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2012 in the United States

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{{Year in U.S. states and territories|2012}}

Events in the year 2012 in the United States.

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Incumbents

= Federal government =

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= Governors =

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Events

= January =

  • January 1 – New laws that go into effect on January 1:{{cite web |url=http://www.newsroomamerica.com/story/204842/new_year_brings_avalanche_of_40,000_new_laws.html |title=New Year Brings Avalanche of 40,000 New Laws |publisher=NewsRoomAmerica.com |date=January 2, 2012 |access-date=August 18, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120426011912/http://www.newsroomamerica.com/story/204842/new_year_brings_avalanche_of_40,000_new_laws.html |archive-date=April 26, 2012 |url-status=dead }}{{cite web |url=http://ivn.us/news/2012/01/03/happy-new-year-40000-new-laws-to-take-effect-in-2012/ |title=Happy New Year: 40,000 new laws to take effect in 2012 – Independent Voter Network |publisher=Ivn.us |access-date=August 18, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120111054411/http://ivn.us/news/2012/01/03/happy-new-year-40000-new-laws-to-take-effect-in-2012/ |archive-date=January 11, 2012 |url-status=dead }}
  • Hawaii and Delaware's civil union laws go into effect.{{cite news| url=http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/year-brings-same-sex-civil-unions-hawaii-delaware-article-1.999777 | location=New York | work=Daily News | first=Christina | last=Boyle | title=Same-sex civil unions in Hawaii and Delaware | date=January 2, 2012}}
  • Illinois allows motorcyclists the right to yield at red lights since magnetic streetlight sensors will not recognize motorcycles.{{cite web |url=http://wjbc.com/new-law-lets-bikes-run-red-lights-in-illinois/ |title=New law lets bikes run red lights in Illinois |publisher=Wjbc.com |date=December 30, 2011 |access-date=August 18, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120907182920/http://wjbc.com/new-law-lets-bikes-run-red-lights-in-illinois/ |archive-date=September 7, 2012 |url-status=dead }}
  • Utah bans discounts or specials on alcoholic drinks, essentially banning happy hour.[http://www.myfoxdetroit.com/dpp/news/offbeat/happy-hour-essentially-banned-in-utah-20120102]{{dead link|date=August 2012}}
  • Arizona, Oregon, Washington, Montana, Colorado, Ohio, Vermont and Florida raise their minimum wage.{{cite web |url=http://wire.inc.com/2012/01/03/new-minimum-wage-increases-kick-in/ |title=New Minimum Wage Increases Kick In " Inc. Wire |publisher=Wire.inc.com |date=January 3, 2012 |access-date=August 18, 2012 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120716053642/http://wire.inc.com/2012/01/03/new-minimum-wage-increases-kick-in/ |archive-date=July 16, 2012 |url-status=dead }}
  • San Francisco raises the minimum wage within its jurisdiction to over $10 per hour, making it the highest minimum wage in the country.{{cite web |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna45819570 |title=40,000 new laws to go into effect in 2012 - TODAY News - TODAY.com |publisher=MSNBC |date=December 31, 2011 |access-date=August 18, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120501214400/http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/45819570/ns/us_news-life |archive-date=May 1, 2012 |url-status=live }}
  • California adds the historical contributions of sexual minorities and disabled people to its school curriculum.
  • Kansas, Texas, Rhode Island, and Tennessee will now require photo identification for voters as a measure to combat voter fraud.{{cite web|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna45819570|title=New laws toughen rules on abortions, immigrants, voters|website=NBC News|date=December 31, 2011|access-date=July 16, 2016}}
  • January 3 – Former Pennsylvania Senator Rick Santorum wins the Republican Iowa Caucus by a record low margin of 34 votes over former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney.{{cite web|url=http://caucuses.desmoinesregister.com/2012/01/19/register-exclusive-2012-gop-caucus-count-unresolved/|title=2012 GOP caucus count unresolved|access-date=July 16, 2016|archive-date=January 19, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120119210248/http://caucuses.desmoinesregister.com/2012/01/19/register-exclusive-2012-gop-caucus-count-unresolved/|url-status=dead}}
  • January 4 – Michele Bachmann, a Republican presidential candidate, drops out of the race.{{citation needed|date=February 2015}}
  • January 5 – Classified documents are leaked detailing a range of advanced non-lethal weapons proposed or in development by the U.S. Armed Forces. Among the systems described are a laser-based weapon designed to divert hostile aircraft, an underwater sonic weapon for incapacitating SCUBA divers and a heat-based weapon designed to compel crowds to disperse.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-16415007|title=US non-lethal weapon 'wish list' revealed on the net|publisher=BBC News|date=March 8, 2012|access-date=July 16, 2016|archive-date=June 18, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190618014105/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-16415007|url-status=live}}
  • January 9 – White House Chief of Staff William M. Daley steps down. The Office of Management and Budget Director Jack Lew takes his place.{{cite news| url=http://www.cnn.com/2012/01/09/politics/obama-daley-resigns/index.html | work=CNN | title=White House chief of staff stepping down - CNN.com | date=January 10, 2012}}
  • January 10
  • Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour pardons 200 prisoners. On January 12, a Mississippi judge blocks the release of 21 of those inmates.{{cite web|url=https://www.foxnews.com/politics/mississippi-judge-blocks-release-of-21-inmates-given-pardons-by-gov-barbour/|title=Mississippi judge blocks release of 21 inmates given pardons by Gov. Barbour – Fox News|website=Fox News|date=January 12, 2012|access-date=July 16, 2016}}
  • Alaska sees record snowfall.{{cite web|url=https://www.foxnews.com/us/towns-seek-help-weathering-harsh-winter-even-by-alaskas-standards/|title=Towns Seek Help Weathering Harsh Winter (Even by Alaska's Standards) – Fox News|website=Fox News|date=January 10, 2012|access-date=July 16, 2016}}
  • The U.S. Supreme Court makes an 8–1 decision in Minneci v. Pollard that abused inmates cannot sue a privately, state-hired prison company in federal court. The ruling went against prisoner Richard Lee Pollard in a dispute of damages over a violation of the Eighth Amendment's prohibition against cruel and unusual punishment, claiming that Wackenhut/GEO, a privately run federal prison in California, had deprived him of adequate medical care.{{cite news| url=https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/11pdf/10-1104.pdf | work=supremecourt.gov | title=MINNECI ET AL. v. POLLARD ET AL. | date=January 10, 2012}} Writing for the majority, Associate Justice Stephen Breyer said that "... the existence of an Eighth Amendment-based damages action ... against ... a privately operated federal prison .. state tort law authorizes adequate alternative damages actions, ... actions that provide both significant deterrence and compensation ... For these reasons, where, as here, a federal prisoner seeks damages from privately employed personnel working at a privately operated federal prison, where the conduct allegedly amounts to a violation of the Eighth Amendment, and where that conduct is of a kind that typically falls within the scope of traditional state tort law (such as the conduct involving improper medical care at issue here), the prisoner must seek a remedy under state tort law. We cannot imply a Bivens remedy in such a case. The judgment of the Ninth Circuit is reversed."
  • January 14 – Miss Wisconsin, Laura Kaeppeler, wins Miss America pageant.{{cite web|url=https://www.foxnews.com/us/miss-wisconsin-wins-miss-america-pageant/|title=Miss Wisconsin wins Miss America pageant – Fox News|website=Fox News|date=January 14, 2012|access-date=July 16, 2016|archive-date=September 24, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924170429/http://www.foxnews.com/us/2012/01/14/miss-wisconsin-wins-miss-america-pageant/?test=latestnews|url-status=live}}{{cite news| date=January 14, 2012| title=Miss America pageant crowns 2012 winner| newspaper=USA Today| url=http://content.usatoday.com/communities/entertainment/post/2012/01/miss-america-pageant-crowns-2012-winner-/1| access-date=January 14, 2012| archive-date=October 13, 2016| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161013090358/http://content.usatoday.com/communities/entertainment/post/2012/01/miss-america-pageant-crowns-2012-winner-/1| url-status=live}}
  • January 16
  • Zappos.com computer system is hacked, compromising the personal information of 24 million customers.{{citation needed|date=April 2020}}
  • Jon Huntsman, a Republican presidential candidate, drops out of the race.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-16583218|title=Jon Huntsman drops out of Republican presidential race|date=January 16, 2011|access-date=January 16, 2011|publisher=BBC News|archive-date=January 16, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120116180653/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-16583218|url-status=live}}
  • January 17 – Volunteers in Wisconsin submit more than a million signatures to start a recall election of Governor Scott Walker in protest of his public fight last year to restrict collective bargaining rights of public workers and his cuts in the social safety net.{{cite magazine| url=https://swampland.time.com/2012/01/18/behind-wisconsin-democrats-million-signature-show-of-force-in-walker-recall-effort/|title=Behind Wisconsin Democrats' Million-Signature Show of Force in Walker Recall Effort|magazine=Time|date=January 18, 2012}}
  • January 18
  • The U.S. Supreme Court makes a unanimous 9–0 decision that telephone consumers can gain standing in federal courts to sue abusive telephone marketers. The ruling went against Arrow Financial Services (Arrow), a debt-collection agency, in a dispute of standing over the federal jurisdiction of the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) of 1991. The act was passed so that out-of-state telemarketers, by operating interstate, could not escape state-law prohibitions on intrusive nuisance calls. Petitioner Marcus D. Mims filed a damages action in Federal District Court, alleging that respondent Arrow, seeking to collect a debt, violated the TCPA by repeatedly using an automatic telephone dialing system or prerecorded or artificial voice to call Mims's cellular phone without his consent.{{cite news| url=https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/11pdf/10-1195.pdf | work=supremecourt.gov | title=MIMS v. ARROW FINANCIAL SERVICES, LLC. | date=January 18, 2012}} Writing for the unanimous court, Associate Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg said that "We find no convincing reason to read into the TCPA's permissive grant of jurisdiction to state courts any barrier to the U. S. district courts' exercise of the general federal-question jurisdiction ... We hold, therefore, that federal and state courts have concurrent jurisdiction over private suits arising under the TCPA ... The Eleventh Circuit erred in dismissing Mims's case for lack of subject-matter jurisdiction ... The judgment of the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit is reversed, and the case is remanded for further proceedings consistent with this opinion."
  • The U.S. Supreme Court makes a 6–2 decision that restores copyright status to some foreign works previously in the public domain. The case challenges the constitutionality of the application of Section 514 of the Uruguay Round Agreements Act (URAA), a treaty seeking to equalize copyright protection on an international basis. The practical effect of the decision is that some works that were once free to use (such as Prokofiev's Peter and the Wolf, Metropolis (1927), The Third Man (1949), the works of Igor Stravinsky, several works of H. G. Wells, including the film Things to Come (1936), as well as innumerable others) now must be paid for. The ruling went against Lawrence Golan, and many others, in a dispute of URAA bringing some works whose copyright had lapsed back under copyright.{{cite news | url=https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/11pdf/10-545.pdf | work=supremecourt.gov | title=Golan v. Holder. | date=January 18, 2012 | access-date=June 27, 2017 | archive-date=January 22, 2012 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120122034054/http://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/11pdf/10-545.pdf | url-status=live }} Writing for the majority, Associate Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg said that "... (if there is) ... copyright protection abroad ... (then there must be given) ... the same full term of protection ... (in the) ...U. S. ... Congress did so in §514 of the Uruguay Round Agreements Act (URAA), which grants copyright protection to preexisting works of Berne member countries, protected in their country of origin, but lacking protection in the United States ... The judgment of the Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit is therefore affirmed."
  • January 19
  • Kodak files for bankruptcy protection. Kodak is best known for its wide range of photographic film products.{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/kodak-idUSL3E8CJ20N20120119|title=UPDATE 3-Kodak files for bankruptcy, secures $950 mln lifeline|date=January 19, 2012|access-date=July 16, 2016|newspaper=Reuters}}
  • Rick Perry, a Republican presidential candidate, drops out after seeing no way to continue his campaign past South Carolina.{{citation needed|date=February 2015}}
  • January 22
  • U.S. House Representative Gabby Giffords of Arizona announces her resignation from office to focus on her recovery after surviving an attempted assassination in 2011.{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/rep-gabrielle-giffords-resigning-from-congress/2012/01/22/gIQATOz1IQ_story.html|title=Giffords resigning from Congress|newspaper=The Washington Post|access-date=July 16, 2016|archive-date=August 22, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160822064428/https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/rep-gabrielle-giffords-resigning-from-congress/2012/01/22/gIQATOz1IQ_story.html|url-status=live}}
  • Joe Paterno, the all-time winningest football coach in Penn State history, dies at the age of 85 from lung cancer.
  • January 23
  • The U.S. Supreme Court makes a unanimous 9–0 decision that government officials must obtain a search warrant permitting them to install a Global-Positioning-System (GPS) tracking device on citizens' private property. The ruling involves a Fourth Amendment case, the requirement of obtaining a valid warrant in searches by law enforcement. The court ruled in favor of Antoine Jones in a dispute that attaching a GPS device to private property in a public space still constitutes a search and therefore falls under the Fourth Amendment.{{cite news | url=https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/11pdf/10-1259.pdf | work=supremecourt.gov | title=UNITED STATES, PETITIONER v. ANTOINE JONES | date=January 23, 2012 | access-date=June 27, 2017 | archive-date=February 28, 2021 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210228012326/http://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/11pdf/10-1259.pdf | url-status=live }} The opinion of the court was written by Associate Justice Antonin Scalia who said that "We decide whether the attachment of a Global-Positioning-System (GPS) tracking device to an individual's vehicle, and subsequent use of that device to monitor the vehicle's movements on public streets, constitutes a search or seizure within the meaning of the Fourth Amendment ... The Fourth Amendment provides in relevant part that '[t]he right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated.' It is beyond dispute that a vehicle is an 'effect' as that term is used in the Amendment. United States v. Chadwick, 433 U. S. 1, 12 (1977). We hold that the Government's installation of a GPS device on a target's vehicle, and its use of that device to monitor the vehicle's movements, constitutes a 'search.'"
  • An intense EF3 tornado strikes the northeastern part of the Birmingham, Alabama metropolitan area, killing one person, injuring 75 others, and caused over $18 million in damage.{{cite web |author1=National Weather Service office in Birmingham, Alabama |title=Center Point (Jefferson/St. Clair) EF-3 Tornado January 23rd, 2012 |url=https://www.weather.gov/bmx/event_01232012centerpoint |website=Center Point Tornado - January 23, 2012 |publisher=National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration |access-date=9 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230909175741/https://www.weather.gov/bmx/event_01232012centerpoint |archive-date=9 September 2023 |url-status=live}}
  • January 24
  • President Barack Obama delivers his 2012 State of the Union Address.
  • 84th Academy Awards: Nominations are announced at 5:38 am. PST (13:38 UTC) (8:38 am. EST) at Samuel Goldwyn Theater. The Best Picture nominees are The Artist, The Descendants, Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close, The Help, Hugo, Midnight in Paris, Moneyball, The Tree of Life, War Horse{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xBSMykXr2u8|title=Oscar Nominations 2012: Jean Dujardin, George Clooney, Octavia Spencer, Among Actors Honored|work=ABC News|date=January 24, 2012|access-date=July 16, 2016|via=YouTube|archive-date=February 3, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160203010238/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xBSMykXr2u8|url-status=live}}http://www.oscars.org/ {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090122140142/http://awardsdatabase.oscars.org/ampas_awards/ |date=January 22, 2009 }} The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences
  • January 25 – The Indiana House of Representatives passes right to work legislation, becoming the first state in the Rust Belt to pass such a measure.{{cite news | url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-unions-righttowork-indiana-idUSTRE80O2NH20120125 | work=Reuters | title=Indiana state House approves right-to-work bill | date=January 25, 2012 | access-date=July 5, 2021 | archive-date=April 8, 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230408081045/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-unions-righttowork-indiana-idUSTRE80O2NH20120125 | url-status=live }}
  • January 26 – The United States Department of Transportation requires airline companies to disclose in advance all price constituents.{{cite web|url=https://www.foxnews.com/travel/new-airline-pricing-rules-what-it-means-for-you/|title=New airline pricing rules: what it means for you – Fox News|first=George|last=Hobica|website=Fox News|date=January 25, 2012|access-date=July 16, 2016|archive-date=March 4, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304131839/http://www.foxnews.com/travel/2012/01/25/new-airline-pricing-rules-what-it-means-for/|url-status=live}}
  • January 29 – 10 people die in a suspected arson on the Interstate 75 south of Gainesville, Florida.{{cite news |url=https://abcnews.go.com/US/florida-highway-terror-revealed-911-tape/story?id=15471703 |title=Florida Highway Terror That Killed 10: 'We Can't See' |first1=Matt |last1=Gutman |first2=Matthew |last2=Rosenbaum |work=ABC News |date=January 30, 2012 |access-date=April 16, 2020 |archive-date=April 17, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200417115243/https://abcnews.go.com/US/florida-highway-terror-revealed-911-tape/story?id=15471703 |url-status=live }}
  • January 30 – In Illinois, the Byron nuclear power plant accidentally releases radioactive steam.{{Cite web|url=http://www.foxbusiness.com/news/2012/01/30/exelon-ill-nuclear-plant-shut-down-after-losing-off-site-power/|title=Exelon Ill. Nuclear Plant Shut Down After Losing Off-Site Power|website=Fox Business}}{{Dead link|date=February 2022 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}
  • January 31 – A teacher, Mark Berndt, is charged with molesting 23 Los Angeles elementary school students.{{cite web|url=http://www.foxnews.com/us/2012/01/31/ex-la-teacher-charged-with-molesting-23-children/|title=Los Angeles teacher charged with molesting 23 kids – Fox News|website=Fox News|date=January 31, 2012|access-date=July 16, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924170448/http://www.foxnews.com/us/2012/01/31/ex-la-teacher-charged-with-molesting-23-children/|archive-date=September 24, 2015|url-status=dead}}

