2012#Metaphysical predictions

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From left, clockwise: the passenger cruise ship [[Costa Concordia lies capsized after the Costa Concordia disaster; damage to Casino Pier in Seaside Heights, New Jersey as a result of Hurricane Sandy; people gather at a Mayan temple to commemorate the end of 13th bʼakʼtun in the Mayan calendar on December 21, when it was predicted a doomsday event would occur; NASA's Curiosity Rover lands on the surface of Mars; the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting caused turmoil across the United States; K-pop artist Psy performs his hit single "Gangnam Style", which became a cultural phenomenon in 2012; the elementary particle, the Higgs boson, dubbed "The God Particle", is discovered by CERN and revolutionizes quantum physics; the 2012 Summer Olympics are held in London, United Kingdom|300x300px|thumb|right]]

2012 was designated as:

International Year of Cooperatives{{cite web|title=2012 - International Year of Cooperatives|url=https://www.un.org/en/events/coopsyear/|publisher=United Nations|access-date=April 14, 2015|ref=2012 - International Year of Cooperatives|archive-date=November 10, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111110040232/https://www.un.org/en/events/coopsyear/|url-status=live}}
International Year of Sustainable Energy for All{{cite web|title=2012 - International Year of Sustainable Energy for All|url=https://www.un.org/en/events/sustainableenergyforall/|publisher=United Nations|access-date=April 14, 2015|ref=2012 - International Year of Sustainable Energy for All|archive-date=November 2, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111102055457/https://www.un.org/en/events/sustainableenergyforall/|url-status=live}}

Events

=January=

January 4 – The Cicada 3301 internet hunt begins.
January 12 – Peaceful protests begin in the Romanian city of Târgu Mureș, protesters expressing solidarity towards certain figures in the medical field and calling for the resignation of president Traian Băsescu. The protests would soon spread through all of the country, marking the start of a long civil unrest in Romania, lasting up to November 2015.
January 13 – The passenger cruise ship Costa Concordia runs aground off the coast of Italy, causing 32 deaths.{{Cite news|date=2012-01-14|title=Italy cruise ship Costa Concordia accident eyewitness accounts|language=en-GB|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-16561382 |first1=Alexis |last1=Akwagyiram |access-date=2022-01-23|archive-date=January 23, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220123132730/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-16561382|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|date=2012-03-22|title=Costa Concordia: Five more bodies found|language=en-GB|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-17472345|access-date=2022-01-23|archive-date=January 23, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220123132733/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-17472345|url-status=live}}
January 23 – Iran–European Union relations: the European Union adopts an embargo against Iran in protest of its continued effort to enrich uranium.{{cite news |author=Jonathan Marcus |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-16674660 |title=EU Iran sanctions: Ministers adopt Iran oil imports ban |work=BBC News |date=2012-01-23 |access-date=2012-05-06 |archive-date=October 11, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181011231029/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-16674660 |url-status=live }}

=February=

February 1 – Egypt's deadliest football incident known as the Port Said Stadium riot is sparked after local Port Said Al Masry fans attack supporters of Cairo-based team Al Ahly SC. The massacre results in 74 deaths: 72 Al Ahly fans, 1 Al Masry fan and 1 police officer. Most of the deaths are caused by stabbing, fans thrown off the stands and a stampede.
February 6
Queen Elizabeth II celebrates her "Diamond Jubilee", marking 60 years as Queen of the United Kingdom.
A magnitude 6.7 earthquake strike in the central Philippines island of Negros, leaving 112 people dead.{{cite web|title=Deaths from Earthquakes in 2012|url=http://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/eqarchives/year/2012/2012_deaths.php|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130327084344/http://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/eqarchives/year/2012/2012_deaths.php |publisher= USGS |archive-date=March 27, 2013 |access-date= March 9, 2022 |url-status=dead }}
February 19 – Iran suspends oil exports to Britain and France, following sanctions put in place by the European Union and the United States in January.{{cite news | url=https://edition.cnn.com/2012/02/19/world/meast/iran-oil-exports/index.html | title=Iran suspends oil exports to France, UK | work=CNN News | date=February 19, 2012 | access-date=February 19, 2012 | author= | archive-date=February 20, 2012 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120220110442/http://edition.cnn.com/2012/02/19/world/meast/iran-oil-exports/index.html?hpt=wo_c2 | url-status=live }}
February 21 – Greek government-debt crisis: Eurozone finance ministers reach an agreement on a second, €130-billion Greek bailout.{{cite news | url=http://www.smh.com.au/business/world-business/euro-zone-strikes-deal-on-greece-bailout-20120221-1tkxm.html | title=Euro zone strikes deal on Greece bailout | publisher=The Sydney Morning Herald | agency=Reuters | date=February 21, 2012 | access-date=February 25, 2012 | archive-date=February 24, 2012 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120224011153/http://www.smh.com.au/business/world-business/euro-zone-strikes-deal-on-greece-bailout-20120221-1tkxm.html | url-status=live }}
February 27 – Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh formally transfers power to Vice President Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi, after a year of mass protests, ending his 33-year-long reign.

