. “Our slogan is ‘Knowledge Gamified’ and not ‘Gamified Knowledge’ for a good reason,” he explains. “We aim to educate and inform first and foremost, but we also know that most people need to be deeply engaged in the learning process. Hence, we added a heavy dose of entertainment and incentives to the mix.”

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Echoes in Time

Here are two events from February 12 that continue to resonate in the present day.

1. Event: February 12, 2002 - Slobodan Milošević, president of Yugoslavia from 1997 to 2000, is tried for war crimes in The Hague but died before the trial ended. Yugoslavia's president Slobodan Milošević was tried for war crimes at The Hague but died four years into the trial.

Lasting Significance: Slobodan Milošević's trial for war crimes in The Hague marked a pivotal moment in international justice. It set an important precedent by demonstrating that even high-ranking political leaders could be held accountable for their actions during conflict. Although Milošević died before the trial concluded, the proceedings spotlighted the brutal realities of the Balkan wars and reinforced the global commitment to prosecuting war crimes and crimes against humanity. This event has had a lasting impact on how international tribunals address state-sanctioned atrocities and has shaped the evolution of legal norms governing accountability in post-conflict societies.

2. Event: February 12, 1851 - Gold is discovered in east-central New South Wales, igniting Australia’s first gold rush.

Lasting Significance: The discovery of gold in east-central New South Wales sparked Australia’s first gold rush, transforming the nation’s economy, society, and global standing. It led to a massive influx of immigrants, particularly from China, Europe, and the United States, dramatically increasing Australia’s population and accelerating its development. The newfound wealth fueled infrastructure growth, expanded settlements, and helped shape Australia’s emerging identity as a land of opportunity. However, the gold rush also intensified conflicts over land and resources, particularly with Indigenous communities, and led to racial tensions and restrictive immigration policies. Ultimately, the event laid the foundation for Australia’s transition from a penal colony to a thriving, resource-rich nation.

In the Spotlight

Birthdays, Passings & Milestones
Highlighting the influential figures who were born or died on this day, along with their legacies.

• February 12, 1809 - Abraham Lincoln was born near Hodgenville, Kentucky.

• February 12, 2019 - Under the terms of the 2018 Prespa Agreement, the Republic of Macedonia officially became the Republic of North Macedonia.

• February 12, 1804 - German philosopher Immanuel Kant died in Königsberg, Prussia (now Kaliningrad, Russia).

Science & Discovery

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• February 12, 1948 - American computer scientist and futurist, Ray Kurzweil, is born.

• February 12, 1777 - Captain James Cook arrived at Queen Charlotte Sound, New Zealand, aboard HMS Resolution on his third Pacific voyage.

• February 12, 1935 - The first secret test of radio signals detecting aircraft, conducted by Robert Watson-Watt and Arnold Wilkins, takes place in Daventry, England.

Today in Finance

Brought to you by Born2Invest.
Curated reads and interesting tidbits from the world of finance.

• February 12, 1850 - The original manuscript of Washington's Farewell Address sold for $2,300.

• February 12, 1873 - The U.S. Congress passed the Coinage Act, ending bimetallism and establishing the gold standard.

• February 12, 2019 - The U.S. national debt surpassed $22 trillion for the first time, according to the U.S. Treasury.

• February 12, 2015 - The price of Bitcoin closes at $221.76.

Today in Sports

Brought to you by The Hunslet Wolves, a new UK-based rugby franchise coached by the former defensive head coach of the French National Team, David Ellis.

• February 12, 1934 - American basketball player, Bill Russell, is born.

• February 12, 1878 - Harvard player Frederick Thayer patents the baseball catcher's mask (Patent #200,358).

• February 12, 1908 - The New York to Paris auto race began in NYC, with George Schuster winning after 88 days behind the wheel.

In the Arts Today

• February 12, 1994 - Thieves broke into the National Gallery in Oslo and stole The Scream by Edvard Munch, one of several versions of the famous painting; it was later recovered.

• February 12, 2005 - Christo and Jeanne-Claude’s The Gates debuted in New York’s Central Park.

• February 12, 1938 - Best-selling author Judy Blume, known for her children's and young-adult books, was born in Elizabeth, New Jersey.

• February 12, 1924 - “Rhapsody In Blue,” by George Gershwin, performed for first time.

The Rest of the Story

• February 12, 1953 - The Egyptian government signed an agreement with Britain that granted Sudan self-government and assured self-determination for the Sudanese within three years.

• February 12, 1912 - Puyi, China's final emperor, abdicated at the end of the Chinese Revolution.

• February 12, 1941- German General Erwin Rommel arrives in Africa.

Quote of the Day

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Why KRONIKL? Inspired by the timeless concept of chronicles, KRONIKL is dedicated to bringing you the most intriguing, thought-provoking stories from this date. Culture, science, politics, and more — all condensed for a quick, insightful read that connects your present with our past.

*Disclosure: Masters of Trivia is a quiz platform founded by Dom Einhorn and owned by Intelligent Games LLC—the same company that brings you the KRONIKL newsletter.