= February =

  • February 5
  • Super Bowl XLVI: The National Football Conference champion New York Giants defeat the American Football Conference champion New England Patriots 21 to 17. It was officially the most watched program in the history of United States television with 111.3 million viewers in the US (as per the Nielsen Co.).{{cite news |first=David |last=Bauder |url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/02/06/super-bowl-ratings-record-tv-giants-patriots_n_1258107.html |title=Super Bowl Ratings Record: Giants-Patriots Game Is Highest-Rated TV Show In US History |publisher=Huffingtonpost.com |date=February 6, 2012 |access-date=February 7, 2012 |archive-date=February 7, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120207051325/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/02/06/super-bowl-ratings-record-tv-giants-patriots_n_1258107.html |url-status=live }}
  • Disappearance of Susan Powell: Josh Powell, who was widely suspected in his wife's disappearance, kills himself and the couple's two children.{{cite news|title=3 die in Powell home explosion, family says|url=http://www.ksl.com/index.php?nid=148&sid=19132089&title=3-die-in-powell-home-explosion-family-says|date=February 5, 2012|access-date=February 5, 2012|publisher=KSL.com|archive-date=November 15, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201115215921/https://www.ksl.com/article/19132089/3-die-in-powell-home-explosion-family-says|url-status=live}}
  • February 7 – A federal appeals court upholds the district court decision that struck down California's ban on same-sex marriage.{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/08/us/marriage-ban-violates-constitution-court-rules.html |title=Court Strikes Down Ban on Gay Marriage in California |newspaper=The New York Times |date=February 7, 2012 |last=Nagourney |first=Adam |access-date=February 26, 2017 |archive-date=February 11, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120211122706/http://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/08/us/marriage-ban-violates-constitution-court-rules.html |url-status=live }}
  • February 11 – Singer Whitney Houston is found dead at the age of 48 in her suite at the Los Angeles Beverly Hilton Hotel, which coincided with the 2012 Grammy Awards and triggered a worldwide outpouring of grief. Her death later impaired several major websites and services.{{citation needed|date=September 2013}}
  • February 13 – Washington Governor Chris Gregoire signs a bill legalizing same-sex marriage, becoming the seventh state to legalize gay marriage.{{cite news | url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/02/13/washington-gay-marriage-signed-chris-gregoire_n_1273887.html | work=Huffington Post | title=Washington Gay Marriage Bill Signed Into Law By Governor Chris Gregoire | date=February 13, 2012 | access-date=February 20, 2020 | archive-date=March 5, 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305035648/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/02/13/washington-gay-marriage-signed-chris-gregoire_n_1273887.html | url-status=live }}
  • February 15 – The Kellogg Company purchases snack maker Pringles from Procter & Gamble for US$2.7 billion.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-17046698|title=Kellogg to buy snack maker Pringles for $2.7bn|publisher=BBC News|date=February 15, 2012|access-date=July 16, 2016|archive-date=February 3, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160203010238/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-17046698|url-status=live}}
  • February 16
  • Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab, the so-called "underwear bomber", is sentenced to life imprisonment for attempting to detonate a bomb on Northwest Airlines Flight 253 in Detroit, Michigan.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-17065130|title=Underwear bomber Abdulmutallab sentenced to life|publisher=BBC News|date=February 16, 2012|access-date=July 16, 2016|archive-date=February 16, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120216174707/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-17065130|url-status=live}}
  • Researchers at Dartmouth College find that many organic food products that contain organic brown rice syrup have a much higher concentration of the toxic element arsenic. Brown rice syrup, used as an alternative for the much-maligned high fructose corn syrup, is said to contain environmental arsenic absorbed by the husk of the rice.{{cite web|url=https://www.foxnews.com/health/organic-foods-secret-source-of-dietary-arsenic/|title=Organic foods: secret source of dietary arsenic? – Fox News|first=Loren|last=Grush|website=Fox News|date=February 16, 2012|access-date=July 16, 2016|archive-date=September 24, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924081001/http://www.foxnews.com/health/2012/02/15/organic-foods-secret-source-dietary-arsenic/|url-status=live}}
  • February 18 – Legendary singer Whitney Houston is laid to rest in a private televised funeral in her hometown of Newark, New Jersey at the New Hope Baptist Church in which she was raised.{{citation needed|date=September 2013}}
  • February 21
  • The Dow Jones Industrial Average goes above 13,000 points for the first time since May 2008.{{cite news | url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052970203358704577236783377030236 | work=The Wall Street Journal | first1=Jonathan | last1=Cheng | first2=Christian | last2=Berthelsen | title=Dow Touches 13000 but Can't Hold On | date=February 21, 2012 | access-date=August 3, 2017 | archive-date=November 20, 2018 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181120074240/https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052970203358704577236783377030236 | url-status=live }}
  • The U.S. Supreme Court makes a 6–3 decision that law enforcement officials do not need to issue Miranda warnings to prison inmates under questioning if these inmates are warned that they may end the interrogation at any time. The ruling involves an inmate who was removed from the general prison population and questioned. The court ruled against convict Randall Fields in a dispute that questioning without Miranda invocation was proper as long as the convict was advised of his freedom to leave.{{cite news | url=https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/11pdf/10-680.pdf | work=supremecourt.gov | title=HOWES, WARDEN v. FIELDS | date=February 21, 2012 | access-date=June 27, 2017 | archive-date=February 8, 2017 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170208061016/https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/11pdf/10-680.pdf | url-status=live }} The opinion of the court was written by Associate Justice Samuel Alito who said that "The United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit held that our precedents clearly establish that a prisoner is in custody within the meaning of Miranda v. Arizona, 384 U. S. 436 (1966), if the prisoner is taken aside and questioned about events that occurred outside the prison walls. Our decisions, however, do not clearly establish such a rule, and therefore the Court of Appeals erred inholding that this rule provides a permissible basis for federal habeas relief under the relevant provision of the Antiterrorism and Effective Death Penalty Act of 1996(AEDPA), 28 U. S. C. §2254(d)(1). Indeed, the rule applied by the court below does not represent a correct interpretation of our Miranda case law. We therefore reverse."
  • February 22
  • In Charlottesville, Virginia, former University of Virginia men's lacrosse player George Huguely is found guilty of second-degree murder in the 2010 death of former UVA women's lacrosse player Yeardley Love. The jury recommends a 26-year prison sentence; he was sentenced to 23 years in prison.{{cite web|url=https://abcnews.go.com/|title=ABC News|access-date=July 16, 2016|archive-date=July 16, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160716003738/http://abcnews.go.com/|url-status=live}}
  • Seven US Marines die when two helicopters collide and crash on the border of the states of California and Arizona. The Bell AH-1 SuperCobra attack helicopter and the UH-1Y Huey utility chopper accident occurs during a nighttime training exercise.{{cite web|url=http://www.cnn.com/2012/02/23/us/arizona-marines-killed/index.html|title=Midair helicopter collision kills 7 Marines|publisher=CNN|first=Barbara|last=Starr|date=February 23, 2012|access-date=July 16, 2016|archive-date=June 21, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160621050423/http://www.cnn.com/2012/02/23/us/arizona-marines-killed/index.html|url-status=live}}
  • February 23 – The case against Gabe Watson in relation to the death of his newlywed wife Tina on the Great Barrier Reef in Australia is dismissed in Alabama.{{cite web|url=http://www.cbs42.com/content/breaking/story/Watson-Honeymoon-Murder-Case-Dismissed/ENMokcm_fk23KsIuHhbjMg.cspx|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120728000518/http://www.cbs42.com/content/breaking/story/Watson-Honeymoon-Murder-Case-Dismissed/ENMokcm_fk23KsIuHhbjMg.cspx|url-status=dead|title=Watson Honeymoon Murder Case Dismissed – CBS 42 Birmingham, AL News W...|date=July 28, 2012|archive-date=July 28, 2012}}
  • February 26
  • 84th Academy Awards: The ceremony, hosted by Billy Crystal, is held at the Hollywood and Highland Center Theatre (formerly Kodak Theatre).{{Cite web|url=http://news.ninemsn.com.au/entertainment/8425791/aussie-oscar-nominees-hunt-for-upset-win|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120410061559/http://news.ninemsn.com.au/entertainment/8425791/aussie-oscar-nominees-hunt-for-upset-win|url-status=dead|title=NineMSN|archive-date=April 10, 2012}} Michel Hazanavicius' The Artist wins five awards, including Best Director and Best Picture, the first silent film to win the latter award since Wings in 1927 and the first black-and-white film since Schindler's List in 1993. Martin Scorsese's Hugo ties in award wins and leads in nominations with 11. The telecast garners nearly 39.5 million viewers.{{cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/envelope/|title=The Envelope: Hollywood's Awards and Industry Insider – Los Angeles Times|website=Los Angeles Times|access-date=July 16, 2016|archive-date=July 16, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160716062238/http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/envelope/|url-status=live}}
  • A trial begins in Cairo of 16 Americans and 27 others linked to an Egyptian government crackdown on non-government organizations which has created tension between the U.S. and Egypt.{{Cite web|url=https://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5gpgK8-MpsicsOV-tZ7soqBybCngw?docId=bbff49dc68e64e2c85fa66f9d28544a9|title=AP via Google|access-date=November 10, 2016|archive-date=March 1, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120301040602/http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5gpgK8-MpsicsOV-tZ7soqBybCngw?docId=bbff49dc68e64e2c85fa66f9d28544a9|url-status=dead}}
  • Trayvon Martin, an unarmed black 17-year-old, is fatally shot by George Zimmerman in Sanford, Florida. The killing receives widespread attention focusing on aspects including the possible role of Martin's race and the initial lack of prosecution against Zimmerman,{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-17441277 |title=Trayvon Martin: Probe into killing of Florida teenager |date=March 20, 2012 |publisher=BBC News |access-date=June 20, 2018 |archive-date=December 10, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181210044753/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-17441277 |url-status=live }} who is later charged with second degree murder.{{cite news |url=https://abcnews.go.com/US/george-zimmerman-charged-murder-trayvon-martin-killing/story?id=16115469 |title=George Zimmerman Charged With 2nd Degree Murder in Trayvon Martin's Death |date=April 11, 2012 |work=ABC News |first1=Matt |last1=Gutman |first2=Candace |last2=Smith |first3=Pierre |last3=Thomas |access-date=April 16, 2020 |archive-date=March 13, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200313200816/https://abcnews.go.com/US/george-zimmerman-charged-murder-trayvon-martin-killing/story?id=16115469 |url-status=live }}
  • February 27
  • Teenager Thomas Lane kills three students at Chardon High School in Chardon, Ohio.{{cite web|last=Jones|first=Melanie|title=Who is T.J. Lane? 5 Things to Know About Chardon High School Shooting Suspect|url=http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/306023/20120228/tj-lane-ohio-chardon-high-school-shooting.htm|work=International Business Times|date=February 28, 2012|publisher=The International Business Times Inc|access-date=February 29, 2012|archive-date=March 2, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120302014417/http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/306023/20120228/tj-lane-ohio-chardon-high-school-shooting.htm|url-status=live}}
  • 2012 Daytona 500: In a first ever delay, the race is postponed to Monday due to heavy rain in Daytona.{{cite web|url=https://www.usatoday.com/sports/motor/nascar/story/2012-02-27/Fox-could-score-big-with-prime-time-Daytona-500/53271682/1|title=Prime-time Daytona 500 could be 'watershed moment'|website=USA Today|access-date=July 16, 2016|archive-date=March 9, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160309022508/http://www.usatoday.com/sports/motor/nascar/story/2012-02-27/Fox-could-score-big-with-prime-time-Daytona-500/53271682/1|url-status=live}} Matt Kenseth wins on Tuesday morning.{{cite web|url=https://www.usatoday.com/sports/motor/nascar/story/2012-02-27/wins-daytona-500/53278392/1|title=Matt Kenseth edges Dale Earnhardt Jr. to win Daytona 500|website=USA Today|access-date=July 16, 2016|archive-date=March 9, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160309022513/http://www.usatoday.com/sports/motor/nascar/story/2012-02-27/wins-daytona-500/53278392/1|url-status=live}}
  • WikiLeaks begins disclosing 5 million e-mails from the private intelligence company Stratfor.{{cite web|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-02-27/wikileaks-begins-publishing-confidential-intelligence-emails/3854838|title=WikiLeaks dumping secret intelligence emails|website=Australian Broadcasting Corporation|date=February 27, 2012|access-date=July 16, 2016|archive-date=July 20, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160720173459/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-02-27/wikileaks-begins-publishing-confidential-intelligence-emails/3854838|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=http://www.cnn.com/2012/02/26/us/wikileaks-stratfor/index.html|title=WikiLeaks begins disclosing intelligence firm's e-mails|date=February 27, 2012|publisher=CNN|access-date=July 16, 2016|archive-date=August 18, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160818043103/http://www.cnn.com/2012/02/26/us/wikileaks-stratfor/index.html|url-status=live}}
  • February 29
  • 2012 Leap Day tornado outbreak: Tornados hit the midwestern United States with 14 people killed, six in Harrisburg, Illinois.{{Cite web|url=https://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5hDOejM_NICVTDxd3OwIIQ3i8LFDw?docId=da1b2e72cd1b4f73ae34e7bbd071966f|title=AP via Google News|access-date=November 10, 2016|archive-date=March 2, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120302202655/http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5hDOejM_NICVTDxd3OwIIQ3i8LFDw?docId=da1b2e72cd1b4f73ae34e7bbd071966f|url-status=dead}}
  • Egypt lifts a travel ban on seven Americans employed by pro-democracy U.S. groups, including the son of U.S. Transportation secretary Ray LaHood, who is among 16 Americans on trial in Egypt for trying to foment unrest and incite protests against the nation's military rulers.{{cite web|url=https://www.usatoday.com/news/world/story/2012-02-29/egypt-travel-ban-lifted/53302054/1|title=Egypt lifts travel ban on 7 U.S. pro-democracy workers|website=USA Today|access-date=July 16, 2016|archive-date=March 5, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305101900/http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/story/2012-02-29/egypt-travel-ban-lifted/53302054/1|url-status=live}}