=March=

March 1 – Sauli Niinistö is inaugurated as the 12th President of Finland.{{Cite web|url=https://yle.fi/a/3-5297162|title=Sauli Niinistö is Finland's 12th president|website=Yle|date=2012-02-05|access-date=2023-08-17|archive-date=May 31, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230531002457/https://yle.fi/a/3-5297162|url-status=live}}
March 4
A series of explosions is reported at a munitions dump in Brazzaville, the capital of the Republic of the Congo, with at least 250 people dead.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-17249480|title=Brazzaville munitions dump blasts 'kill scores'|work=BBC News|date=March 4, 2012|access-date=October 9, 2020|archive-date=March 4, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120304130645/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-17249480|url-status=live}}
Vladimir Putin is elected President of Russia.
March 5 – Air date of Kony 2012 (viral documentary film) on YouTube.{{cite web|url=http://www.theyorker.co.uk/news/citynews/10807 |title=Kony fever hits York! |date=March 7, 2012 |work=The Yorker |author=Neylon, Stephanie |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120308142114/http://www.theyorker.co.uk/news/citynews/10807 |archive-date=March 8, 2012 }}{{cite web|url=http://www.metro.co.uk/tech/892373-kony-2012-campaign-shedding-light-on-uganda-conflict-a-huge-online-success|title=KONY 2012: Campaign shedding light on Uganda conflict an online success |date=March 7, 2012|work=Metro|author=Molloy, Mark|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120309103031/http://www.metro.co.uk/tech/892373-kony-2012-campaign-shedding-light-on-uganda-conflict-a-huge-online-success|archive-date=March 9, 2012|url-status=dead }}{{cite web|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2012/03/07/kony-2012-invisible-children-documentary-sheds-light-on-uganda-conflict-video_n_1326183.html|title=Kony 2012: Invisible Children Documentary Sheds Light On Uganda Conflict (VIDEO) |date=March 7, 2012|work=Huffington Post|author=Nelson, Sara C.|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141118023620/http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2012/03/07/kony-2012-invisible-children-documentary-sheds-light-on-uganda-conflict-video_n_1326183.html?ref=uk|archive-date=November 18, 2014|url-status=live}}
March 12 – A coach carrying school pupils and teachers crashes while travelling through Sierre Tunnel on the A9 motorway in western Switzerland. Of the 52 people on board, 28 are killed, among them 22 children.
March 13 – After 246 years since its first publication, the Encyclopædia Britannica discontinues its print edition.{{cite news |author=McCarthy, Tom |date=2012-03-13 |title=Encyclopædia Britannica halts print publication after 244 years |url=https://www.theguardian.com/books/2012/mar/13/encyclopedia-britannica-halts-print-publication?newsfeed=true |work=The Guardian |access-date=2012-03-14 |location=London |archive-date=February 3, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170203041335/https://www.theguardian.com/books/2012/mar/13/encyclopedia-britannica-halts-print-publication?newsfeed=true |url-status=live }}
March 15 – Communist party chief of Chongqing Bo Xilai, well known for his neo-Maoist leanings and policies, is removed from his post after a large scandal involving the murder of British businessman Neil Heywood and an incident involving the Chongqing police chief Wang Lijun.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-china-17377445|title=Bo Xilai removed by China from Chongqing leader post|work=BBC News|date=March 15, 2012|access-date=February 24, 2021|archive-date=February 19, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210219052710/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-china-17377445|url-status=live}}
March 22
The President of Mali, Amadou Toumani Touré, is ousted in a coup d'état after mutinous soldiers attack government offices.{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2012/03/23/world/africa/mali-coup-france-calls-for-elections.html |url-access=subscription |title=Soldiers Overthrow Mali Government in Setback for Democracy in Africa |author=Adam Nossiter |date=March 22, 2012 |work=The New York Times |access-date=March 22, 2012 |archive-date=March 30, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190330031937/https://www.nytimes.com/2012/03/23/world/africa/mali-coup-france-calls-for-elections.html |url-status=live }}
Pakistan wins the 2012 Asia Cup cricket tournament.

=April=

April 6 – The National Movement for the Liberation of Azawad unilaterally declares the independence of Azawad from Mali.{{cite news|url=http://www.france24.com/en/20120406-france-24-exclusive-tuareg-rebels-declare-independence-mlna-mali-ansar-dine-azawad|title=Tuareg rebels declare independence in north Mali|publisher=France 24|date=2012-04-06|access-date=2012-04-06|archive-date=April 8, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120408061146/http://www.france24.com/en/20120406-france-24-exclusive-tuareg-rebels-declare-independence-mlna-mali-ansar-dine-azawad|url-status=live}}
April 11
Kim Jong Un was elected First Secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea, and his father, Kim Jong Il, was given the appellation "Eternal General Secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea".{{cite web |title=Kim Takes More Top Posts |author=Chris Green |access-date=12 April 2012 |url=http://www.dailynk.com/english/read.php?cataId=nk01700&num=9100 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120415020037/http://www.dailynk.com/english/read.php?cataId=nk01700&num=9100 |archive-date=15 April 2012 |date=12 April 2012}}
An 8.6 earthquake strikes Indonesia triggering a small tsunami that hits the coast of Aceh.
April 12 – Mutinous soldiers in Guinea-Bissau stage a coup d'état and take control of the capital city, Bissau. They arrest interim President Raimundo Pereira and leading presidential candidate Carlos Gomes Júnior in the midst of a presidential election campaign.{{cite web |url=https://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5gGdGd-oKyai6M1KEUxMzkKCkPAfQ?docId=8ed769267a0140e4974585dc57dcc99a |first1=Krista |last1=Larson |website=Google News |title=Guinea-Bissau prime minister arrested |agency=Associated Press |date=2012-04-13 |access-date=2012-05-06 |archive-date=April 13, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120413175154/http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5gGdGd-oKyai6M1KEUxMzkKCkPAfQ?docId=8ed769267a0140e4974585dc57dcc99a |url-status=dead }}
April 13 – Kwangmyŏngsŏng-3, a North Korean Earth observation satellite, explodes shortly after launch. The United States and other countries had called the impending launch a violation of United Nations Security Council demands. The launch was planned to mark the centenary of the birth of Kim Il Sung, the founder of the republic.{{cite news|last1=Choe|first1=Sang-hun |first2=Steven Lee |last2=Myers |title=North Korea Says It Will Launch Satellite Into Orbit|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2012/03/17/world/asia/north-korea-satellite-launch-missile-test.html |url-access=subscription |work=The New York Times|access-date=March 16, 2012|date=March 16, 2012|archive-date=December 15, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211215161756/https://www.nytimes.com/2012/03/17/world/asia/north-korea-satellite-launch-missile-test.html|url-status=live}}
April 20 – Bhoja Air Flight 213 crashes near Rawalpindi, Pakistan, killing all 127 people on board.{{cite web |title=ASN Aircraft accident Boeing 737-236A AP-BKC Islamabad-Benazir Bhutto International Airport (ISB) |url=https://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=20120420-0 |website=Aviation Safety Network |access-date=31 March 2022 |archive-date=November 27, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181127121313/http://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=20120420-0 |url-status=live }}
April 25 – Former Liberian President Charles Taylor is found guilty on 11 counts of aiding and abetting war crimes and crimes against humanity during the Sierra Leone Civil War.{{cite news | url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-17864387 | work=BBC | title=Taylor Sierra Leone war crimes verdiact welcomed | date=April 26, 2012 | access-date=May 1, 2012 | archive-date=April 28, 2012 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120428194607/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-17864387 | url-status=live }}

