April 12

Friday 12, 2002:

Coup d'Etat against Hugo Chávez in Venezuela

Monday 12, 1954:

Bill Haley and His Comets record "Rock Around the Clock" in New York City. Initially unsuccessful, the recording would help launch the Rock and Roll revolution a year later.

Thursday 12, 1945:

President Franklin D. Roosevelt dies and Harry S. Truman is inaugurated as the 33rd President of the United States.

Monday 12, 1937:

Sir Frank Whittle ground-tests the first jet engine designed to power an aircraft, at the British Thomson-Houston factory in Rugby, England

Wednesday 12, 1606:

The Union Flag is adopted as the national flag of Great Britain.