= March =

  • March 1 – Maryland becomes the eighth state to legalize gay marriage.{{cite news | url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/03/01/maryland-gay-marriage-martin-o-malley-signs-bill_n_1314352.html | work=Huffington Post | first=Curtis | last=Wong | title=Maryland Gay Marriage: Governor Martin O'Malley Signs Bill Allowing Same-Sex Couples To Wed | date=March 1, 2012 | access-date=February 20, 2020 | archive-date=August 19, 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160819200701/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/03/01/maryland-gay-marriage-martin-o-malley-signs-bill_n_1314352.html | url-status=live }}
  • March 2
  • NASA claims that it was hacked 13 times in 2011, compromising security.{{Cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-nasa-cyberattack-idUSTRE8211G320120302|title=NASA says it was hacked 13 times last year|publisher=Reuters|date=March 2, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230817045504/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-nasa-cyberattack-idUSTRE8211G320120302|archive-date=August 17, 2023|url-status=live|access-date=August 16, 2023}}
  • Tornado outbreak of March 2–3, 2012: 40 people die in the South and the Ohio Valley.{{cite web|url=https://www.foxnews.com/us/storms-wreck-indiana-towns-kill-at-least-20-across-3-states/|title=Storms wreck Indiana towns, kill at least 20 across 3 states – Fox News|website=Fox News|date=March 2, 2012|access-date=July 16, 2016|archive-date=March 3, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120303030909/http://www.foxnews.com/us/2012/03/02/alabama-schools-closing-early-amid-weather-threat/|url-status=live}}
  • BP and plaintiffs reach an agreement over compensation for the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.{{cite web|url=https://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/bp-plaintiffs-reach-gulf-oil-spill-settlement-15838246|title=U.S. News – National News|work=ABC News|access-date=July 16, 2016}}
  • Dr. Seuss' The Lorax is released in theaters.{{cite web |url=https://comingsoon.net/films.php?id=57584 |title=The Lorax |website=ComingSoon.net |access-date=2010-10-08 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100918150736/https://comingsoon.net/films.php?id=57584 |archive-date=18 September 2010 |url-status=live}}
  • March 6
  • Retired British businessman Christopher Tappin is denied bail in Texas as he faces arms dealing charges.{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/law/2012/mar/06/christopher-tappin-denied-bail|title=Christopher Tappin denied bail in US on arms dealing claims|first=Ben|last=Quinn|website=TheGuardian.com|date=March 6, 2012|access-date=July 16, 2016|archive-date=September 21, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160921204835/https://www.theguardian.com/law/2012/mar/06/christopher-tappin-denied-bail|url-status=live}} He is accused by the U.S. Government of exporting thermal batteries to Iran that could be used in the manufacture of surface-to-air missiles.{{cite news | url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/northamerica/usa/9120430/Christopher-Tappin-shackled-in-Texas-court.html | location=London | work=The Daily Telegraph | first=Nick | last=Allen | title=Christopher Tappin shackled in Texas court | date=March 3, 2012 | access-date=April 3, 2018 | archive-date=November 18, 2018 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181118110021/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/northamerica/usa/9120430/Christopher-Tappin-shackled-in-Texas-court.html | url-status=live }}
  • Law enforcement agencies in the United States, United Kingdom and Ireland arrest alleged senior members of the computer hacking group Lulz Sec.{{cite web|url=http://www.foxnews.com/scitech/2012/03/06/hacking-group-lulzsec-swept-up-by-law-enforcement/|title=EXCLUSIVE: Infamous international hacking group LulzSec brought down by own leader – Fox News|first=Jana|last=Winter|website=Fox News|date=March 6, 2012|access-date=July 16, 2016|archive-date=March 12, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120312204925/http://www.foxnews.com/scitech/2012/03/06/hacking-group-lulzsec-swept-up-by-law-enforcement/|url-status=dead}}
  • Businessman Allen Stanford is convicted of running a US$7 billion Ponzi scheme.{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2012/03/07/business/jury-convicts-stanford-in-7-billion-ponzi-fraud.html|title=Stanford Convicted by Jury in $7 Billion Ponzi Scheme|date=March 7, 2012|work=The New York Times|access-date=July 16, 2016|archive-date=July 17, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160717001746/http://www.nytimes.com/2012/03/07/business/jury-convicts-stanford-in-7-billion-ponzi-fraud.html|url-status=live}}
  • Super Tuesday of the Republican Party presidential primaries:
  • Voters in 10 US states go to the polls for Super Tuesday.{{cite news|url=http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2012/mar/4/curl-super-tuesday-more-stupor-tuesday/|title=CURL: Super Tuesday? More like Stupor Tuesday|newspaper=The Washington Times|access-date=July 16, 2016|archive-date=August 6, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160806142015/http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2012/mar/4/curl-super-tuesday-more-stupor-tuesday/|url-status=live}}
  • Newt Gingrich is projected as the winner of the Georgia primary.{{cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/news/politics/la-pn-georgia-gop-primary-20120306,0,2853785.story|title=Newt Gingrich wins Georgia GOP primary|first=Kim|last=Geiger|date=March 6, 2012|access-date=July 16, 2016|via=LA Times|archive-date=March 7, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120307072847/http://www.latimes.com/news/politics/la-pn-georgia-gop-primary-20120306,0,2853785.story|url-status=live}}
  • Mitt Romney is projected as the winner of primaries in Virginia, Massachusetts, Ohio and Vermont as well as the Idaho and Alaska caucuses.{{cite web|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/la-pn-virginia-gop-primary-20120306,0,3841404.story|title=Chicago Tribune|website=Chicago Tribune|access-date=March 7, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120307225734/http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/la-pn-virginia-gop-primary-20120306,0,3841404.story|archive-date=March 7, 2012|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/news/politics/la-pn-romney-wins-vermont-primary-20120306,0,7740240.story|title=Super Tuesday: Vermont primary win gives Romney a delegate boost|first=David|last=Meeks|date=March 6, 2012|access-date=July 16, 2016|via=LA Times|archive-date=March 7, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120307191345/http://www.latimes.com/news/politics/la-pn-romney-wins-vermont-primary-20120306,0,7740240.story|url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/massachusetts-primary-results-mitt-romney-declared-winner/2012/03/05/gIQAd1QcvR_story.html|title=Massachusetts primary results: Mitt Romney declared winner|newspaper=The Washington Post|access-date=July 16, 2016|archive-date=August 22, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160822114412/https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/massachusetts-primary-results-mitt-romney-declared-winner/2012/03/05/gIQAd1QcvR_story.html|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/politics/la-pn-idaho-gop-caucuses-20120306,0,2478947.story|title=Chicago Tribune|website=Chicago Tribune|access-date=March 7, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120307225942/http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/politics/la-pn-idaho-gop-caucuses-20120306,0,2478947.story|archive-date=March 7, 2012|url-status=dead}}[https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/gingrich-wins-home-state-of-ga-in-first-of-10-states-voting-super-tuesday/2012/03/06/gIQAVJGYvR_story.html AP via Washington Post]{{dead link|date=June 2021|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}
  • Rick Santorum is projected as the winner of the Oklahoma and Tennessee primaries and North Dakota caucuses.{{Cite web|url=http://www.foxbusiness.com/politics/2012/03/06/gingrich-wins-republican-primary-in-georgia/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120307231352/http://www.foxbusiness.com/politics/2012/03/06/gingrich-wins-republican-primary-in-georgia/|url-status=dead|title=Reuters via Fox Business News|website=Fox Business|archive-date=March 7, 2012}}{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/tennessee-primary-results-rick-santorum-declared-winner/2012/03/05/gIQAukOivR_story.html|title=Tennessee primary results: Rick Santorum declared winner|newspaper=The Washington Post|access-date=July 16, 2016|archive-date=August 22, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160822111937/https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/tennessee-primary-results-rick-santorum-declared-winner/2012/03/05/gIQAukOivR_story.html|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=http://www.cnn.com/2012/03/06/politics/super-tuesday/index.html|title=Romney camp claims GOP lead nearly insurmountable|first1=Alan|last1=Silverleib|first2=Tom|last2=Cohen|date=March 6, 2012|publisher=CNN|access-date=July 16, 2016|archive-date=August 18, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160818063216/http://www.cnn.com/2012/03/06/politics/super-tuesday/index.html|url-status=live}}
  • Veteran Ohio Congressman Dennis Kucinich is defeated in a Democrat primary in the 9th district by incumbent Marcia C. Kaptur after he was affected by redistricting. Samuel Wurzelbacher, popularly known as Joe the Plumber, wins the Republican Party primary.{{cite web|url=http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0312/73713.html|title=Reps. Kucinich, Schmidt fall in Ohio|website=Politico|date=March 7, 2012|access-date=July 16, 2016|archive-date=May 6, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150506121505/http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0312/73713.html|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5iJHdEiqKlWYoURuJM-yP0jpr4Rkw?docId=054818bacd5a4d969cb46be71bd56277|title=AP via Google|access-date=November 10, 2016|archive-date=March 7, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120307195354/http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5iJHdEiqKlWYoURuJM-yP0jpr4Rkw?docId=054818bacd5a4d969cb46be71bd56277|url-status=dead}}
  • March 8
  • Former Los Angeles Police Department detective Stephanie Lazarus is found guilty of a high-profile 1986 murder.{{cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/local/la-xpm-2012-mar-09-la-me-0309-lapd-verdict-20120308-story.html|title=Ex-LAPD detective found guilty of killing romantic rival in 1986|first1=Joel|last1=Rubin|first2=Andrew|last2=Blankstein|date=March 9, 2012|access-date=July 16, 2016|via=LA Times|archive-date=March 6, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160306035527/http://articles.latimes.com/2012/mar/09/local/la-me-0309-lapd-verdict-20120308|url-status=live}}
  • A study suggests that donor stem cells may prevent organ rejection in imperfectly matched transplant cases.{{cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/health/la-he-kidney-transplant-stem-cells-20120308,0,6483577.story|title=Study suggests breakthrough in organ transplants|first=Melissa|last=Healy|date=March 8, 2012|access-date=July 16, 2016|via=LA Times|archive-date=March 19, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120319225320/http://www.latimes.com/health/la-he-kidney-transplant-stem-cells-20120308,0,6483577.story|url-status=live}}
  • In a 6–3 opinion, the Mississippi Supreme Court lets stand the pardons signed by the exiting Governor Haley Barbour.{{cite web|url=https://www.foxnews.com/us/miss-supreme-court-rules-barbour-pardons-valid/|title=Miss. Supreme Court rules Barbour pardons valid – Fox News|website=Fox News|date=March 8, 2012|access-date=July 16, 2016|archive-date=November 12, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121112011618/http://www.foxnews.com/us/2012/03/08/miss-supreme-court-rules-barbour-pardons-valid/|url-status=live}}
  • March 11 – United States Army Staff Sergeant Robert Bales kills 17 civilians in the Panjwayi District of Afghanistan near Kandahar. Of those murdered, 4 were women and 9 were children.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-17332398|title=US soldier kills Afghan civilians in Kandahar|publisher=BBC News|date=March 11, 2012|access-date=July 16, 2016|archive-date=August 19, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210819104907/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-17332398|url-status=live}}
  • March 12 – The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals rules that a 22-year sentence given to Ahmed Ressam for attempting to bomb the Los Angeles International Airport as part of the 2000 millennium attack plots was too light.{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/usa-bomber-sentencing-idUSL2E8EC4B120120312|title=UPDATE 3-U.S. court says Millennium Bomber sentence too light|date=March 12, 2012|access-date=July 16, 2016|newspaper=Reuters|archive-date=August 17, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160817132132/http://www.reuters.com/article/usa-bomber-sentencing-idUSL2E8EC4B120120312|url-status=live}} The court orders that a new District judge re-sentence Ressam.
  • March 13
  • Based in Chicago, Illinois, Encyclopædia Britannica, the oldest encyclopedia still in print in the English language, announces that it will no longer be producing printed versions, but will continue online editions.{{Cite web|url=http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/a/-/world/13162123/encyclopaedia-brittanica-ends-print-goes-digital/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120403072750/http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/a/-/world/13162123/encyclopaedia-brittanica-ends-print-goes-digital/|url-status=dead|title=Reuters via Yahoo 7 Australia|archive-date=April 3, 2012}}
  • The United States, Japan, and the European Union file a case against China at the WTO regarding export restrictions on rare-earth metals.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-17348648|title=US, EU and Japan challenge China on rare earths at WTO|publisher=BBC News|date=March 13, 2012|access-date=July 16, 2016|archive-date=March 22, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160322143741/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-17348648|url-status=live}}
  • Citigroup, MetLife, Ally Financial, and SunTrust, some of the largest financial institutions in the United States, fail a Federal Reserve System stress test of 19 banks.{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-banks-stresstests-idUSBRE82C19020120313|title=Fed gives high marks in bank stress tests results|date=March 13, 2012|access-date=July 16, 2016|newspaper=Reuters|archive-date=August 17, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160817154956/http://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-banks-stresstests-idUSBRE82C19020120313|url-status=live}}
  • March 14 – A jury finds Virginia Tech guilty of negligence for delaying a campus warning about the Virginia Tech massacre of 33 students in 2007.{{Cite web|url=https://www.chron.com/news/article/Jury-finds-Va-Tech-negligent-in-07-shootings-3406409.php|title=AP via Houston Chronicle|access-date=April 16, 2020|archive-date=October 24, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121024072659/http://www.chron.com/news/article/Jury-finds-Va-Tech-negligent-in-07-shootings-3406409.php|url-status=dead}}
  • March 15 – Former Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich reports to Federal Correctional Institution, Englewood in Littleton, Colorado, to begin serving 14 years in federal prison. Under federal rules, Blagojevich will serve 85%, or 12 years, of his sentence.{{cite web|url=http://beta.local.yahoo.com/news-inside-blago-home-fci-englewood.html?woeid=2459269&lat=40.731972&lon=-74.174179&statecode=NJ&cityname=Newark&guesslocation=true |title=Inside Blago's New Home |access-date=July 16, 2016 }}{{dead link|date=June 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-crime-blagojevich-idUSBRE82E13U20120315|title=Cameras in tow, Blagojevich surrenders to prison|date=March 15, 2012|access-date=July 16, 2016|newspaper=Reuters|archive-date=August 17, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160817123847/http://www.reuters.com/article/us-crime-blagojevich-idUSBRE82E13U20120315|url-status=live}}
  • March 16 – Former Rutgers University student Dharun Ravi is found guilty of a hate crime and invasion of privacy for his role in the suicide of Tyler Clementi.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-17406173|title=Dharun Ravi guilty of Rutgers webcam hate crime|publisher=BBC News|date=March 16, 2012|access-date=July 16, 2016|archive-date=February 3, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160203010238/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-17406173|url-status=live}} Sentencing is scheduled for May 21.
  • March 20
  • The U.S. Supreme Court unanimously rejects two patents held by Prometheus Laboratories, a unit of Nestlé S.A., continuing a trend in recent years toward a narrowing of the grounds of patentability.{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-mayo-prometheus-patent-idUSBRE82J18I20120321|title=Top court rejects two medical test patents|date=March 21, 2012|access-date=July 16, 2016|newspaper=Reuters|archive-date=August 17, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160817202534/http://www.reuters.com/article/us-mayo-prometheus-patent-idUSBRE82J18I20120321|url-status=live}}
  • John Carter records one of the biggest losses in cinema history, forcing Disney to take a $200 million writedown{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-17442200|title=John Carter flop to cost Walt Disney $200m|publisher=BBC News|date=March 20, 2012|access-date=July 16, 2016|archive-date=November 10, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191110092703/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-17442200|url-status=live}} and chairman Rich Ross to resign.[https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-17790694 Disney film boss Rich Ross resigns after John Carter flop] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181031080207/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-17790694 |date=October 31, 2018 }}, BBC News, April 20, 2012. Retrieved April 20, 2012.
  • MIT researchers Ramesh Raskar and Andreas Velten demonstrate an augmented reality apparatus which can allow observation of a non-line of sight object by means of a non-mirror, reflective surface.{{cite web|url=http://www.foxnews.com/scitech/2012/03/24/why-seeing-around-corners-may-become-next-superpower/|title=Seeing around corners may become next 'superpower' – Fox News|website=Fox News|date=March 24, 2012|access-date=July 16, 2016|archive-date=June 16, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130616022347/http://www.foxnews.com/scitech/2012/03/24/why-seeing-around-corners-may-become-next-superpower/|url-status=dead}}
  • March 21 – New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton is suspended for a year without pay while former Saints defensive coordinator Gregg Williams is banned indefinitely from the National Football League for their role in the New Orleans Saints bounty scandal.{{Cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/7718549/nfl-harsh-penalties-new-orleans-saints-ensure-elimination-bounty-systems|title=Fox: Goodell drives his point home|date=March 21, 2012|website=ESPN.com|access-date=December 20, 2020|archive-date=March 1, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210301101310/https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/7718549/nfl-harsh-penalties-new-orleans-saints-ensure-elimination-bounty-systems|url-status=live}}
  • March 23 – Disney Junior, Disney Channel's daytime children's programming block, becomes a standalone 24-hour cable channel. The channel replaces Soapnet, which remains available (in a limited, automated form) for some cable and satellite providers who have not yet finalized carriage deals for Disney Junior, as well for Cablevision and Verizon FiOS (both of them have kept Soapnet on the air and added Disney Junior to their lineups as an additional channel).[http://blogs.sun-sentinel.com/tv/2012/01/soapnet-ends-march-23-disney-jr-takes-its-place.html "SoapNet ends March 23; Disney Jr. takes its place,"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120113205742/http://blogs.sun-sentinel.com/tv/2012/01/soapnet-ends-march-23-disney-jr-takes-its-place.html |date=January 13, 2012 }} from Sun Sentinel (Fort Lauderdale, Florida), 1/9/2012
  • March 24
  • Seven children and two adults are killed in a house fire in Charleston, West Virginia. It is considered the worst fire in six decades in the city.{{cite web|url=https://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/story/2012-03-24/fatal-west-virginia-fire/53748836/1|title=6 kids, 2 adults killed in W.Va. house blaze|website=USA Today|access-date=July 16, 2016|archive-date=June 27, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120627061349/http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/story/2012-03-24/fatal-west-virginia-fire/53748836/1|url-status=live}}
  • In Falls Church, Virginia, 71-year-old former United States Vice President Dick Cheney receives a heart transplant from an unidentified donor.{{cite web|url=http://m.cbsnews.com/storysynopsis.rbml?pageType=politics&catid=57403969&feed_id=3&videofeed=39|title=Politics News, Headlines and Video – CBS News|website=CBS News|access-date=July 16, 2016|archive-date=April 9, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120409130105/http://m.cbsnews.com/storysynopsis.rbml?pageType=politics&catid=57403969&feed_id=3&videofeed=39|url-status=dead}}
  • March 26–28 – National Federation of Independent Business v. Sebelius: In a historic three days of arguments, the U.S. Supreme Court hears from 26 states arguing against the constitutionality of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.{{cite news | url=https://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/judicial/story/2012-03-26/supreme-court-health-care-transcript-monday/53791270/1 | work=USA Today | title=Most Popular E-mail Newsletter | date=March 26, 2012 | access-date=August 23, 2017 | archive-date=July 2, 2012 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120702134150/http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/judicial/story/2012-03-26/supreme-court-health-care-transcript-monday/53791270/1 | url-status=live }}
  • March 27 – Guggenheim Partners, LLC agrees to purchase the Los Angeles Dodgers for US$2.1 billion, the most ever for a professional sports franchise.{{cite news|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052702303404704577308483250633906|title=$2 Billion Dodgers Price Tag Shatters Records|first=Matthew|last=Futterman|newspaper=Wall Street Journal|date=March 28, 2012|access-date=July 16, 2016|archive-date=March 13, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160313134415/http://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052702303404704577308483250633906|url-status=live}}
  • March 30–April 2 – Visa and Mastercard warn banks across the United States about a "massive" breach of security with more than 1.5 million North American credit card numbers potentially compromised. The security issue occurred at Atlanta-based Global Payments Inc. Subsequently, Visa announces that it is dropping Global Payments over the hacking data breach.{{cite web|url=http://m.smh.com.au/it-pro/security-it/visa-mastercard-suffer-massive-us-data-breach-20120331-1w4li.html|title=VISA, MasterCard suffer 'massive' US data breach|first=Brian|last=Krebs|date=August 6, 2012|access-date=July 16, 2016|archive-date=July 5, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120705102839/http://m.smh.com.au/it-pro/security-it/visa-mastercard-suffer-massive-us-data-breach-20120331-1w4li.html|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.globalpaymentsinc.com/DataProtection.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120331144946/http://www.globalpaymentsinc.com/DataProtection.html|url-status=dead|title=Global Payments Inc.|archive-date=March 31, 2012}}
  • March 31 – The two largest acting unions in the U.S., the Screen Actors Guild and American Federation of Television and Radio Artists, agree to merge forming SAG-AFTRA.{{Cite web|url=https://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5gqzHjafNdECXNiBdrjsRSSzieGZg?docId=ae2e83a3832f4d6dadd5c4c3672543b5|title=AP via Google}}{{dead link|date=June 2024|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}