=May=

May 2 – A pastel version of The Scream, by the Norwegian painter Edvard Munch, sells for US$120 million in a New York City auction, setting a new world record for an auctioned work of art.{{cite news|title=Edvard Munch's iconic artwork The Scream sold for $120m|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-17926519|access-date=May 3, 2012|date=May 3, 2012 |work=BBC News|archive-date=April 27, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190427233017/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-17926519|url-status=live}}{{cite news|last=Michaud|first=Chris|title=Munch's "The Scream" sells for record $120 million |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/entertainment-us-thescream-auction-idUSBRE84200M20120503|access-date=May 3, 2012|date=May 3, 2012|work=Reuters|archive-date=March 21, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220321100139/https://www.reuters.com/article/entertainment-us-thescream-auction-idUSBRE84200M20120503|url-status=live}}
May 6 – Legislative elections are held in Greece to elect all 300 members of the Hellenic Parliament and the New Democracy party led by Antonis Samaras, comes out as the largest party winning 108 out of 300 seats.{{Cite web |url=http://ekloges-prev.singularlogic.eu/v2012a/public/index.html?lang=en#%7B%22cls%22:%22main%22,%22params%22:%7B%7D%7D |title=Parliamentary Elections 2012 |access-date=2022-03-28 |website=ekloges-prev.singularlogic.eu |archive-date=June 20, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120620224248/http://ekloges-prev.singularlogic.eu/v2012a/public/index.html?lang=en#%7B%22cls%22:%22main%22,%22params%22:%7B%7D%7D |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |date=2012-05-07 |title=Angry Greeks reject bailout, risk euro exit |website=Reuters |url=http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/05/06/us-greece-idUSBRE8440DG20120506 |access-date=2022-03-28 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120507054315/http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/05/06/us-greece-idUSBRE8440DG20120506 |archive-date=May 7, 2012 }}
May 12–August 12 – The 2012 World Expo takes place in Yeosu, South Korea.[http://eng.expo2012.kr/main.html 2012 World Expo (English)] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120521232610/http://eng.expo2012.kr/main.html |date=May 21, 2012 }} Retrieved January 23, 2012.
May 19 – Chelsea wins the 2011-12 UEFA Champions League held in Munich, Germany by beating the home side Bayern Munich in the final.{{Cite news|title=Chelsea 1-1 Bayern Munich (aet, 4-3 pens)|language=en-GB|work=BBC Sport|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/18044385|access-date=2021-01-04|archive-date=May 13, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170513004040/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/18044385|url-status=live}}
May 20 – An annular solar eclipse visible from Asia and North America is the 58th solar eclipse from 73 solar eclipses of Solar Saros 128.
May 22 – Tokyo Skytree, the tallest self-supporting tower in the world at 634 metres high, is opened to the public.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-18141311 |title=High winds mar opening of Tokyo's Skytree tower |work=BBC News |date=2012-05-22 |access-date=2012-07-04 |archive-date=May 22, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120522193506/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-18141311 |url-status=live }}
May 22–26 – The Eurovision Song Contest 2012 takes place in Baku, Azerbaijan, and is won by Swedish entrant Loreen with the song "Euphoria".
May 25 – Houla massacre takes place, perpetrated by the Syrian Arab Army, with 108 being killed.

