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September 12, 2026 Holiday:

The Start of Rosh Hashanah

Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, is a time of reflection, renewal, and celebration! During this sacred holiday, Jews around the world come together to mark the beginning of the High Holy Days, a period of introspection and spiritual growth. Traditionally, families gather for festive meals, often featuring sweet treats like apples and honey to symbolize a sweet new year. In synagogues, the shofar, a ram's horn, is sounded to awaken the soul and call upon individuals to repent and seek forgiveness, setting the tone for a year of personal growth and spiritual rejuvenation.

Learn more about The Start of Rosh Hashanah
Holidays on September 12, 2026:

Video Games Day

Join us on Video Games Day, 9/12/2026, as gamers of all ages unite to play, share, and discover new titles, honoring the creativity, innovation, and joy of gaming. more >>

National Chocolate Milkshake Day

Indulge in the creamy delight of chocolate milkshakes on National Chocolate Milkshake Day, September 12, 2026. more >>

Rosh Hashana

Rosh Hashana, the Jewish New Year, marks the start of the High Holy Days with reflection, forgiveness, and a fresh start, featuring the iconic shofar and sweet treats. more >>

World First Aid Day

World First Aid Day on 9/12/2026: Learn about the significance and importance of first aid training and emergency response. more >>

Native American Day

Native American Day, September 12, 2026: Honor the rich cultural heritage and contributions of Native American communities, learn about their traditions, and appreciate their diversity. more >>

World Dolphin Day

World Dolphin Day, 9/12/2026: Learn about the importance of protecting dolphins and their habitats, and join efforts to raise awareness and make a difference. more >>

National Hug and High Five Day

National Hug and High Five Day, 9/12/2026: Spread love, kindness, and positivity with warm hugs and high-fives, fostering community and boosting morale. more >>

National Day of Encouragement

National Day of Encouragement, 9/12/2026: Spread kindness, positivity, and motivation to uplift others and foster a sense of community. more >>

National Just One Human Family Day

National Just One Human Family Day, 9/12/2026: Embrace unity, kindness, and compassion on this heartwarming day that highlights our shared humanity. more >>
Birthdays on September 12:

Jesse Owens

Died in 1980, aged 66

A legendary athlete who shattered records and racial barriers at the 1936 Berlin Olympics, winning four gold medals in the 100m, 200m, 4x100m relay, and long jump events.

Hans Zimmer

68 Years Old

A renowned film composer and producer, crafting iconic scores for blockbuster movies like The Lion King, Inception, and Interstellar, elevating cinematic experiences worldwide.

Paul Walker

Died in 2013, aged 40

Star of the Fast and Furious franchise, bringing high-octane action and charm to the big screen.

Yao Ming

45 Years Old

A dominant center in the NBA, known for his impressive skills on the court and cultural impact as a Chinese player in the American league.

Louis C.K.

58 Years Old

A critically acclaimed comedian, actor, and writer, known for his unapologetic and introspective comedy style, which often tackles dark and relatable topics.

Jennifer Hudson

44 Years Old

Academy Award-winning vocalist and actress renowned for powerful, soulful performances in film and music, including Dreamgirls and The Secret Life of Bees.

Barry White

Died in 2003, aged 58

The velvety-voiced king of 1970s soul, famous for his smooth, bass-baritone sound and iconic hits like "I'm Gonna Love You Just a Little More Baby" and "You're the First, the Last,...

Neil Peart

Died in 2020, aged 67

A legendary drummer and primary lyricist for the iconic rock band Rush, known for his technical proficiency and poetic lyrics that explored themes of science fiction, fantasy, and ...

George Jones

Died in 2013, aged 81

A country music legend, known as "The Possum," renowned for his smooth, baritone voice and iconic hits like "He Stopped Loving Her Today" and "White Lightning."

Andrew Luck

36 Years Old

Quarterback who led the Indianapolis Colts to the playoffs multiple times and was a four-time NFL Pro Bowl selection, known for his exceptional passing accuracy and athleticism.

Sydney Sweeney

28 Years Old

Rising star of Hollywood, known for her captivating performances in popular TV shows like "Euphoria" and "The White Lotus", earning her a massive following among the young generati...

Ben Folds

59 Years Old

A singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, known for catchy, piano-driven pop-rock tunes and witty, relatable lyrics that often explore themes of love, relationships, and socia...