= April =

  • April 2
  • A mass shooting at the private Korean Christian Oikos University in Oakland, California leaves seven people dead and three injured. It was perpetrated by 43-year-old One L. Goh, a former student at the school. He died on March 20, 2019, while in custody at California State Prison-Sacramento.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-17590859|title=US police name suspect in Oakland college shooting|publisher=BBC News|date=April 3, 2012|access-date=July 16, 2016|archive-date=April 3, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120403030031/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-17590859|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.ktvu.com/news/news/crime-law/one-dead-several-wounded-oakland-university-classr/nMHdf/?hpt=hp_t3|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120411082017/http://www.ktvu.com/news/news/crime-law/one-dead-several-wounded-oakland-university-classr/nMHdf/?hpt=hp_t3|url-status=dead|title=KTVU|archive-date=April 11, 2012}}
  • The data from the 1940 United States census is released, including information on 132 million people.{{cite web|url=https://1940census.archives.gov/|title=Welcome|access-date=July 16, 2016|archive-date=July 13, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160713112816/http://1940census.archives.gov/|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/living-history-more-than-21-million-people-could-find-themselves-in-1940-us-census-records/2012/04/02/gIQAr1qJqS_story.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181210064735/https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/living-history-more-than-21-million-people-could-find-themselves-in-1940-us-census-records/2012/04/02/gIQAr1qJqS_story.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=December 10, 2018|title=Sorry, we can't seem to find the page you're looking for.|date=April 2, 2012|access-date=July 16, 2016|via=washingtonpost.com}}
  • In college basketball, the University of Kentucky defeats the University of Kansas to win the 2012 NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament.{{cite web|url=https://www.foxnews.com/sports/kentucky-beats-kansas-67-59-to-win-national-title/|title=Kentucky beats Kansas 67–59 to win national title – Fox News|website=Fox News|date=April 2, 2012|access-date=July 16, 2016|archive-date=June 22, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120622143606/http://www.foxnews.com/sports/2012/04/02/kentucky-beats-kansas-67-5-to-win-national-title/|url-status=live}}
  • The U.S. Supreme Court makes a controversial 5–4 decision that law enforcement officials can strip-search newly admitted jail inmates even if the holding charge is minor.{{cite web|url=https://www.foxnews.com/politics/supreme-court-upholds-strip-searches-at-jails/|title=Supreme Court upholds strip searches at jails – Fox News|website=Fox News|date=April 2, 2012|access-date=July 16, 2016|archive-date=April 2, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130402014030/http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2012/04/02/supreme-court-upholds-strip-searches-at-jails/|url-status=live}}
  • April 5
  • In New York City, Russian businessman Victor Bout is sentenced to 25 years in prison for smuggling weapons to the Colombian FARC guerilla movement.{{citation needed|date=December 2020}}
  • Connecticut repeals the death penalty (those already on death row remain there).{{cite web|url=https://abcnews.go.com/US/connecticut-repeals-death-penalty-governor-dannel-malloy-signs/story?id=16212552|title=Connecticut Repeals Death Penalty|date=April 25, 2012|work=ABC News|access-date=July 16, 2016|archive-date=August 7, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160807052038/http://abcnews.go.com/US/connecticut-repeals-death-penalty-governor-dannel-malloy-signs/story?id=16212552|url-status=live}}
  • April 5–8 – American golfer Bubba Watson wins the US Masters defeating Louis Oosthuizen of South Africa in a playoff.{{cite web|url=http://www.theage.com.au/sport/golf/live-bubba-watson-wins-the-us-masters-20120408-1wjy9.html|title=Live: Bubba Watson wins the US Masters|first=Will|last=Brodie|date=April 8, 2012|access-date=July 16, 2016}} Although Oosthuizen was runner-up, in the final round he hit a rare albatross on the second hole (occurring last in 1994, it was only the fourth ever albatross in Masters history and the first to be televised, as well as, the first ever on that hole).{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/golf/17648976|title=BBC Sport|access-date=July 16, 2016}}{{Dead link|date=April 2019 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}
  • April 12 – U.S. Secret Service agents in Cartagena, Colombia, for President Barack Obama's attendance at the 6th Summit of the Americas, become embroiled in a scandal over the hiring of prostitutes. The investigation also implicates military personnel, and results in 9 agents being forced out of the Service.{{Cite web|url=https://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5gDRM6xqYfoVnumY9yyB_skQlu72w?docId=3725878611af477ea804036c082cc037|title=AP}}{{dead link|date=June 2024|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}
  • April 13 – In Miami-Dade County, a drunk driver illegally driving the South Dade TransitWay (then known as the Busway) southbound at more than 100 miles per hour t-bones a minivan traveling eastbound on Eureka Drive, approximately 17 miles southwest of Downtown Miami. One person is killed, three others (including the drunk driver) were injured, and the drunk driver arrested.{{cite news |date=April 13, 2012 |title=Driver Charged In Deadly SW Dade Hit & Run Accident |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/miami/news/13-year-old-girl-killed-in-hit-run-in-sw-miami-dade/ |work=CBS Miami |access-date=January 31, 2023 |archive-date=January 30, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230130191519/https://www.cbsnews.com/miami/news/13-year-old-girl-killed-in-hit-run-in-sw-miami-dade/ |url-status=live }} No bus drivers or passengers were injured or killed, as no buses were passing through (or stopping at an adjacent station) at the time of the crash.
  • April 20 – Marcus Robinson, due to have been executed in 2007, is ordered off death row after North Carolina Superior Court Judge Gregory Weeks rules his trial was tainted by racial bias, grounds for cancellation of a death sentence under the state's Racial Justice Act. The judge uses controversial statistical evidence of bias to grant the change of sentence.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-17762035|title=Racial bias saves death row man|publisher=BBC News|date=April 20, 2012|access-date=July 16, 2016|archive-date=February 3, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160203010238/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-17762035|url-status=live}}
  • April 22–May 2 – Chen Guangcheng, a civil rights activist in China, flees house arrest and seeks shelter at the U.S. Embassy in Beijing, causing a diplomatic incident.{{cite news|title=Blind Chinese Dissident Leaves U.S. Embassy for Medical Treatment|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2012/05/03/world/asia/chen-guangcheng-leaves-us-embassy-in-beijing-china.html|access-date=May 2, 2012|newspaper=The New York Times|date=May 2, 2012|first=Jane|last=Perlez|archive-date=June 6, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220606093404/http://www.nytimes.com/2012/05/03/world/asia/chen-guangcheng-leaves-us-embassy-in-beijing-china.html?_r=0|url-status=live}}
  • April 24 – The USDA announces that bovine spongiform encephalopathy ("mad cow disease") was found in a dairy cow in California.{{cite news |url=http://www.cnn.com/2012/04/24/health/california-mad-cow/index.html |title=Mad cow case confirmed in California |date=April 25, 2012 |publisher=CNN |access-date=April 27, 2012 |archive-date=April 27, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120427210531/http://www.cnn.com/2012/04/24/health/california-mad-cow/index.html |url-status=live }}
  • April 29 – Seven people are killed, including three children, when the vehicle they were in flipped over on the Bronx River Parkway in The Bronx, New York City.{{cite web|url=http://www.cnn.com/2012/04/29/us/new-york-fatal-crash/index.html|title=Vehicle flips, 7 die near Bronx Zoo|date=April 29, 2012|publisher=CNN|access-date=July 16, 2016|archive-date=August 18, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160818140721/http://www.cnn.com/2012/04/29/us/new-york-fatal-crash/index.html|url-status=live}}