=June=

June 3 – Dana Air Flight 0992, on a flight from Abuja to Lagos, Nigeria, suffered a dual-engine failure during its approach to Lagos where it crashed onto buildings, killing all 153 people on board and six on the ground.
June 5–6 – The century's second and last solar transit of Venus occurs. The next pair are predicted to occur in 2117 and 2125.{{cite web|url=http://eclipse.gsfc.nasa.gov/OH/transit12.html|title=NASA Transit of Venus|author=NASA|access-date=January 23, 2012|archive-date=June 6, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120606063537/http://eclipse.gsfc.nasa.gov/OH/transit12.html|url-status=live}}
June 6 – 2012 Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus outbreak first identified.
June 7 – Morley and Dianella in Perth, Western Australia, have a once in a decade tornado.
June 8 – UEFA Euro 2012, hosted by Poland and Ukraine, begins in Warsaw, with a match between Poland and Greece, which ends 1-1.
June 17 – Snap legislative elections are held in Greece, following failure to form a government, to elect all 300 members of the Hellenic Parliament and the New Democracy party, led by Antonis Samaras, comes out as the largest party winning 129 out of 300 seats.{{Cite web |url=http://ekloges-prev.singularlogic.eu/v2012b/public/index.html?lang=en#%7B%22cls%22:%22main%22,%22params%22:%7B%7D%7D |title=Parliamentary Elections June 2012 |access-date=2022-03-28 |website=ekloges-prev.singularlogic.eu |archive-date=September 26, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170926132030/http://ekloges-prev.singularlogic.eu/v2012b/public/index.html?lang=en#%7B%22cls%22:%22main%22,%22params%22:%7B%7D%7D |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |date=2012-06-18 |title=Greek pro-bailout parties secure ruling majority |website=Reuters |url=http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/06/17/us-greece-election-idUSBRE85F05320120617 |access-date=2022-03-28 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120618035004/http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/06/17/us-greece-election-idUSBRE85F05320120617 |archive-date=June 18, 2012 }}
June 18 – Shenzhou 9, a Chinese spacecraft carrying three Chinese astronauts, including the first-ever female, docks manually with orbiting module Tiangong-1, making this the third country, after the United States and Russia, successfully to perform the mission.{{cite web|last1=Barbosa|first1=Rui|title=China's Shenzhou-9 successfully docks with Tiangong-1|url=http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2012/06/chinas-shenzhou-9-successfully-docks-with-tiangong-1/|website=NASASpaceflight.com|date=June 18, 2012|access-date=April 29, 2015|ref=China’s Shenzhou-9 successfully docks with Tiangong-1|archive-date=August 12, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180812054211/https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2012/06/chinas-shenzhou-9-successfully-docks-with-tiangong-1/|url-status=live}}
June 21 – The Congress of Paraguay approves the impeachment of president Fernando Lugo.
June 22 – Fernando Lugo is removed from power. Vice President Federico Franco becomes the new president of Paraguay.
June 24 – Lonesome George, the last known individual of the Pinta Island tortoise subspecies, dies in Galápagos National Park, thus making the subspecies extinct.{{cite news|title=Famed Galapagos tortoise dies|url=https://www.usatoday.com/tech/science/environment/story/2012-06-24/tortiose-species-extinct/55798794/1|work=USA Today|date=June 24, 2012|access-date=August 23, 2017|archive-date=July 6, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120706133544/http://www.usatoday.com/tech/science/environment/story/2012-06-24/tortiose-species-extinct/55798794/1|url-status=dead}}
June 30 – Mohamed Morsi, a member of the Muslim Brotherhood, is elected 5th President of Egypt, the first elected democratically by the Egyptian people, sparking mixed reactions and protests throughout the country.{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2012/06/25/world/middleeast/mohamed-morsi-of-muslim-brotherhood-declared-as-egypts-president.html|title=Mohamed Morsi of Muslim Brotherhood Declared as Egypt's President|work=The New York Times|date=June 24, 2012|access-date=July 31, 2018|last1=Kirkpatrick|first1=David D.|archive-date=December 15, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211215182708/https://www.nytimes.com/2012/06/25/world/middleeast/mohamed-morsi-of-muslim-brotherhood-declared-as-egypts-president.html|url-status=live}}

=July=

July 1 – The final match of the UEFA Euro 2012 takes place in Kyiv between Spain and Italy. Spain wins 4–0, achieving victorious from the third international tournament in a row, after winning UEFA Euro 2008 and the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
July 4
CERN announces the discovery of a new particle with properties consistent with the Higgs boson after experiments at the Large Hadron Collider.{{cite press release |url=http://press.cern/press-releases/2012/07/cern-experiments-observe-particle-consistent-long-sought-higgs-boson |title=CERN experiments observe particle consistent with long-sought Higgs boson |publisher=CERN |date=July 4, 2012 |access-date=November 20, 2016 |archive-date=November 21, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171121031500/http://press.cern/press-releases/2012/07/cern-experiments-observe-particle-consistent-long-sought-higgs-boson |url-status=live }}{{cite web | url = http://cms.web.cern.ch/news/observation-new-particle-mass-125-gev | title = Observation of a New Particle with a Mass of 125 GeV | first = Lucas | last = Taylor | date = July 4, 2012 | website = CMS Public Website | publisher = CERN | access-date = July 8, 2012 | archive-date = July 5, 2012 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120705040217/http://cms.web.cern.ch/news/observation-new-particle-mass-125-gev | url-status = live }}{{cite web|title=Latest Results from ATLAS Higgs Search|publisher=ATLAS|url=http://www.atlas.ch/news/2012/latest-results-from-higgs-search.html |date=July 4, 2012 |access-date=July 4, 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120707132113/http://www.atlas.ch/news/2012/latest-results-from-higgs-search.html|archive-date=July 7, 2012 }}[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vXZ-yzwlwMw Video (04:38)] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211215183624/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vXZ-yzwlwMw |date=December 15, 2021 }} – CERN Announcement (4 July 2012) Of Higgs Boson Discovery.{{cite news |last=Overbye |first=Dennis |title=A New Particle Could Be Physics' Holy Grail |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2012/07/05/science/cern-physicists-may-have-discovered-higgs-boson-particle.html |date=July 4, 2012 |newspaper=The New York Times |access-date=July 4, 2012 |archive-date=July 4, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120704202256/http://www.nytimes.com/2012/07/05/science/cern-physicists-may-have-discovered-higgs-boson-particle.html |url-status=live }}
Sport Club Corinthians Paulista wins the Copa Libertadores by beating the Boca Juniors.
July 20 – 2012 Aurora, Colorado shooting: 12 people are killed and 58 are injured in a mass shooting at a movie theater in Aurora, Colorado. The shooter, James Holmes, opens fire on a crowd during a screening of The Dark Knight Rises.{{cite web|url=http://gma.yahoo.com/colorado-batman-movie-shooting-suspect-phd-student-085940589--abc-news-topstories.html|title=Colorado Movie Theater Shooting: 70 Victims The Largest Mass Shooting|work=Yahoo!|publisher=Gma.yahoo.com|date=2012-07-20|access-date=2012-08-18|archive-date=July 21, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120721004136/http://gma.yahoo.com/colorado-batman-movie-shooting-suspect-phd-student-085940589--abc-news-topstories.html|url-status=dead}}
July 21 – Turkish adventurer Erden Eruç becomes the first person in history to complete a solo human-powered circumnavigation of the Earth.
July 23 – The Solar storm of 2012 is an unusually large coronal mass ejection emitted by the Sun which barely misses the Earth by nine days. If it had hit, it would have caused up to US$2.6 trillion in damages to electrical equipment worldwide.{{cite news|last1=Phillips|first1=Tony|title=Near Miss: The Solar Superstorm of July 2012|url=https://science.nasa.gov/science-news/science-at-nasa/2014/23jul_superstorm/|access-date=6 September 2020|agency=NASA|publisher=Science@NASA|date=23 July 2014|archive-date=July 25, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140725000533/https://science.nasa.gov/science-news/science-at-nasa/2014/23jul_superstorm/|url-status=live}}
July 27–August 12 – The 2012 Summer Olympics are held in London, England, United Kingdom.{{cite web|url=http://www.london2012.com/|title=London 2012|access-date=January 23, 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20130228114959/http://www.london2012.com/|archive-date=February 28, 2013}}
July 30–31 – In the worst power outage in world history, the 2012 India blackouts leave 620 million people without power.{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2012/jul/31/india-blackout-electricity-power-cuts|title=India blackouts leave 700 million without power|date=July 31, 2012|author=Helen Pidd|access-date=July 31, 2012|work=The Guardian|location=London|archive-date=June 5, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130605230637/http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/jul/31/india-blackout-electricity-power-cuts|url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=https://www.usatoday.com/news/world/story/2012-07-31/india-power-outage/56600520/1|author=Hriday Sarma and Ruby Russell|title=620 million without power in India after 3 power grids fail|date=July 31, 2012|access-date=July 31, 2012|work=USA Today|archive-date=March 4, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304055256/http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/story/2012-07-31/india-power-outage/56600520/1|url-status=live}}{{cite news|title=India's Mass Power Failure Worst Ever in World History |url=http://news.outlookindia.com/items.aspx?artid=770631 |work=Outlook |agency=Press Trust of India|date=August 1, 2012 |access-date=August 1, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120801052804/http://news.outlookindia.com/items.aspx?artid=770631 |archive-date=August 1, 2012 }}