Events from History on September 12:
36 years ago
Germany and Four Powers sign reunification treaty in Moscow (Moscow, Soviet Union (now Russia)) 1990
In a groundbreaking moment, German leaders and the Four Powers (USA, UK, France, and the Soviet Union) gather in Moscow to sign the Treaty on the Final Settlement with Respect to Germany, paving the way for the long-awaited reunification of East and West Germany. This historic agreement marks the end of post-war occupation and sets the stage for Germany's rebirth as a united, sovereign nation. With this treaty, the two German states take a crucial step towards unity, ending decades of division and ushering in a new era of cooperation and progress.
93 years ago
Leó Szilárd conceives nuclear chain reaction idea at traffic light (Southampton Row, Bloomsbury, London, UK) 1933
Hungarian physicist Leó Szilárd was stuck at a red light on Southampton Row in Bloomsbury, London, when his mind started wandering. As he waited, he pondered a conversation he had with Ernest Rutherford, who dismissed the idea of nuclear energy. Szilárd wondered, what if you could split atoms to release more neutrons, leading to a chain reaction? His eureka moment would change the course of history, paving the way for nuclear power and atomic bombs. Little did he know, his idea would soon set off a chain reaction of its own, sparking a global nuclear arms race.
343 years ago
The Great Vienna Victory Against the Ottoman Empire (Vienna, Austria) 1683
The Ottoman Empire's seemingly unstoppable march into Europe was halted in its tracks when a coalition of European forces, led by the Habsburgs, banded together to defend Vienna against the invading Turks. The epic battle raged on September 12, 1683, as King John III Sobieski of Poland, aided by Holy Roman Emperor Leopold I, rallied their combined forces to drive the Ottomans back, securing a resounding victory that would alter the course of European history.
88 years ago
Adolf Hitler demands autonomy for Sudetenland Germans (Berchtesgaden, Germany) 1938
Sudetenland, a region of Czechoslovakia, was home to over 3 million ethnic Germans, and Adolf Hitler, eager to "liberate" them, demanded autonomy and self-determination for this minority group. This move sparked a massive crisis, as Czechoslovakia, Britain, and France were left scrambling to figure out how to respond to Hitler's latest power play. With the threat of war looming, the stage was set for a dramatic showdown that would change the course of history.
64 years ago
President Kennedy's Moonshot Speech at Rice University (Rice University, Houston, Texas, USA) 1962
President John F. Kennedy stood tall, his eyes gleaming with determination, as he addressed a packed stadium at Rice University in Houston, Texas. The year was 1962, and the space race was heating up. With the Soviet Union making strides in space exploration, Kennedy knew the US had to act fast. In a speech that would go down in history, Kennedy declared, "We choose to go to the Moon in this decade and do the other things, not because they are easy, but because they are hard." The crowd erupted in applause as Kennedy emphasized the importance of space exploration, not just for the US, but for humanity as a whole.
52 years ago
Emperor Haile Selassie deposed in Ethiopian military coup (Addis Ababa, Ethiopia) 1974
In a shocking turn of events, Ethiopia's revered monarch, Emperor Haile Selassie, was forcibly removed from power by a faction of the Ethiopian military known as the Derg. The once-mighty ruler, hailed as the "Messiah" by the Rastafari movement, was left powerless as the Derg seized control of the government, marking the end of a 58-year reign that had spanned nearly six decades.
Notable Deaths on September 12:
2003Johnny Cash Renowned singer-songwriter and musician who left a lasting impact on music.
1993Raymond Burr Canadian-American actor and director
2008David Foster Wallace Acclaimed author and essayist who explored complex human experiences.
1994Tom Ewell iconic American film and stage actor
2013Ray Dolby Pioneering engineer and businessman who revolutionized sound technology
1992Anthony Perkins American actor, singer, and director
2007Bobby Byrd Pioneering singer-songwriter and producer who shaped the music industry.
2014Joe Sample American pianist and composer who created iconic music and collaborated with famous musicians
2014Ian Paisley Evangelical pastor and politician who played a key role in Northern Ireland's politics
2000Stanley Turrentine Influential saxophonist and composer who contributed to the jazz world.
1977Robert Lowell American poet who explored the human condition
1869Peter Mark Roget English physician and author who compiled the thesaurus Thesaurus Linguae Anglorum
2017Edith Windsor Trailblazing LGBT rights activist who dedicated her life to promoting equality and justice.
1953Lewis Stone Veteran actor with decades of experience in Hollywood
2015Frank D. Gilroy Pioneering playwright and screenwriter renowned for his innovative storytelling and lyrical dialogue.
1987John Qualen Canadian-American actor
2013Candace Pert Renowned neuroscientist and pharmacologist who made groundbreaking discoveries
2012Tom Sims Innovative skateboarder and snowboarder who pioneered the action sports industry
2012Derek Jameson English journalist and broadcaster who covered major events and stories
1986Jacques Henri Lartigue French painter and photographer