= May =

  • May 1 – The sale for Guggenheim Partners to purchase the Los Angeles Dodgers is finalized for US$2.1 billion, the most ever for a professional sports franchise.http://espn.go.com/los-angeles/mlb/story/_/id/7877983/los-angeles-dodgers-sale-guggenheim-group-finalized [https://www.espn.com/los-angeles/mlb/story/_/id/7877983/los-angeles-dodgers-sale-guggenheim-group-finalized] ESPN/AP
  • May 2 – J. T. Ready, a border militia leader, apparently kills four people and himself at the home of his girlfriend in Phoenix, Arizona.{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2012/05/04/us/border-militiaman-among-5-dead-in-arizona-police-confirm.html |title=Border Militiaman Among 5 Dead in Arizona, Police Confirm |date=May 3, 2012 |first=Fernanda |last=Santos |newspaper=The New York Times |access-date=February 26, 2017 |archive-date=February 3, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170203202229/http://www.nytimes.com/2012/05/04/us/border-militiaman-among-5-dead-in-arizona-police-confirm.html |url-status=live }}
  • May 4 – The Avengers, directed by Joss Whedon, is released by Marvel Studios as the sixth film of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) and the final film in its "Phase One" slate. The first in the franchise distributed by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures, it becomes the third highest-grossing film of all time at that point (currently the eighth) and helps to boost the MCU and superhero films in general to a wider audience.
  • May 5 – In US horse racing, I'll Have Another wins the 2012 Kentucky Derby.{{cite web|url=http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/47250143/ns/horse_racing/|title=Homepage|date=August 23, 2015|access-date=July 16, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120506154653/http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/47250143/ns/horse_racing/|archive-date=May 6, 2012|url-status=dead}}
  • May 7
  • The CIA announces it had foiled a plot by Fahd al-Quso, a Yemeni affiliate of al-Qaida, to have a suicide bomber, using an improved version of the underwear bomb used by Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab in 2009, to blow up an American-bound airliner; no lives were ever at risk.{{Cite web|url=http://worldnews.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/05/07/11583173-report-cia-foiled-al-qaida-plot-to-destroy-us-bound-airliner?lite|title=World News - Report: CIA foiled al-Qaida plot to destroy US-bound airliner|date=May 7, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120507203424/http://worldnews.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/05/07/11583173-report-cia-foiled-al-qaida-plot-to-destroy-us-bound-airliner?lite|archive-date=May 7, 2012}}
  • The first licenses for autonomous cars in the U.S. are granted in Nevada to Google.{{cite news |url=http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2012/may/07/nevada-issues-google-first-license-self-driving-ca/ |title=Nevada issues Google first license for self-driving car |date=May 7, 2012 |first=Cy |last=Ryan |newspaper=Las Vegas Sun |access-date=May 9, 2012 |archive-date=January 11, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210111051449/https://lasvegassun.com/news/2012/may/07/nevada-issues-google-first-license-self-driving-ca/ |url-status=live }}
  • May 8
  • In a voter referendum, North Carolina amends the state constitution to include a ban on gay marriage and all other forms of same-sex unions.{{citation needed|date=August 2012}}
  • U.S. Senator Richard Lugar loses a Republican primary in Indiana to a Tea Party-backed challenger, becoming the first six-term Senator to lose a primary election since 1952.{{citation needed|date=February 2015}}
  • Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett wins a Democratic primary, and will face Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker on June 5 in the nation's third gubernatorial recall election.{{Cite web|url=https://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5hEWi5gPY070wguZqMGSxJtIUO-gw?docId=e29d96e20c2b498cbf4e5cd0a4a12da1|title=AP|access-date=November 10, 2016|archive-date=May 12, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120512031914/http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5hEWi5gPY070wguZqMGSxJtIUO-gw?docId=e29d96e20c2b498cbf4e5cd0a4a12da1|url-status=dead}}
  • May 9 – Barack Obama becomes the first sitting U.S. president to announce support for gay marriage.{{cite web|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/sns-mct-obama-makes-a-stand-says-he-supports-gay-marriage-20120510,0,123841.story|title=Chicago Tribune|website=Chicago Tribune|access-date=May 20, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120513202058/http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/sns-mct-obama-makes-a-stand-says-he-supports-gay-marriage-20120510,0,123841.story|archive-date=May 13, 2012|url-status=dead}}
  • May 11
  • William Balfour is found guilty of murdering the mother, brother and nephew of American entertainer Jennifer Hudson.{{cite web|url=https://abcnews.go.com/US/jennifer-hudson-family-murder-trial-guilty-counts/story?id=16312497|title=Guilty Verdict at Jennifer Hudson Family Murder|date=May 11, 2012|work=ABC News|access-date=July 16, 2016|archive-date=August 7, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160807011817/http://abcnews.go.com/US/jennifer-hudson-family-murder-trial-guilty-counts/story?id=16312497|url-status=live}}
  • A panel of American health experts recommends formal approval of the Truvada anti-HIV drug for prescription to non-infected men who have sex with multiple male partners, a decision opposed by some health workers and groups active among those with HIV.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-18030057|title=HIV prevention pill Truvada backed by US experts|publisher=BBC News|date=May 11, 2012|access-date=July 16, 2016|archive-date=July 14, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160714160246/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-18030057|url-status=live}}
  • May 20–21 – At the Chicago Summit, NATO leaders discuss the Middle East, nuclear weapons, Russia, and the Afghanistan War.{{citation needed|date=August 2012}}
  • May 21
  • Dharun Ravi, the U.S. student who secretly filmed the sexual activities of his gay roommate Tyler Clementi, who later committed suicide when the film was exposed, is sentenced to 30 days in prison by a New Jersey judge. Ravi avoids the maximum sentence of 10 years' imprisonment.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-18149395|title=Rutgers webcam spy Dharun Ravi sentenced to 30 days|publisher=BBC News|date=May 21, 2012|access-date=July 16, 2016|archive-date=February 3, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160203010238/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-18149395|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=http://www.aljazeera.com/news/americas/2012/05/2012521202341749871.html|title=Prison term in US gay-bullying case|access-date=July 16, 2016|archive-date=September 23, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160923162727/http://www.aljazeera.com/news/americas/2012/05/2012521202341749871.html|url-status=live}}
  • A rare annular solar eclipse occurs, visible from East Asia, the North Pacific, and the Western United States.{{cite web|url=http://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/1652081/Solar-eclipse-viewed-over-Asia|title=Rare solar eclipse viewed over Asia|access-date=July 16, 2016|archive-date=August 10, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120810094936/http://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/1652081/Solar-eclipse-viewed-over-Asia|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|url=http://www.aljazeera.com/news/asia-pacific/2012/05/201252023221141226.html|title='Ring of fire' eclipse thrills skygazers|access-date=July 16, 2016|archive-date=September 23, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160923171435/http://www.aljazeera.com/news/asia-pacific/2012/05/201252023221141226.html|url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-18120081|title=Millions witness Pacific 'ring of fire' eclipse|publisher=BBC News|date=May 21, 2012|access-date=July 16, 2016|archive-date=March 10, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160310082337/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-18120081|url-status=live}}
  • May 22 – NASA and SpaceX launch Dragon COTS Demo Flight 2 toward the International Space Station. It becomes the first commercial spacecraft to rendezvous and berth with another spacecraft.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-18154937|title=Nasa chief hails new era in space|publisher=BBC News|date=May 22, 2012|access-date=July 16, 2016|archive-date=May 23, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120523025741/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-18154937|url-status=live}}
  • May 23 – Shakeel Afridi, a Pakistani physician who helped the CIA to track down Osama bin Laden by collecting DNA samples from residents of bin Laden's compound, is sentenced to 33 years' imprisonment for treason.{{cite web|url=http://www.cnn.com/2012/05/23/world/asia/pakistan-bin-laden-doctor/index.html|title=Pakistani doctor accused of helping U.S. gets 33 years in prison|first=Reza|last=Sayah|date=May 23, 2012|publisher=CNN|access-date=July 16, 2016|archive-date=March 7, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160307203712/http://www.cnn.com/2012/05/23/world/asia/pakistan-bin-laden-doctor/index.html|url-status=live}}
  • May 27 – Scottish driver Dario Franchitti wins the 96th Indianapolis 500. It is his third win there.{{Cite web|url=https://sports.yahoo.com/news/dario-franchitti-wins-96th-indianapolis-191934532--spt.html|title=AP via Yahoo! Sports|access-date=July 28, 2016|archive-date=May 31, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120531112859/http://sports.yahoo.com/news/dario-franchitti-wins-96th-indianapolis-191934532--spt.html|url-status=dead}}
  • May 31 – A jury clears former Democratic Party vice presidential candidate for John Edwards on one count of corruption, with the judge ordering a mistrial on the other five counts.{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2012/may/31/john-edwards-walks-free-mistrial|title=John Edwards walks free after chaotic end to corruption trial|first1=Karen|last1=McVeigh|first2=Chris|last2=McGreal|work=The Guardian|date=May 31, 2012|access-date=July 16, 2016|archive-date=April 28, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160428204915/http://www.theguardian.com/world/2012/may/31/john-edwards-walks-free-mistrial|url-status=live}}

= June =

  • June 5 – Incumbent Governor of Wisconsin Scott Walker wins a recall election against Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett, becoming the first Governor in United States history to survive a recall.{{cite news |url=http://www.cnn.com/2012/06/05/politics/wisconsin-recall-vote/index.html |title=Walker's Wisconsin win big blow to unions, smaller one to Obama |publisher=CNN.com |date=June 6, 2012 |access-date=August 18, 2012 |archive-date=August 19, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120819011046/http://www.cnn.com/2012/06/05/politics/wisconsin-recall-vote/index.html |url-status=live }}
  • June 7 – LinkedIn says that some of its members' passwords have been "compromised" following reports that more than six million passwords were leaked on the Internet.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-18338956|title=LinkedIn passwords leaked by hackers|publisher=BBC News|date=June 6, 2012|access-date=July 16, 2016|archive-date=July 21, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160721171417/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-18338956|url-status=live}}
  • June 11
  • In ice hockey, the NHL's Los Angeles Kings defeat the New Jersey Devils 6–1 in game 6 of the 2012 Stanley Cup Finals to win the Los Angeles Kings' first Stanley Cup. Los Angeles goalie Jonathan Quick is awarded the Conn Smythe Trophy as the playoffs MVP.{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nhl/boxscore?gameId=400265531|title=New Jersey Devils vs. Los Angeles Kings – Boxscore – June 11, 2012 – ESPN|access-date=July 16, 2016|archive-date=June 16, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120616064117/http://scores.espn.go.com/nhl/boxscore?gameId=400265531|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=http://msn.foxsports.com/nhl/story/Los-Angeles-Kings-win-Stanley-Cup-defeat-New-Jersey-Devils-6-1-Game-6-061112|title=The Los Angeles Kings win first Stanley Cup, defeat New Jersey Devils in Game 6|work=Fox Sports|access-date=July 16, 2016|archive-date=December 15, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121215032227/http://msn.foxsports.com/nhl/story/Los-Angeles-Kings-win-Stanley-Cup-defeat-New-Jersey-Devils-6-1-Game-6-061112|url-status=live}}
  • John Bryson crashes:
  • Police in the San Gabriel Valley in southern California cite United States Secretary of Commerce John Bryson for felony hit and run for alleged involvement in a series of accidents on the weekend.{{Cite web |url=http://www.newsday.com/news/nation/police-commerce-secretary-bryson-cited-for-felony-hit-and-run-following-calif-crashes-1.3774106 |title=AP via Newsday |access-date=January 21, 2013 |archive-date=June 15, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120615222730/http://www.newsday.com/news/nation/police-commerce-secretary-bryson-cited-for-felony-hit-and-run-following-calif-crashes-1.3774106 |url-status=live }}
  • Bryson takes medical leave while he undergoes test related to a seizure that occurred during the crashes.{{citation needed|date=February 2015}}
  • June 12 – The children's illustrated storybook Topsy Turvy Tales is published.{{cite web | last =Frost | first =Christopher | title =Review: "Topsy Turvy Tales" | work =Neon: A Literary Magazine | publisher =Neon Magazine | date =July 2012 | url =http://www.neonmagazine.co.uk/?p=1910 | accessdate =2012-08-25 | archive-date =September 21, 2013 | archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20130921162713/http://www.neonmagazine.co.uk/?p=1910 | url-status =live }}
  • The U.S. Anti-Doping Agency brings drugs charges against seven-time Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong.
  • June 13
  • Scientists decode the bonobo genome, making it last great ape to have its DNA sequence laid bare, following the chimpanzee, orangutan and gorilla.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-18430420|title=Bonobo's genetic code laid bare|publisher=BBC News|date=June 13, 2012|access-date=July 16, 2016|archive-date=February 3, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160203010238/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-18430420|url-status=live}}
  • U.S. federal prosecutors drop corruption charges against former Senator John Edwards following a mistrial.{{cite web|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/federal-prosecutors-drop-campaign-corruption-case-against-john-edwards-following-mistrial/2012/06/13/gJQASMeZaV_story.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120613234417/http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/federal-prosecutors-drop-campaign-corruption-case-against-john-edwards-following-mistrial/2012/06/13/gJQASMeZaV_story.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=June 13, 2012|title=Sorry, we can't seem to find the page you're looking for.|date=June 13, 2012|access-date=July 16, 2016|via=washingtonpost.com}}
  • Nuclear Spectroscopic Telescope Array (NuSTAR) launches. The satellite is a space-based X-ray telescope that will use a Wolter telescope to focus high energy X-rays at 5 to 80 keV from astrophysical sources, especially for nuclear spectroscopy.{{cite web|url=http://www.nustar.caltech.edu/about-nustar|title=About|access-date=July 16, 2016|archive-date=February 16, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140216220149/http://www.nustar.caltech.edu/about-nustar|url-status=live}} It is the eleventh mission of the NASA Small Explorer satellite program (SMEX-11) and the first space-based direct-imaging X-ray telescope at energies beyond those of the Chandra X-ray Observatory and XMM-Newton.
  • June 14 – Financier and cricket mogul Allen Stanford is sentenced to 110 years in prison after siphoning billions from investors.{{cite web|url=http://www.aljazeera.com/sport/cricket/2012/06/201261418510412433.html|title=Cricket mogul sentenced to 110 years|access-date=July 16, 2016|archive-date=September 23, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160923162719/http://www.aljazeera.com/sport/cricket/2012/06/201261418510412433.html|url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-18450893|title=Allen Stanford jailed for 110 years for $7bn Ponzi|publisher=BBC News|date=June 14, 2012|access-date=July 16, 2016|archive-date=February 3, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160203010238/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-18450893|url-status=live}}
  • June 15
  • U.S. president Barack Obama announces that the U.S. will stop deporting some illegal immigrants.{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2012/06/16/us/us-to-stop-deporting-some-illegal-immigrants.html|title=Obama to Permit Young Migrants to Remain in U.S.|date=June 16, 2012|work=The New York Times|access-date=July 16, 2016|archive-date=March 20, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190320125321/https://www.nytimes.com/2012/06/16/us/us-to-stop-deporting-some-illegal-immigrants.html|url-status=live}}
  • Former Goldman Sachs director Rajat Gupta is convicted of three counts of securities fraud and one count of conspiracy related to insider trading in 2011.{{cite news|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052702303822204577468470878668722|title=Insider Case Lands Big Catch|first=Chad Bray, Michael Rothfeld and Reed|last=Albergotti|newspaper=Wall Street Journal|date=June 15, 2012|access-date=July 16, 2016|archive-date=July 16, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160716013329/http://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052702303822204577468470878668722|url-status=live}}
  • June 17 – In golf, American Webb Simpson wins the U.S. Open.{{cite web|url=http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/47852574/ns/sports-golf/|title=Homepage|date=August 23, 2015|access-date=July 16, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120823123024/http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/47852574/ns/sports-golf|archive-date=August 23, 2012|url-status=dead}}
  • June 18 – Former American Major League Baseball player Roger Clemens is acquitted on all charges in a perjury trial.{{cite web|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/roger-clemens-acquitted-on-all-charges-in-perjury-trial/|title=Roger Clemens acquitted on all charges in perjury trial|website=CBS News|access-date=July 16, 2016|archive-date=September 8, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130908233126/http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-400_162-57455533/roger-clemens-acquitted-on-all-charges-in-perjury-trial/|url-status=live}}
  • June 20
  • The United States House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform votes 23–17 in favor of holding United States Attorney General Eric Holder in contempt of Congress after he failed to release documents relating to Operation Fast and Furious. It is the first time a US Attorney General is held in contempt.{{cite news |url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/06/20/eric-holder-contempt-vote-fast-and-furious-darrel-issa_n_1612046.html |title=House Oversight Committee Votes To Hold Eric Holder In Contempt Of Congress |publisher=Huffingtonpost.com |date=June 21, 2012 |access-date=August 18, 2012 |archive-date=July 23, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120723112227/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/06/20/eric-holder-contempt-vote-fast-and-furious-darrel-issa_n_1612046.html |url-status=live }}
  • President Barack Obama invokes executive privilege on documents associated with Fast and Furious following a request by the House Oversight Committee.{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/fast-and-furious-scandal-obama-exerts-executive-privilege-house-panel-moves-forward-with-contempt-vote/2012/06/20/gJQAGImIqV_story.html|title=Fast and Furious scandal: House panel votes to hold Eric Holder in contempt|newspaper=The Washington Post|access-date=July 16, 2016|archive-date=June 14, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160614181421/https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/fast-and-furious-scandal-obama-exerts-executive-privilege-house-panel-moves-forward-with-contempt-vote/2012/06/20/gJQAGImIqV_story.html|url-status=live}}
  • June 21
  • The Miami Heat wins the 2012 NBA Finals defeating the Oklahoma City Thunder four games to one. LeBron James wins the NBA Finals MVP award.{{cite web|url=http://scores.espn.go.com/nba/recap?gameId=320621014|title=Thunder vs. Heat – Game Recap – June 21, 2012 – ESPN|access-date=July 16, 2016|archive-date=April 13, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160413082447/http://scores.espn.go.com/nba/recap?gameId=320621014|url-status=dead}}{{cite news|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052702304765304577481540670656900|title=Heat Claim Their NBA Kingdom|first=Kevin|last=Clark|newspaper=Wall Street Journal|date=June 22, 2012|access-date=July 16, 2016|archive-date=August 18, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160818150119/http://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052702304765304577481540670656900|url-status=live}}
  • Moody's downgrades the credit rating of 15 major world banks: UK (Royal Bank of Scotland, Barclays and HSBC), US (Bank of America, Citigroup, Goldman Sachs and JP Morgan), Rest of world (Credit Suisse, UBS, BNP Paribas, Credit Agricole, Societe Generale, Deutsche Bank, Royal Bank of Canada and Morgan Stanley).{{cite web|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2012/06/25/15-major-investment-banks-see-ratings-cut-by-moodys.html|title=15 Major Investment Banks See Ratings Cut by Moody's|first=Mary|last=Thompson|website=CNBC|date=June 25, 2012|access-date=July 16, 2016|archive-date=August 20, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160820215523/http://www.cnbc.com/id/47908669|url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-18542691|title=Moody's downgrades 15 major banks|publisher=BBC News|date=June 22, 2012|access-date=July 16, 2016|archive-date=May 3, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160503081448/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-18542691|url-status=live}}
  • John Bryson resigns as United States Secretary of Commerce following a seizure that led to two car accidents.{{cite web|url=http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0612/77695.html|title=Bryson resigns from Commerce|website=Politico|date=June 21, 2012|access-date=July 16, 2016|archive-date=June 13, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130613061030/http://www.politico.com//news/stories/0612/77695.html|url-status=live}}
  • June 22
  • Jerry Sandusky, former American football coach at Pennsylvania State University, is convicted on 45 charges of child sex abuse. He is on suicide watch.{{Cite web|url=http://www.ajc.com/sports/official-sandusky-jury-has-1462298.html|title=AP via Atlanta Journal-Constitution}}{{Cite web|url=http://usnews.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/06/23/12374414-sandusky-reportedly-on-suicide-watch?lite|title=Sandusky reportedly on suicide watch - U.S. News|date=June 25, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120625030824/http://usnews.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/06/23/12374414-sandusky-reportedly-on-suicide-watch?lite|archive-date=June 25, 2012}}
  • Pixar Animation Studios' 13th feature film, Brave, is released in theaters.
  • June 25
  • Arizona defeats South Carolina to win its first College World Series title since 1986 and fourth overall. Arizona outfielder Robert Refsnyder is named the Most Outstanding Player.{{citation needed|date=February 2015}}
  • Arizona v. United States: In a 5–3 decision, the US Supreme Court strikes down most of the Arizona Immigration Law passed in 2010, but unanimously upholds the most controversial provision, which allows police officers to ask the immigration status of any person suspected of a crime.{{cite news |url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/06/25/arizona-immigration-law-ruling_n_1614067.html |title=Arizona Immigration Law Ruling: Supreme Court Delivers Split Decision |publisher=Huffingtonpost.com |date=June 26, 2012 |access-date=August 18, 2012 |archive-date=August 29, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120829180720/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/06/25/arizona-immigration-law-ruling_n_1614067.html |url-status=live }}
  • June 28
  • National Federation of Independent Business v. Sebelius: In a 5–4 decision, the US Supreme Court upholds the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act as constitutional under the taxing and spending clause.{{cite news |url=http://www.suntimes.com/news/metro/13315411-418/supreme-court-strike-down-individual-mandate.html |title=Supreme Court rules Obamacare individual mandate constitutional – Chicago Sun-Times |publisher=Suntimes.com |access-date=August 18, 2012 |archive-date=August 18, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120818125151/http://www.suntimes.com/news/metro/13315411-418/supreme-court-strike-down-individual-mandate.html |url-status=live }}
  • US Attorney General Eric Holder is held in contempt of Congress by a vote of 255–67. Holder is the first Attorney General held in contempt of Congress in US history.{{cite web |url=https://www.usnews.com/news/articles/2012/06/28/attorney-general-eric-holder-held-in-contempt-of-congress |title=Attorney General Eric Holder Held in Contempt of Congress – U.S. News & World Report |publisher=Usnews.com |date=June 28, 2012 |access-date=August 18, 2012 |archive-date=August 18, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120818110023/http://www.usnews.com/news/articles/2012/06/28/attorney-general-eric-holder-held-in-contempt-of-congress |url-status=live }}
  • United States and United Kingdom regulators hit Barclays bank with a record fine (US$453 million) for distorting key interest rates to rig international markets.{{cite web|url=https://www.foxnews.com/world/uk-probing-more-banks-for-interest-rate-fixing/|title=UK probing more banks for interest rate fixing – Fox News|website=Fox News|date=June 28, 2012|access-date=July 16, 2016|archive-date=June 29, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120629055406/http://www.foxnews.com/world/2012/06/28/barclays-ex-ceo-board-faces-decision-on-leader/|url-status=live}}
  • Anthony Davis is chosen first in the 2012 NBA draft at Newark, New Jersey.{{cite web|url=http://content.usatoday.com/communities/gameon/post/2012/06/live-nba-draft-grades-pick-by-pick-analysis-as-it-happens/1|title=NBA draft grades: Pick-by-pick analysis|access-date=July 16, 2016|archive-date=June 5, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150605045746/http://content.usatoday.com/communities/gameon/post/2012/06/live-nba-draft-grades-pick-by-pick-analysis-as-it-happens/1|url-status=live}}
  • Dealing a blow to the FBI's high-profile global copyright theft case, a New Zealand court rules that search warrants used to raid the home of Kim Dotcom, founder of MegaUpload, in connection to alleged copyright infringement were invalid.{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-newzealand-dotcom-court-idUSBRE85R08720120628|title=NZ court finds Megaupload search warrants illegal|date=June 28, 2012|access-date=July 16, 2016|newspaper=Reuters|archive-date=August 17, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160817192821/http://www.reuters.com/article/us-newzealand-dotcom-court-idUSBRE85R08720120628|url-status=live}}