=August=

August 1 – Microsoft finishes development of Windows 8, with general availability announced for October 26.{{Cite web |last=Warren |first=Tom |date=2012-08-01 |title=Microsoft completes Windows 8 development, announces release to manufacturing |url=https://www.theverge.com/2012/8/1/3188541/windows-8-rtm-development-complete |access-date=2023-12-22 |website=The Verge |language=en}}
August 6 – Curiosity, the Mars Science Laboratory mission's rover, successfully lands on Mars.{{cite web |url=http://www.space.com/13501-nasa-mars-rover-curiosity-atlas5-rocket.html |title=NASA's Next Mars Rover Hoisted Atop Rocket |date=November 4, 2011 |publisher=Space.com |access-date=2011-11-04 |archive-date=November 6, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111106200548/http://www.space.com/13501-nasa-mars-rover-curiosity-atlas5-rocket.html |url-status=live }}
August 24 – The House of Representatives of Japan passes a resolution criticizing the President of South Korea Lee Myung-bak's visit to the disputed Liancourt Rocks.{{Cite web|url=http://english.kyodonews.jp/news/2012/08/178302.html|title=Login - Kyodo News|access-date=March 1, 2020|archive-date=August 29, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120829070807/http://english.kyodonews.jp/news/2012/08/178302.html|url-status=live}}{{importance inline|date=May 2020}}
August 25 – The Voyager 1 space probe becomes the first human-made object to successfully exit the Solar System and enter Interstellar space, and to an extent, becoming the first Interstellar probe, pioneering Interstellar exploration.
August 31 – Armenia severs diplomatic relations with Hungary, following the extradition to Azerbaijan and subsequent pardoning of Ramil Safarov, who was convicted of killing an Armenian soldier in Hungary in 2004. The move is also met with fierce criticism from other countries.{{cite web|last=Gorondi |first=Pablo |url=https://montrealgazette.com/life/Azerbaijani+military+officer+serving+life+murder+Hungary+freed+when/7173300/story.html |title=Azerbaijani military officer serving life for murder in Hungary is freed when sent home |website=Montreal Gazette |date=2012-08-31 |access-date=2012-11-29 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121111220948/http://www.montrealgazette.com/life/Azerbaijani%2Bmilitary%2Bofficer%2Bserving%2Blife%2Bmurder%2BHungary%2Bfreed%2Bwhen/7173300/story.html |archive-date=November 11, 2012 }}

