What happened on March 12 in world history? Here are 4 events worth remembering: See them above in our 57-second video, and below for more details!
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Anne Frank is killed in Bergen-Belsen Camp
Anne Frank, the Jewish teenager whose diary became one of the most powerful accounts of the Holocaust, died in the Bergen-Belsen concentration camp.
- Anne and her family lived in a secret annex in Amsterdam for over two years before being discovered by the Nazis.
- She was sent to Auschwitz and later transferred to Bergen-Belsen, where she perished from typhus along with her sister Margot.
- The Diary of a Young Girl, published posthumously by her father Otto Frank, remains a symbol of resilience and human spirit in the face of oppression.
Paul McCartney marries Linda Eastman
Beatles legend Paul McCartney married photographer Linda Eastman in London, marking the beginning of a lifelong partnership in love and music.
- The couple wed in a civil ceremony at Marylebone Town Hall, with Linda’s daughter Heather becoming part of their new family.
- Linda became a member of McCartney’s post-Beatles band, Wings, and was known for her support of vegetarianism and animal rights.
- The couple remained together until Linda’s death in 1998.
California’s St. Francis Dam collapses, killing 600
One of the worst engineering failures in U.S. history, the collapse of the St. Francis Dam led to catastrophic flooding and massive loss of life in California.
- The dam, built to supply water to Los Angeles, failed just before midnight, releasing billions of gallons of water into the San Francisquito Canyon.
- The floodwaters swept through towns and farmlands, killing around 600 people and leaving thousands homeless.
- The disaster led to stricter dam safety regulations and highlighted the need for more rigorous engineering standards in large infrastructure projects.
Stromae is born
Belgian musician Stromae, known for his unique blend of electronic, hip-hop, and world music, was born in Brussels.
- His 2009 hit Alors on danse topped European charts, bringing him international recognition.
- Songs like Papaoutai and Formidable explore themes of identity, loneliness, and social issues with a mix of upbeat and melancholic sounds.
- Stromae’s distinctive style, innovative music videos, and introspective storytelling have made him one of the most influential francophone artists of his generation.