= July =

  • July 2
  • NASA and Lockheed Martin unveil the first space-bound Orion spacecraft in Cape Canaveral.{{cite web|url=http://www.floridatoday.com/article/20120702/SPACE/120702005/orion-delta-iv-4-spacecraft-kennedy-space-center|title=Florida Today|website=Florida Today|access-date=January 20, 2013|archive-date=July 6, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120706025858/http://www.floridatoday.com/article/20120702/SPACE/120702005/orion-delta-iv-4-spacecraft-kennedy-space-center|url-status=live}}
  • At least 2 million throughout the Eastern United States are still without power due to strong storms and a heat wave that killed 19 people.{{cite web|url=http://www.cnn.com/2012/07/02/us/extreme-heat/index.html|title=Amid unrelenting heat, frustrations rise for tens of thousands still without power|date=July 2, 2012|publisher=CNN|access-date=July 16, 2016|archive-date=August 6, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160806063508/http://www.cnn.com/2012/07/02/us/extreme-heat/index.html|url-status=live}}
  • GlaxoSmithKline settles the largest healthcare fraud case in US history for $3 billion.{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-glaxo-settlement-idUSBRE8610S720120702|title=GlaxoSmithKline settles healthcare fraud case for $3 billion|date=July 2, 2012|access-date=July 16, 2016|newspaper=Reuters|archive-date=August 17, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160817113217/http://www.reuters.com/article/us-glaxo-settlement-idUSBRE8610S720120702|url-status=live}}
  • July 9 – FBI has stopped assisting in DNS Changer Malware redirects; after this date Americans were told to visit the designated website to determine if their computers are infected.[http://www.foxnews.com/scitech/2012/04/23/hundreds-thousands-may-lose-internet-in-july/ Hundreds of thousands may lose Internet in July] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120423225056/http://www.foxnews.com/scitech/2012/04/23/hundreds-thousands-may-lose-internet-in-july/ |date=April 23, 2012 }}. FoxNews.com (April 23, 2012)
  • July 12
  • Former FBI Director Louis Freeh's report into the Penn State sex abuse scandal is released, alleging that late head football coach Joe Paterno and other school officials covered up child sexual abuse by former assistant coach Jerry Sandusky.{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/8159195/report-says-penn-state-nittany-lions-senior-officials-disregarded-children-welfare|title=Report: Penn St. disregarded children's welfare|date=July 12, 2012|access-date=July 16, 2016|archive-date=April 3, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160403215525/http://espn.go.com/college-football/story/_/id/8159195/report-says-penn-state-nittany-lions-senior-officials-disregarded-children-welfare|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=http://www.cnn.com/2012/07/12/us/pennsylvania-penn-state-paterno/index.html|title=Penn State review recasts story of football hero Paterno|first=Josh|last=Levs|date=July 12, 2012|publisher=CNN|access-date=July 16, 2016|archive-date=August 18, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160818033426/http://www.cnn.com/2012/07/12/us/pennsylvania-penn-state-paterno/index.html|url-status=live}}
  • Wells Fargo decides to pay a $175 million settlement in a subprime mortgage compensation case.{{cite web|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/business/breaking/chi-wells-fargo-to-pay-175m-in-subprime-mortgage-settlement-20120712,0,964689.story|title=Chicago Tribune|website=Chicago Tribune|access-date=January 20, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120730061145/http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/breaking/chi-wells-fargo-to-pay-175m-in-subprime-mortgage-settlement-20120712,0,964689.story|archive-date=July 30, 2012|url-status=dead}}
  • July 16
  • NBCUniversal buys full control of the US news website MSNBC.com and rebrands it as NBCNews.com.{{cite web|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna48180815|title=MSNBC.com becomes NBCNews.com|website=NBC News|date=July 16, 2012|access-date=July 16, 2016|archive-date=March 23, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150323085343/http://www.nbcnews.com/id/48180815|url-status=live}}
  • The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approves Truvada as the first drug shown to reduce the risk of HIV infection.{{cite web|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/truvada-approved-by-fda-as-first-hiv-prevention-pill/|title=Truvada approved by FDA as first HIV-prevention pill|website=CBS News|access-date=July 16, 2016|archive-date=October 11, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131011225715/http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-504763_162-57473116-10391704/truvada-approved-by-fda-as-first-hiv-prevention-pill/|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.usatoday.com/news/health/story/2012-07-16/hiv-pill-truvada-approved-by-fda/56254246/1|title=FDA approves Truvada, the first pill to help prevent HIV|website=USA Today|access-date=July 16, 2016|archive-date=August 31, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120831120713/http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/story/2012-07-16/hiv-pill-truvada-approved-by-fda/56254246/1|url-status=live}}
  • July 17 – After President Barack Obama's long-form birth certificate was released by the White House on April 27, 2011,{{cite web|url=https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/sites/default/files/rss_viewer/birth-certificate-long-form.pdf|title=White House: birth certificate|access-date=August 26, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170125144906/https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/sites/default/files/rss_viewer/birth-certificate-long-form.pdf|archive-date=January 25, 2017|via=National Archives|work=whitehouse.gov|url-status=live}} Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio contends that the document is a computer-generated forgery. Additionally, his six-month-long review included an examination of President Obama's Selective Service card and contended that it, also, is a forgery. Their claims were presented at that press conference, and at a second press conference held on March 31, 2012.{{cite news |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=7400631n |title=Sheriff Arpaio says Obama's birth certificate is forged – CBS News Video |publisher=Cbsnews.com |access-date=May 23, 2013 |archive-date=May 20, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130520161545/http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=7400631n |url-status=live }}The results of the investigation were published in the book, A Question of Eligibility: A Law Enforcement Investigation into Barack Obama's Birth Certificate and His Eligibility to be President, co-authored by Mike Zullo, MCSO Cold Case Posse Chief Investigator, and Jerome Corsi, an American author, political commentator and conspiracy theorist, with the introduction written by Arpaio. Paperless Publishing LLC (February 29, 2012), Amazon Digital Services, Inc., {{ASIN|B007FWO19W}} The allegations regarding the birth certificate were repeated at a July 17, 2012, news conference, where Arpaio stated that his investigators are certain that Obama's long-form birth certificate is fraudulent.{{cite web|agency=Associated Press|title=Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio: Obama birth record 'definitely fraudulent'|url=http://www.dailynews.com/news/ci_21097312/maricopa-county-sheriff-joe-arpaio-obama-birth-record|publisher=Daily News (Los Angeles)|access-date=July 18, 2012|date=July 17, 2012}} In response to Arpaio's claims, Joshua A. Wisch, a special assistant to Hawaii's attorney general, said, "President Obama was born in Honolulu, and his birth certificate is valid. Regarding the latest allegations from a sheriff in Arizona, they are untrue, misinformed and misconstrue Hawaii law."{{cite web |date=July 17, 2012 |url=http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0712/78645.html |title=Joe Arpaio: Obama birth certificate a fraud |agency=Associated Press |work=Politico |access-date=May 23, 2013 |archive-date=July 20, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120720021149/http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0712/78645.html |url-status=live }}
  • July 20 – 2012 Aurora, Colorado shooting: Twelve people die and 70 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. He is found behind the theater claiming to be "The Joker".{{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 – Yahoo! |publisher=Gma.yahoo.com |date=July 20, 2012 |access-date=August 18, 2012 |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 22 – Thirteen are killed and another 10 are injured when a pickup truck crashes in Texas.{{cite web|url=http://www.cnn.com/2012/07/23/us/texas-truck-wreck/index.html|title=14 die when packed pickup truck crashes in Texas|first=Leslie|last=Tripp|date=July 23, 2012|publisher=CNN|access-date=July 16, 2016|archive-date=August 6, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160806011011/http://www.cnn.com/2012/07/23/us/texas-truck-wreck/index.html|url-status=live}}
  • July 23 – The NCAA announces severe penalties against Penn State's football program as a result of the school's child sex abuse scandal as a result of the scandal coach Joe Paterno has his wins from 1998 to 2011 vacated dropping him from 1st to 12 on the list of NCAA winningest football coaches however his wins are restored three years later as part of a settlement.{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/8191027/penn-state-nittany-lions-hit-60-million-fine-4-year-bowl-ban-wins-dating-1998|title=PSU: $60M fine, 4-year bowl ban, wins to 1998|date=July 23, 2012|access-date=July 16, 2016|archive-date=April 9, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160409174434/http://espn.go.com/college-football/story/_/id/8191027/penn-state-nittany-lions-hit-60-million-fine-4-year-bowl-ban-wins-dating-1998|url-status=live}}
  • July 25 – Dawn (spacecraft) begins its departure from 4 Vesta. The spacecraft is using its ion propulsion system to gradually raise its orbit.{{cite web|title=Dawn Gets Extra Time to Explore Vesta |publisher=NASA |url=http://www.nasa.gov./mission_pages/dawn/news/dawn20120418.html |date=April 18, 2012 |access-date=April 24, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120421191416/http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/dawn/news/dawn20120418.html |archive-date=April 21, 2012 }}
  • July 27–August 12 – The United States compete at the Summer Olympics in London, England and win 46 gold, 29 silver, and 29 bronze medals.{{citation needed|date=February 2013}}
  • July 31 – 2012 Summer Olympics: In swimming, Michael Phelps of the United States wins a record 19th Olympic medal, with gold in the 4 × 200 meters freestyle relay.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/olympics/19040217|title=BBC Sport|access-date=July 16, 2016}}{{Dead link|date=April 2019 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}