=September=

September 4 – Windows 7 overtakes Windows XP in market share globally.{{cite news |url=http://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2012/09/chrome-growth-picks-up-as-windows-7-becomes-the-worlds-most-used-os/ |title=Chrome growth picks up; Windows 7 becomes the world's most used OS |work=Ars Technica |date=2012-09-04 |access-date=2024-09-02 |archive-date=2012-09-06 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120906194258/http://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2012/09/chrome-growth-picks-up-as-windows-7-becomes-the-worlds-most-used-os/ |url-status=live}}
September 7 – Canada officially cuts diplomatic ties with Iran by closing its embassy in Tehran, and orders the expulsion of Iranian diplomats from Ottawa, over support for Syria, nuclear plans and human rights abuses.{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2012/sep/07/canada-cuts-diplomatic-ties-iran |title=Canada cuts diplomatic ties with Iran |work=The Guardian |date=2012-09-07 |access-date=2012-09-08 |location=London |archive-date=April 9, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170409022214/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2012/sep/07/canada-cuts-diplomatic-ties-iran |url-status=live }}
September 11–27 – A series of terrorist attacks are directed against United States diplomatic missions worldwide, as well as diplomatic missions of Germany, Switzerland and the United Kingdom. In the US, opinions are divided over whether the attacks are a reaction to a YouTube trailer for the film Innocence of Muslims. In Libya, US ambassador J. Christopher Stevens is among those killed during attacks in Benghazi.{{cite web |url=https://www.npr.org/2012/09/20/161450341/official-versions-diverge-over-u-s-consulate-attack |title=U.S., Libyan Versions Of Consulate Attack Diverge |publisher=NPR |date=2012-09-20 |access-date=2012-11-29 |archive-date=September 21, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120921082750/https://www.npr.org/2012/09/20/161450341/official-versions-diverge-over-u-s-consulate-attack |url-status=live }}{{cite web|date=2012-10-12|url=http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/opinion/readersrespond/bs-ed-embassy-attack-20121012,0,5150938.story|title=Consulate attack in Libya|website=Baltimore Sun|access-date=2012-11-29|archive-date=December 4, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121204170801/http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/opinion/readersrespond/bs-ed-embassy-attack-20121012,0,5150938.story|url-status=dead}}{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2012/09/14/world/middleeast/mideast-turmoil-spreads-to-us-embassy-in-yemen.html?pagewanted=all |title=Turmoil Over Contentious Video Spreads to Yemen and Iran |work=The New York Times |date=2012-09-13 |access-date=2012-09-13 |first1=Nasser |last1=Arrabyee |first2=Alan |last2=Cowell |first3=Rick |last3=Gladstone |archive-date=February 7, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170207172612/http://www.nytimes.com/2012/09/14/world/middleeast/mideast-turmoil-spreads-to-us-embassy-in-yemen.html?pagewanted=all |url-status=live }}{{cite news |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/widespread-protests-against-us-over-anti-muslim-film/ |title=Widespread protests against U.S. over anti-Muslim film |work=CBS News |date=2012-09-14 |access-date=2012-09-14 |archive-date=September 14, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120914235010/http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-202_162-57512841/widespread-protests-against-u.s-over-anti-muslim-film/ |url-status=live }}{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/9543241/US-embassy-in-Yemen-stormed-live.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/9543241/US-embassy-in-Yemen-stormed-live.html |archive-date=January 12, 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=Middle East protests against US embassies - live |work=The Telegraph |date=2012-09-14 |access-date=2012-09-14 |location=London |first=Raf |last=Sanchez}}{{cbignore}}
September 22 – The United Kingdom informs the World Health Organization about a novel coronavirus case originating from Saudi Arabia.{{cite web |title=Novel coronavirus infection in the United Kingdom |url=https://www.who.int/csr/don/2012_09_23/en/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121002054153/http://www.who.int/csr/don/2012_09_23/en/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=October 2, 2012 |website=World Health Organization |access-date=30 December 2020 |date=23 September 2012}}

=October=

October 14 – Austrian skydiver Felix Baumgartner becomes the first person to break the sound barrier without any machine assistance, during a record space dive out of the Red Bull Stratos helium-filled balloon from 128,000 ft ({{convert|24|mi|km}}) over Roswell, New Mexico in the United States.[http://www.cnn.com/2012/10/14/us/skydiver-record-attempt/index.html?hpt=hp_t1 (CNN)] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210420150002/https://www.cnn.com/2012/10/14/us/skydiver-record-attempt/index.html?hpt=hp_t1 |date=April 20, 2021 }}. Retrieved October 14, 2012.[http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/felix-baumgartner-feel-broke-sound-barrier-article-1.1183735 NYDaily News:Red Bull Stratos] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121018071420/http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/felix-baumgartner-feel-broke-sound-barrier-article-1.1183735 |date=October 18, 2012 }} Retrieved October 15, 2012.{{cite news|url=http://www.newsday.com/news/nation/felix-baumgartner-s-jump-from-space-s-edge-watched-by-millions-1.4115479|title=Felix Baumgartner's jump from space's edge watched by millions|agency=Associated Press|date=October 15, 2012|access-date=October 15, 2012|archive-date=October 18, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121018071353/http://www.newsday.com/news/nation/felix-baumgartner-s-jump-from-space-s-edge-watched-by-millions-1.4115479|url-status=dead}}
October 16 – Seven paintings worth $25 million are stolen from the Kunsthal in Rotterdam, the Netherlands.{{cite news|last=Kreijger|first=Gilbert|title=Dutch art heist nets works by Monet, Picasso, Matisse|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/entertainment-us-crime-dutch-paintings-idUSBRE89F0OX20121016|newspaper=Reuters|date=October 16, 2012|access-date=July 5, 2021|archive-date=December 15, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211215184731/https://www.reuters.com/article/entertainment-us-crime-dutch-paintings-idUSBRE89F0OX20121016|url-status=live}}[https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-19959224 Monet and Picasso among works stolen from Dutch museum.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211215184739/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-19959224 |date=December 15, 2021 }} BBC News. October 16, 2012{{Cite news |date=October 16, 2012 |title=Thieves grab Picasso, Monets from Dutch museum in early-hours heist |url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/museums/several-valuable-paintings-stolen-in-heist-from-dutch-exhibition-featuring-picasso-matisse/2012/10/16/50120994-1764-11e2-a346-f24efc680b8d_story.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121017081147/http://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/museums/several-valuable-paintings-stolen-in-heist-from-dutch-exhibition-featuring-picasso-matisse/2012/10/16/50120994-1764-11e2-a346-f24efc680b8d_story.html |archive-date=2012-10-17 |newspaper=The Washington Post |agency=Associated Press}}[http://news.sky.com/story/998409/stolen-paintings-include-picasso-and-freud Stolen Paintings Include Picasso And Freud]. Sky News. October 16, 2012.
October 22 – November 2 – Hurricane Sandy, the largest Atlantic hurricane on record (as measured by diameter, with tropical-storm-force winds spanning 900 miles (1,400 km)), wreaks havoc, resulting in 233 total deaths and $68.7 billion (2012 USD) damage.{{Cite web|url=https://weather.com/storms/hurricane/news/superstorm-sandy-anniversary-20141029|title=Superstorm Sandy Anniversary: Remembering Hurricane Sandy Two Years Later|website=The Weather Channel|access-date=March 1, 2020|archive-date=November 20, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141120010651/https://weather.com/storms/hurricane/news/superstorm-sandy-anniversary-20141029|url-status=live}}
October 26 – Windows 8 is released to the general public by Microsoft.{{Cite web |last=Ingraham |first=Nathan |date=2012-07-18 |title=Windows 8 will be available on October 26th |url=https://www.theverge.com/microsoft/2012/7/18/3167951/windows-8-launch-date-october-26th |access-date=2023-12-22 |website=The Verge |language=en}}
October 28 – Jorge Lorenzo becomes the World Champion of the 2012 Grand Prix motorcycle racing season.

