December 12: Beginning of the Yule Lads' arrival in IcelandGeorge W. Bush627 At the Battle of Nineveh, the Byzantine army under Emperor Heraclius defeated the forces of Sasanian emperor KhosrowII, commanded by Rhahzadh, near present-day Mosul, Iraq.1936 Republic of China leader Chiang Kai-shek was kidnapped by Marshal Chang Hsueh-liang, a former warlord of Manchuria.1988 Three trains collided near Clapham Junction railway station in London, killing 35 people and injuring 484 others.2000 The U.S. Supreme Court ruled in Bush v. Gore that the recount of ballots cast in Florida for the presidential election be stopped, effectively making George W. Bush (pictured) the winner.2021 At the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Max Verstappen overtook Lewis Hamilton on the final lap to become World Drivers' Champion.Geoffrey (d.1212)Edvard Munch (b.1863)Ikuhiko Hata (b.1932)Maafu Tukuiaulahi (d.2021)More anniversaries: December 11December 12December 13ArchiveBy emailList of days of the yearAbout