= August =

File:First 360 color panorama from the Curosity rover.jpg

File:Apollo 11 first step.jpg

  • August 5 – White Supremacist Wade Michael Page opens fire at a Sikh temple in Oak Creek, Wisconsin, killing six and wounding four before committing suicide after police arrived.{{cite web|url=http://www.cnn.com/2012/08/05/us/wisconsin-temple-shooting/index.html|title=Gunman, six others dead at Wisconsin Sikh temple|date=August 5, 2012|publisher=CNN|access-date=July 16, 2016|archive-date=November 8, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121108170132/http://www.cnn.com/2012/08/05/us/wisconsin-temple-shooting/index.html|url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-19138754|title=Seven killed in Wisconsin Sikh temple shooting|publisher=BBC News|date=August 6, 2012|access-date=July 16, 2016|archive-date=July 5, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160705101134/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-19138754|url-status=live}}
  • August 6
  • A fire at the Chevron Richmond Refinery in Richmond, California spreads thick black smoke over Contra Costa County, prompting warnings from officials to shelter in place.{{cite web|url=http://www.mercurynews.com/breaking-news/ci_21250598/large-fire-burning-at-chevron-refinery-richmond|title=Massive fire at Chevron refinery in Richmond fully contained; shelter in place lifted|date=August 6, 2012|access-date=July 16, 2016|archive-date=March 4, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304065907/http://www.mercurynews.com/breaking-news/ci_21250598/large-fire-burning-at-chevron-refinery-richmond|url-status=live}}
  • NASA's Mars Science Laboratory lands with the Curiosity rover.[http://www.nasa.gov/missions/highlights/schedule.html NASA's Launch Schedule] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100201184244/http://www.nasa.gov/missions/highlights/schedule.html |date=February 1, 2010 }}. Nasa.gov (October 6, 2011). Retrieved on October 10, 2011.[http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/msl/index.html Mars Science Laboratory] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130529180601/http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/msl/index.html |date=May 29, 2013 }}. Nasa.gov (October 5, 2011). Retrieved on October 10, 2011.{{cite web|url=http://marsprogram.jpl.nasa.gov/msl/|title=Mars Science Laboratory|first=JPL|last=NASA|access-date=July 16, 2016|archive-date=November 27, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111127020258/http://marsprogram.jpl.nasa.gov/msl/|url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=http://in.reuters.com/article/us-usa-mars-idINBRE8721A920120805|title=Mars rover Curiosity nears make-or-break landing attempt|newspaper=Reuters|date=August 5, 2012|access-date=July 16, 2016|archive-date=March 6, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160306173023/http://in.reuters.com/article/us-usa-mars-idINBRE8721A920120805|url-status=dead}}
  • August 8
  • Marvin Lee Wilson is executed by the state of Texas, despite the low IQ results that could have invalidated his punishment.{{cite web|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/texas-executes-man-despite-low-iq-claims/|title=Texas executes man despite low IQ claims|website=CBS News|access-date=July 16, 2016|archive-date=August 11, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120811002327/http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-201_162-57488757/texas-executes-man-despite-low-iq-claims/|url-status=live}}
  • Jared Lee Loughner, the shooter in the 2011 Tucson shooting, pleads guilty to all charges and is sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.{{cite web|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/jared-lee-loughners-long-term-prison-home-unclear/|title=Jared Lee Loughner's long term prison home unclear|website=CBS News|access-date=July 16, 2016|archive-date=May 6, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130506213737/http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-201_162-57489668/jared-lee-loughners-long-term-prison-home-unclear/|url-status=live}}
  • August 12
  • Kissing Shakespeare, a debut novel is published.{{cite web|url=http://www.pammingle.com/tag/kissing-shakespeare/ |title=Kissing Shakespeare |publisher=PamMingle.com |date= |accessdate=2014-02-17}}
  • Golfer Rory McIlroy wins the 2012 US PGA Championship at Kiawah Island.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/golf/19236496|title=Rory McIlroy wins US PGA Championship by eight shots|first=Saj|last=Chowdhury|publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=July 16, 2016|archive-date=February 3, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160203010239/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/golf/19236496|url-status=live}}
  • August 16 – After an outbreak of the mosquito-borne West Nile virus kills at least 17 people, the mayor of Dallas Mike Rawlings declares a state of emergency in the city. This paves the way for aerial spraying of synthetic pyrethroid insecticides from tonight on. Many residents express their concerns over safety and effectiveness; they suggest other preventive methods of mosquito control. Officials said the measures could cost as much as $1.2 million.{{cite web|url=http://www.aljazeera.com/news/americas/2012/08/2012815224318379485.html|title=Virus emergency declared in Texas|access-date=July 16, 2016|archive-date=September 24, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160924020106/http://www.aljazeera.com/news/americas/2012/08/2012815224318379485.html|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/news/nation/nationnow/la-na-nn-dallas-west-nile-spray-20120816,0,607038.story|title=Dallas West Nile aerial pesticide spraying to begin overnight|first=Molly|last=Hennessy-Fiske|date=August 16, 2012|access-date=July 16, 2016|via=LA Times|archive-date=December 14, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121214121759/http://www.latimes.com/news/nation/nationnow/la-na-nn-dallas-west-nile-spray-20120816,0,607038.story|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=http://www.dallasnews.com/news/community-news/dallas/headlines/20120815-aerial-spraying-for-west-nile-to-start-at-10-tonight-in-dallas-park-cities.ece|title=Aerial spraying for West Nile to start at 10 tonight in Dallas, Park Cities|access-date=July 16, 2016|archive-date=August 17, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160817010949/http://www.dallasnews.com/news/community-news/dallas/headlines/20120815-aerial-spraying-for-west-nile-to-start-at-10-tonight-in-dallas-park-cities.ece|url-status=live}} Over the whole of the United States for the year, there were 243 deaths out of 5387 total cases.
  • August 24
  • 2012 Empire State Building shooting: A gunman shoots and kills a former coworker near the Empire State Building in New York City. Following the initial shooting, police kill the gunman, and nine other people are wounded.{{cite web|url=http://www.cnn.com/2012/08/24/justice/new-york-empire-state/index.html|title=2 dead, 9 wounded in Empire State Building shootings, police say|first=David|last=Ariosto|date=August 24, 2012|publisher=CNN|access-date=July 16, 2016|archive-date=August 10, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160810082358/http://www.cnn.com/2012/08/24/justice/new-york-empire-state/index.html|url-status=live}}
  • A jury in the U.S. state of California rules that Samsung Electronics owes Apple Inc. over US$1 billion for patent infringement.{{cite web|url=https://gizmodo.com/5937781/samsung-owes-apple-105-billion-in-damages-so-far|title=Samsung Owes Apple a Comedically Huge $1.05 Billion in Damages (Updated)|first=Brian|last=Barrett|date=August 24, 2012|access-date=July 16, 2016|archive-date=June 25, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160625191956/http://gizmodo.com/5937781/samsung-owes-apple-105-billion-in-damages-so-far|url-status=live}}
  • The U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts, in the case Sony BMG v. Tenenbaum, awards Sony BMG US$675,000 in statutory damages against Joel Tenenbaum, who shared 30 MP3 files through the defunct Kazaa network.{{cite web|url=http://www.decryptedtech.com/news/joel-tenenbaum-675000-dollar-fine-upheld-in-latest-round-with-the-riaa|title=Joel Tenenbaum 675,000 Dollar Fine Upheld in Latest Round With The RIAA|first=Sean|last=Kalinich|access-date=July 16, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120830191539/http://www.decryptedtech.com/news/joel-tenenbaum-675000-dollar-fine-upheld-in-latest-round-with-the-riaa|archive-date=August 30, 2012|url-status=dead}}
  • The United States Anti-Doping Agency says it will ban former professional road racing cyclist Lance Armstrong for life and recommend he be stripped of his record seven Tour de France titles.{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/othersports/lance-armstrong-faces-lifetime-ban-from-usada-tour-de-france-titles-in-jeopardy/2012/08/24/053a2320-ed98-11e1-9ddc-340d5efb1e9c_story.html|title=Lance Armstrong faces lifetime ban from USADA; Tour de France titles in jeopardy|newspaper=The Washington Post|access-date=July 16, 2016|archive-date=October 14, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121014160449/http://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/othersports/lance-armstrong-faces-lifetime-ban-from-usada-tour-de-france-titles-in-jeopardy/2012/08/24/053a2320-ed98-11e1-9ddc-340d5efb1e9c_story.html|url-status=live}}
  • August 25 – Neil Armstrong, an American astronaut and the first person to walk upon the Moon, dies at age 82.{{cite news|url=http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/breaking-news/neil-armstrong-dead-at-age-82-report/story-fn3dxix6-1226458176249|title=Neil Armstrong dead at age 82 – report|publisher=The Australian|access-date=August 25, 2012|date=August 26, 2012|archive-date=August 25, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120825212537/http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/breaking-news/neil-armstrong-dead-at-age-82-report/story-fn3dxix6-1226458176249|url-status=live}}
  • August 30 – Lucimarian Tolliver mother of GMA host Robin Roberts dies at the age of 88.

= September =

File:2012 meningitis cases.svg]]

  • September 3 – Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood, a spinoff of Mister Rogers' Neighborhood debuts on PBS Kids.{{Cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/fred-rogers-legacy-lives-a-217532|title=Fred Rogers' Legacy Lives on With a 'Mister Rogers' Neighborhood' Animated Spin Off From PBS|website=The Hollywood Reporter|date=July 31, 2011|access-date=March 16, 2021|archive-date=October 12, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171012151055/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/fred-rogers-legacy-lives-a-217532|url-status=live}}
  • September 4 – The NASA space probe Dawn escapes from 4 Vesta to begin its flight to Ceres (arriving in February 2015).[http://dawn.jpl.nasa.gov/feature_stories/engineers_assess_reaction_wheel.asp Dawn Engineers Assess Reaction Wheel] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150315131809/http://dawn.jpl.nasa.gov/feature_stories/engineers_assess_reaction_wheel.asp |date=March 15, 2015 }}
  • September 9 – American tennis player Serena Williams wins her fourth Women's Singles at the US Open.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/tennis/19531577|title=BBC Sport|access-date=July 16, 2016}}{{Dead link|date=April 2019 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}
  • September 10
  • An agreement is reached allowing the completion of the US National September 11 Memorial & Museum on the World Trade Center site in New York City.{{Cite web|url=http://www.seattlepi.com/news/article/Agreement-reached-for-Sept-11-museum-s-completion-3854471.php|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120911222500/http://www.seattlepi.com/news/article/Agreement-reached-for-Sept-11-museum-s-completion-3854471.php|url-status=dead|title=Seattle PI|archive-date=September 11, 2012}}
  • In lawn tennis, Andy Murray of the United Kingdom wins the Men's Singles of the 2012 US Open defeating Novak Djokovic of Serbia to become the first British player to win a Grand Slam singles title since Virginia Wade, and the first British man to do so since Fred Perry.{{cite web|url=http://www.theroar.com.au/2012/09/11/murray-downs-djokovic-to-win-us-open/|title=Murray downs Djokovic to win US Open|date=September 11, 2012|access-date=July 16, 2016|archive-date=September 17, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160917002647/http://www.theroar.com.au/2012/09/11/murray-downs-djokovic-to-win-us-open/|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/tennis/andy-murray-caps-superb-summer-of-british-sport-with-stunning-us-open-triumph-8122478.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220501/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/tennis/andy-murray-caps-superb-summer-of-british-sport-with-stunning-us-open-triumph-8122478.html |archive-date=May 1, 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=Andy Murray caps superb summer of British sport with stunning US Open|website=Independent.co.uk|date=September 11, 2012|access-date=July 16, 2016}}{{cbignore}}
  • September 11 – United States Embassy in Cairo, Egypt and Consulate in Benghazi, Libya are attacked by protesters claiming because of film produced by the Coptic Christian diaspora in Washington, mocking the Muslim prophet. Although no link has been made to the planned terrorist attack in Benghazi, it was claimed by the insurgent group Ansar al-Sharia. The attackers are responsible for killing a consulate staff, J. Christopher Stevens, two former U.S. Navy SEALs and GRS Agents Glen "Bub" Doherty and Tyrone "Rone" Woods, and Information Officer Sean Smith in Benghazi.{{citation needed|date=February 2015}} Stevens was the first sitting U.S. ambassador to be killed in office since Adolph Dubs in Afghanistan in 1979.{{cite news|url=http://www.cnn.com/2012/09/12/world/africa/libya-us-ambassador-killed/index.html|title=U.S. ambassador to Libya, 3 others killed in rocket attack, witness says|publisher=CNN|date=September 12, 2012|access-date=September 12, 2012|archive-date=September 12, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120912223600/http://www.cnn.com/2012/09/12/world/africa/libya-us-ambassador-killed/index.html|url-status=live}}{{cite news|title=US ambassadors killed in the line of duty |url=https://www.boston.com/news/nation/2012/09/12/ambassadors-killed-the-line-duty/muJr5wvpwTymVtlcfO9QZK/story.html |publisher=Boston.com |access-date=September 12, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120915014950/http://www.boston.com/news/nation/2012/09/12/ambassadors-killed-the-line-duty/muJr5wvpwTymVtlcfO9QZK/story.html |archive-date=September 15, 2012 }}
  • September 14
  • S&P Dow Jones Indices announces that UnitedHealth Group will replace Kraft Foods among the stock issuers that constitute the Dow Jones Industrial Average.{{cite web|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2012/09/14/unitedhealth-to-replace-kraft-in-dow-industrial-average.html|title=UnitedHealth to Replace Kraft in Dow Industrial Average|publisher=CNBC|date=September 14, 2012|access-date=July 16, 2016|archive-date=August 20, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160820210711/http://www.cnbc.com/id/49031374|url-status=live}}
  • Jack Daniel McCullough, formerly known as John Tessier, is convicted of the 1957 Sycamore, IL kidnapping and murder of 7-year-old Maria Ridulph.[http://www.aol.com/2011/07/27/maria-ridulph_n_910839.html?test=latestnews Maria Ridulph's Body Exhumed: Girl, 7, Murdered In 1957] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110927010117/http://www.aol.com/2011/07/27/maria-ridulph_n_910839.html?test=latestnews |date=September 27, 2011 }}. Aol.com. Retrieved on October 10, 2011.{{cite web |first=Michael |last=Tarm |url=https://news.yahoo.com/ex-cop-convicted-1957-murder-ill-girl-7-163107371.html |title=Ex-cop convicted in 1957 murder of Ill. girl, 7 – Yahoo! News |publisher=News.yahoo.com |date=September 14, 2012 |access-date=May 23, 2013 |archive-date=December 17, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131217174907/http://news.yahoo.com/ex-cop-convicted-1957-murder-ill-girl-7-163107371.html |url-status=live }}{{cite web|last=Tibbles|first=Kevin|title=72-year-old ex-cop convicted of slaying Illinois girl in 1957|url=http://usnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2012/09/14/13862379-72-year-old-ex-cop-convicted-of-slaying-illinois-girl-in-1957|publisher=NBC News and The Associated Press|access-date=December 3, 2012|date=September 14, 2012|archive-date=November 21, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121121092924/http://usnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2012/09/14/13862379-72-year-old-ex-cop-convicted-of-slaying-illinois-girl-in-1957|url-status=live}} He is later sentenced to life imprisonment.{{cite web |url=http://www.daily-chronicle.com/2012/12/09/mccullough-sentenced-to-life-in-prison/ab5fry8/ |date=December 10, 2012 |publisher=DeKalb IL Chronicle |title=McCullough sentenced to life in prison |access-date=December 10, 2012 |archive-date=December 12, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121212175634/http://www.daily-chronicle.com/2012/12/09/mccullough-sentenced-to-life-in-prison/ab5fry8/ |url-status=dead }}
  • September 16
  • The National Hockey League locks out its players after the expiry of the collective bargaining agreement.{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/8382911/nhl-officially-locks-players-cba-expires|title=NHL officially locks out players as CBA expires|date=September 15, 2012|access-date=July 16, 2016|archive-date=March 22, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160322053906/http://espn.go.com/nhl/story/_/id/8382911/nhl-officially-locks-players-cba-expires|url-status=live}}
  • RazorThreat software company of Ponticac, Michigan expands the reseller program, partnering with Ficus Consulting Group.{{Cite web|url=https://detroit.cbslocal.com/2012/09/17/razorthreat-partners-with-the-ficus-consulting-group-expanding-its-reseller-program/|title=RazorThreat Partners with the Ficus Consulting Group Expanding its Reseller Program|date=2012-09-17|language=en-US|access-date=2020-04-10}}
  • September 21–December 28 – There are 39 deaths out of 656 cases of people in 19 states infected with fungal meningitis from contaminated steroid medicine produced at an unsanitary compounding pharmacy in Massachusetts.{{cite web|url=http://www.cnn.com/2012/10/05/health/meningitis-exposure/index.html|title=More patients linked to fungal meningitis infections, CDC says|first=Miriam|last=Falco|date=October 5, 2012|publisher=CNN|access-date=July 16, 2016|archive-date=August 18, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160818113156/http://www.cnn.com/2012/10/05/health/meningitis-exposure/index.html|url-status=live}}[https://www.cdc.gov/hai/outbreaks/meningitis-map.html Multistate Fungal Meningitis Outbreak – Current Case Count] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131122103331/http://www.cdc.gov/hai/outbreaks/meningitis-map.html |date=November 22, 2013 }}
  • September 23 – Researchers find that there are four genetically distinct types of breast cancer.{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2012/09/24/health/study-finds-variations-of-breast-cancer.html|title=Study Divides Breast Cancer Into Four Distinct Types|date=September 24, 2012|work=The New York Times|access-date=July 16, 2016|archive-date=September 24, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120924091105/http://www.nytimes.com/2012/09/24/health/study-finds-variations-of-breast-cancer.html|url-status=live}}
  • September 27
  • The National Football League and the NFL Referees Association reach an agreement, ending the referee lockout that has been ongoing since June of this year.{{Cite web |url=https://www.boston.com/sports/football/patriots/extra_points/2012/09/deal_done_betwe.html |title=AP via Boston Globe |access-date=February 20, 2020 |archive-date=March 4, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304085348/http://www.boston.com/sports/football/patriots/extra_points/2012/09/deal_done_betwe.html |url-status=live }}
  • A mass shooting takes place at Accent Signage Systems, a sign company in Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States; five people are killed, including the gunman who committed suicide, and four others are wounded.{{cite web|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/09/27/minneapolis-shooting-accent-signage-systems_n_1921261.html|title=Huffington Post|website=HuffPost|access-date=February 20, 2020|archive-date=November 7, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131107230824/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/09/27/minneapolis-shooting-accent-signage-systems_n_1921261.html|url-status=live}}
  • September 28 – Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles debuts on Nickelodeon.{{cite web |url=http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2012/07/06/nickelodeons-teenage-mutant-ninja-turtles-set-to-premiere-saturday-sept-29/140644/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120710072500/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2012/07/06/nickelodeons-teenage-mutant-ninja-turtles-set-to-premiere-saturday-sept-29/140644/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 10, 2012 |title=Nickelodeon's 'Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles' Set to Premiere Saturday, Sept. 29 |publisher=TV By the Numbers |date=July 6, 2012 |access-date=29 August 2016}}