=November=

November 6 – 2012 United States presidential election: Barack Obama is reelected President of the United States, defeating his Republican challenger Mitt Romney.
November 13 – A total solar eclipse occurs in parts of Australia and the South Pacific. It is the 45th of 72 solar eclipses of Solar Saros 133.
November 14–21 – Israel launches Operation Pillar of Defense against the Palestinian-governed Gaza Strip, killing Hamas military chief Ahmed Jabari. In the following week 140 Palestinians and five Israelis are killed in an ensuing cycle of violence. A ceasefire between Israel and Hamas is announced by Egyptian Foreign Minister Mohamed Kamel Amr and US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton after the week-long escalation in hostilities in Southern Israel and the Gaza Strip.{{cite web|url=http://www.aljazeera.com/news/middleeast/2012/11/20121114142116909809.html|title=Hamas military chief killed in Israeli attack|publisher=Al Jazeera English|date=November 14, 2012|access-date=November 15, 2012|archive-date=November 14, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121114163948/http://www.aljazeera.com/news/middleeast/2012/11/20121114142116909809.html|url-status=live}}{{cite news|title=Hamas remain defiant as Israeli strikes hit Gaza|url=http://www.euronews.com/2012/11/15/hamas-remain-defiant-as-israeli-strikes-hit-gaza/|access-date=November 15, 2012|newspaper=Euronews|date=November 15, 2012|archive-date=October 31, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201031193034/https://www.euronews.com/2012/11/15/hamas-remain-defiant-as-israeli-strikes-hit-gaza|url-status=dead}}[https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2012/11/21/greater-role-for-egypt-in-hamas-israel-ceasefire/1720099/ USA Today News] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211215185526/https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2012/11/21/greater-role-for-egypt-in-hamas-israel-ceasefire/1720099/ |date=December 15, 2021 }} Report on Conflict Treaty. Retrieved November 23, 2012.[https://www.nytimes.com/2012/11/22/opinion/a-new-israel-hamas-cease-fire.html The New York Times] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211215185526/https://www.nytimes.com/2012/11/22/opinion/a-new-israel-hamas-cease-fire.html |date=December 15, 2021 }} Report on Conflict Treaty. Retrieved November 23, 2012.[http://www.cnn.com/2012/11/21/world/meast/gaza-israel-strike/index.html?hpt=wo_c1 CNN Report] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201114211418/http://www.cnn.com/2012/11/21/world/meast/gaza-israel-strike/index.html?hpt=wo_c1 |date=November 14, 2020 }} Report on Conflict Treaty. Retrieved November 23, 2012.
November 25–December 9 – Typhoon Bopha, known as "Pablo" in the Philippines, kills at least 1,067 with around 838 people missing. The typhoon causes considerable damage in the island of Mindanao.{{cite web|title=Philippine typhoon toll continues to climb|url=http://www.aljazeera.com/news/asia-pacific/2012/12/201212102229486150.html|publisher=Al Jazeera|access-date=December 10, 2012|archive-date=December 11, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121211090549/http://www.aljazeera.com/news/asia-pacific/2012/12/201212102229486150.html|url-status=live}}{{cite news|title=Philippines, leftist rebels declare truces in disaster areas|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-philippines-typhoon-idUSBRE8B903R20121210|work=Reuters|access-date=December 10, 2012|date=December 10, 2012|archive-date=March 4, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304143212/http://www.reuters.com/article/us-philippines-typhoon-idUSBRE8B903R20121210|url-status=live}}{{cite web|title='Pablo:' 890 missing, 714 dead - NDRRMC|url=http://www.rappler.com/nation/17720-pablo-toll-reaches-714|website=Rappler|date=December 11, 2012|access-date=December 11, 2012|archive-date=December 11, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121211062347/http://www.rappler.com/nation/17720-pablo-toll-reaches-714|url-status=live}}
November 29 – The UN General Assembly approves a motion granting Palestine non-member observer state status.{{cite news|last=Vick|first=Karl|url=https://world.time.com/2012/11/29/why-palestine-will-win-big-at-the-un/|title=Why Palestine Will Win Big at the UN|magazine=Time|date=November 22, 2012|access-date=November 29, 2012|archive-date=April 28, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190428154618/http://world.time.com/2012/11/29/why-palestine-will-win-big-at-the-un/|url-status=live}}

=December=

December 4-6 – Egyptian protestors protest outside the presidential palace against the 2012 constitutional declaration which gave President Morsi influence over the judiciary and turns violent when Morsi supporters clashed with anti-Morsi protestors. It led to the intervention of security forces. The incident caused the deaths of at least 10, including anti-Morsi protestors and supporters of Morsi as well as hundreds of injuries.{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2012/dec/05/morsi-supporters-protest-presidential-palace-cairo |title=Morsi supporters protest outside presidential palace in Cairo |author= Harriet Sherwood |work=The Guardian |date=5 December 2012 |accessdate=17 April 2025}}
December 6 – The U.S. state of Washington becomes the first jurisdiction in the modern world to officially legalize the possession of cannabis for personal use.{{Cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/uk-usa-marijuana-washington-idUSLNE8B502120121206|title=Marijuana goes legal in Washington state|first=Laura L.|last=Myers|newspaper=Reuters|date=December 6, 2012|via=www.reuters.com|access-date=February 24, 2021|archive-date=December 16, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211216211326/https://www.reuters.com/article/uk-usa-marijuana-washington-idUSLNE8B502120121206|url-status=live}}
December 6–16 – The 2012 FIFA Club World Cup is held in Japan and won by Sport Club Corinthians Paulista.
December 8 – The UN Climate Change Conference in Qatar agrees to extend the Kyoto Protocol until 2020.{{Cite news |last=Harrabin |first=Roger |date=December 8, 2012 |title=Climate talks: UN forum extends Kyoto Protocol to 2020 |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-20653018 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180716140524/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-20653018 |archive-date=July 16, 2018 |access-date=June 22, 2018 |work=BBC News}}
December 10 – The Séléka overthrows the government of the Central African Republic which leads to the outbreak of a Civil war.
December 12
North Korea successfully launches satellite Kwangmyongsong-3 Unit 2.{{Cite web|url=http://www.korean-books.com.kp/KBMbooks/en/book/common/11015.pdf|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20211213211312/http://www.korean-books.com.kp/KBMbooks/en/book/common/11015.pdf|url-status=dead|title=Archived book|archivedate=December 13, 2021}}
December 12 is the last time in the 21st century that the month, day and final two digits of the year are the exact same (12/12/12). The next time this will happen will be on New Year's Day in 2101 (01/01/01).
December 14 – Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting: Adam Lanza kills his mother before shooting and killing twenty students and six teachers, as well as himself, at Sandy Hook Elementary in Newtown, Connecticut. It becomes the deadliest school shooting at a K-12 school in U.S. history.
December 17 – Spanish bank Grupo Santander announces the acquisition of the remaining 10% of Banesto it did not yet own, effectively absorbing it into Banco Santander.{{cite web |title=Santander absorbs Banesto and Banif and shuts branches |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/business-20754294 |website=BBC |access-date=17 November 2020 |date=17 December 2012 |archive-date=August 31, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200831040401/https://www.bbc.com/news/business-20754294 |url-status=live }}
December 18 – At least 55 people drown after an overcrowded boat capsizes off the coast of Somalia.{{Cite web|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2012/12/21/dozens-of-migrants-dead-or-lost-off-somalia|title=Dozens of migrants dead or lost off Somalia|website=www.aljazeera.com|access-date=October 9, 2020|archive-date=September 27, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200927095903/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2012/12/21/dozens-of-migrants-dead-or-lost-off-somalia/|url-status=live}}
December 21 – 2012 phenomenon: End of 13th b'ak'tun in the Mayan calendar, supposed end of the world according to new age beliefs. Festivities took place to commemorate the event in the countries that were part of the Maya civilization (Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador), with main events at Chichén Itzá in Mexico and Tikal in Guatemala.{{cite news |date=21 December 2012 |title=Miles llegan a Chichén Itzá con la esperanza de una nueva era mejor |language=es |trans-title=Thousands arrive to Chichén Itzá with the hope of a new better era |work=La Nación (Costa Rica) |agency=Agence France-Presse |url=http://www.nacion.com/2012-12-21/AldeaGlobal/miles-llegan-a-chichen-itza-con-la-esperanza-de-una-nueva-era-mejor.aspx |url-status=dead |access-date=22 December 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121221202223/http://www.nacion.com/2012-12-21/AldeaGlobal/miles-llegan-a-chichen-itza-con-la-esperanza-de-una-nueva-era-mejor.aspx |archive-date=21 December 2012}}{{cite news |author=Randal C. Archibold |date=21 December 2012 |title=As Doomsday Flops, Rites in Ruins of Mayan Empire |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2012/12/22/world/americas/doomsday-fizzles-but-many-hail-a-new-era.html |access-date=22 December 2012 |archive-date=December 22, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121222013244/http://www.nytimes.com/2012/12/22/world/americas/doomsday-fizzles-but-many-hail-a-new-era.html |url-status=live }}{{cite news |author=Mark Stephenson |date=21 December 2012 |title=End Of The World 2012? Not Just Yet |work=Huffington Post |url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/12/21/end-of-the-world-2012_n_2344389.html |access-date=22 December 2012 |archive-date=December 21, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121221192604/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/12/21/end-of-the-world-2012_n_2344389.html |url-status=live }}

Births and deaths

Nobel Prizes

File:Nobel medal.png

Chemistry – Robert Lefkowitz and Brian Kobilka, for studies of G-protein-coupled receptors.
Economics – Alvin E. Roth and Lloyd Shapley, for the theory of stable allocations and the practice of market design.
Literature – Mo Yan, who with hallucinatory realism merges folk tales, history and the contemporary.
Peace – European Union, for over six decades contributed to the advancement of peace and reconciliation, democracy and human rights in Europe.
Physics – Serge Haroche and David J. Wineland, for ground-breaking experimental methods that enable measuring and manipulation of individual quantum systems.
Physiology or Medicine – John B. Gurdon and Shinya Yamanaka, for the discovery that mature cells can be reprogrammed to become pluripotent.

New English words

hot take
escape room

References

Category:2012

Category:Leap years in the Gregorian calendar