= October =

File:Sandy Poweroutage 1.jpg: Large portions of the Manhattan borough of New York City were without electricity]]

  • October 3 – The first U.S. presidential debate of 2012 is held at the University of Denver in Denver, Colorado.{{citation needed|date=October 2012}}
  • October 5 – The Los Angeles Police Department fails to obtain a search warrant when a federal judge in Texas blocks their attempt to obtain 1970s tapes of conversations between a Manson family member and his attorney. LA Police believe this evidence could help solve more than a dozen murders.{{cite web|url=https://www.foxnews.com/us/judge-stops-lapd-warrant-for-manson-follower-tapes|title=Judge stops LAPD warrant for Manson follower tapes – Fox News|website=Fox News|date=October 19, 2012|access-date=July 16, 2016|archive-date=November 23, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131123221357/http://www.foxnews.com/us/2012/10/19/judge-stops-lapd-warrant-for-manson-follower-tapes/|url-status=live}}
  • October 7 – SpaceX CRS-1 launches as the third flight for Space Exploration Technologies Corporation's (also known as SpaceX) uncrewed Dragon cargo spacecraft, the fourth overall flight for the company's two-stage Falcon 9 launch vehicle, and the first SpaceX operational mission under their Commercial Resupply Services contract with NASA.{{cite web|url=http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/main/spacex-crs1-target.html|title=NASA – SpaceX, NASA Target Oct. 7 Launch For Resupply Mission To Space Station|access-date=July 16, 2016|archive-date=April 6, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130406081057/http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/main/spacex-crs1-target.html|url-status=live}}
  • October 8 – President Obama establishes César E. Chávez National Monument, encompassing the former headquarters of the United Farm Workers and the gravesite of Cesar Chavez in Keene, California.{{cite web|url=https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/the-press-office/2012/10/01/president-obama-establish-c-sar-e-ch-vez-national-monument |title= President Obama to Establish César E. Chávez Nat'l Monument|date=October 1, 2012 |via=National Archives |work=whitehouse.gov |access-date=October 8, 2012}}
  • October 9
  • Frenchman Serge Haroche and American David Wineland win the 2012 Nobel Prize in Physics for their work on quantum optics.{{cite web|title=Press release – Particle control in a quantum world|url=https://www.nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/physics/laureates/2012/press.html|publisher=Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences|access-date=October 9, 2012|archive-date=October 11, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121011045925/http://www.nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/physics/laureates/2012/press.html|url-status=live}}
  • An audio recording of Jerry Sandusky is released in which he "wonders what they've won". A court sentences Sandusky to 30–60 years in prison for sexual abuse of boys while a coach at Penn State. His lawyer vows to appeal and says he did not have enough time to prepare for the trial.{{cite web|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2012/10/08/sandusky-releases-defiant-audio-claiming-innocence/1621723/|title=Sandusky sentenced on child sex abuse charges|website=USA Today|access-date=July 16, 2016|archive-date=May 2, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160502004935/http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2012/10/08/sandusky-releases-defiant-audio-claiming-innocence/1621723/|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=http://www.cnn.com/2012/10/09/justice/pennsylvania-sandusky-sentencing/index.html|title=Sandusky gets at least 30 years for child sex abuse|first1=Josh|last1=Levs|first2=Laura|last2=Dolan|date=October 9, 2012|publisher=CNN|access-date=July 16, 2016|archive-date=August 18, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160818111142/http://www.cnn.com/2012/10/09/justice/pennsylvania-sandusky-sentencing/index.html|url-status=live}}
  • October 10
  • Two American scientists, Robert Lefkowitz and Brian Kobilka, win the 2012 Nobel Prize in Chemistry for their work on discovering the inner workings of G protein-coupled receptors.{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-nobel-chemistry-idUSBRE8990EN20121010|title=Cell receptor research wins Americans chemistry Nobel|date=October 10, 2012|access-date=July 16, 2016|newspaper=Reuters|last1=Scrutton|first1=Patrick Lannin|archive-date=August 17, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160817130033/http://www.reuters.com/article/us-nobel-chemistry-idUSBRE8990EN20121010|url-status=live}}
  • Chicago Fire debuts on NBC.{{cite web |url= https://www.wect.com/story/18806700/revolution-premiere-date-scheduled/ |title= NBC schedules premiere date for "Revolution" |last= |first= |date= June 17, 2012 |website= |publisher= |access-date= June 18, 2012 |quote= |archive-date= October 14, 2013 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20131014061959/http://www.wect.com/story/18806700/revolution-premiere-date-scheduled |url-status= live }}
  • Arrow debuts on The CW.{{cite web|date=June 28, 2012|title=The CW Network Announces Fall 2012 Premiere Dates for 'Arrow,' 'Supernatural,' 'Nikita,' 'Vampire Diaries' & More|url=http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2012/06/28/the-cw-network-announces-fall-2012-premiere-dates/139823/|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120630012339/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2012/06/28/the-cw-network-announces-fall-2012-premiere-dates/139823/|archive-date=June 30, 2012|access-date=July 5, 2012|publisher=TV By the Numbers}}
  • October 11 – Martha Raddatz hosts the vice presidential debate between Joe Biden and Paul Ryan at Centre College.
  • October 12 – American attorney Ryan Poston is shot to death by his girlfriend Shayna Hubers in Highland Heights, Kentucky. Hubers falsely claimed the shooting was in self-defense and was later convicted of Poston's murder, with the perpetrator compared to Jodi Arias, convicted of the murder of Travis Alexander.{{Cite web|url = https://abcnews.go.com/US/murdered-kentucky-lawyers-shayna-hubers-sentencing-made-sick/story?id=31524068|title = Murdered Kentucky Lawyer's Ex Says Shayna Hubers' Sentencing Made Her 'Sick to My Stomach'|website = ABC News|access-date = February 9, 2020|archive-date = December 26, 2019|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20191226031717/https://abcnews.go.com/US/murdered-kentucky-lawyers-shayna-hubers-sentencing-made-sick/story?id=31524068|url-status = live}}
  • October 14 – Felix Baumgartner breaks the world human ascent by balloon record before space diving out of the Red Bull Stratos helium-filled balloon over Roswell, New Mexico.{{cite web |url=http://www.cnn.com/2012/10/14/us/skydiver-record-attempt/index.html |title='Goosebumps' as daredevil jumps from edge of space |first1=Dugald |last1=McConnell |first2=Josh |last2=Levs |first3=Brian |last3=Todd |date=October 14, 2012 |publisher=CNN |access-date=July 16, 2016 |archive-date=July 2, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160702022137/http://www.cnn.com/2012/10/14/us/skydiver-record-attempt/index.html |url-status=live }}
  • October 16
  • The second U.S. presidential debate of 2012 is held at Hofstra University in Hempstead, New York.{{citation needed|date=October 2012}}
  • The CEO of Citigroup, Vikram Pandit, announces his resignation from that post, and is immediately succeeded by Michael Corbat.{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-citigroup-pandit-idUSBRE89F0O420121016|title=Citi's CEO Pandit exits abruptly after board clash|date=October 16, 2012|access-date=July 16, 2016|newspaper=Reuters|archive-date=August 4, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160804123745/http://www.reuters.com/article/us-citigroup-pandit-idUSBRE89F0O420121016|url-status=live}}
  • The British computer hacker Gary McKinnon wins his ten-year legal battle to avoid extradition to the United States after Home Secretary Theresa May tells the House of Commons she has blocked the order.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-19968973|title=Gary McKinnon's mother 'overwhelmed' as extradition blocked|publisher=BBC News|date=October 17, 2012|access-date=July 16, 2016|archive-date=October 26, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161026013023/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-19968973|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=http://news.sky.com/story/998312/gary-mckinnon-may-blocks-extradition-to-us|title=Gary McKinnon: May Blocks Extradition To US|access-date=July 16, 2016|archive-date=March 4, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304123832/http://news.sky.com/story/998312/gary-mckinnon-may-blocks-extradition-to-us|url-status=live}}
  • October 18
  • American weekly news magazine Newsweek announces it will cease print publication on December 31 and will move to an online-only format.{{cite web|url=https://money.cnn.com/2012/10/18/news/companies/newsweek-print-edition/index.html|title=Newsweek to end publication of its print edition|first=Chris|last=Isidore|date=October 18, 2012|access-date=July 16, 2016|archive-date=August 18, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160818123313/http://money.cnn.com/2012/10/18/news/companies/newsweek-print-edition/index.html|url-status=live}}
  • The Boy Scouts of America release documents containing over 15,000 pages relating to allegations of sexual abuse by over 1200 scout leaders between 1965 and 1985.{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2012/10/19/us/boy-scout-documents-reveal-decades-of-sexual-abuse.html|title=Boy Scout Files Give Glimpse Into 20 Years of Sex Abuse|date=October 19, 2012|work=The New York Times|access-date=July 16, 2016|archive-date=December 3, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161203182549/http://www.nytimes.com/2012/10/19/us/boy-scout-documents-reveal-decades-of-sexual-abuse.html|url-status=live}}
  • October 19 – At the Dallas State Fair, Big Tex burns down because of a fire in his right boot.
  • October 22 – The third U.S. presidential debate of 2012 was held at Lynn University in Boca Raton, Florida.{{cite web|url=https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/OTUS/presidential-debate-full-transcript/story?id=17538888|title=FULL TRANSCRIPT: Final Presidential Debate|date=October 23, 2012|work=ABC News|access-date=July 16, 2016|archive-date=August 3, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160803225439/http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/OTUS/presidential-debate-full-transcript/story?id=17538888|url-status=live}}
  • October 25 – A New York Police Department officer, Gilberto Valle III, along with an unnamed co-conspirator, is charged with allegedly conspiring to cross state lines and kidnap, torture, cook, and eat women (at least 100 names and pictures, some with physical descriptions, were found on his computer).{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-crime-nypd-idUSBRE89O16A20121025|title=New York police officer charged with plan to cook, eat women|last=Katz|first=Basil|date=October 25, 2012|publisher=Reuters|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230817045049/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-crime-nypd-idUSBRE89O16A20121025|archive-date=August 17, 2023|url-status=live|access-date=August 16, 2023}}
  • October 26 – Microsoft releases Windows 8.{{cite web|title=Windows 8 Release Event|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/10/25/windows-8-release-surface-tablet_n_2017378.html|last=Leske|first=Nicola|website=Huffington Post|date=October 25, 2012|access-date=June 23, 2016|archive-date=August 22, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160822202310/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/10/25/windows-8-release-surface-tablet_n_2017378.html|url-status=live}}
  • October 28 – The San Francisco Giants sweep The Detroit Tigers in 4 games during the 2012 World Series to win their 2nd championship in the last 3 years.{{cite web|url=https://sports.yahoo.com/news/sweep-giants-finish-off-tigers-133934378--mlb.html|title=How sweep it is: Giants finish off Tigers|access-date=July 16, 2016|archive-date=August 27, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160827102344/http://sports.yahoo.com/news/sweep-giants-finish-off-tigers-133934378--mlb.html|url-status=live}}
  • October 29
  • Hurricane Sandy's storm surge slams into the Eastern seaboard and causes destruction especially in the states of New Jersey and New York. In addition to record flooding damage along the Jersey Shore in Atlantic City and Seaside Heights, the superstorm causes almost 50 deaths in the states and leaves more than 8 million customers (all of Lower Manhattan, 65% of New Jersey, and many more) without electricity. In New York City alone, 18 deaths are reported, subways and tunnels are flooded for days, 80 homes are destroyed by an electrical fire in Breezy Point, Queens, and waters reach record highs in Battery Park. With the storm being late in the hurricane season, there are also blizzards in West Virginia.{{cite web|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/id/49605748|title=Sandy's mammoth wake: 46 dead, millions without power, transit|website=NBC News|date=October 31, 2012|access-date=July 16, 2016|archive-date=July 30, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140730045906/http://www.nbcnews.com/id/49605748|url-status=dead}} The New York Stock Exchange closes for trading for two days, the first weather closure of the exchange since 1985.{{cite news |url=https://www.latimes.com/business/money/la-fi-mo-stock-market-closed-on-tuesday-20121029,0,6584599.story |title=Stock market to remain closed Tuesday - latimes.com |last=Andrew |first=Tangel |date=October 29, 2012 |work=Los Angeles Times |access-date=October 29, 2012 |archive-date=October 29, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121029210126/http://www.latimes.com/business/money/la-fi-mo-stock-market-closed-on-tuesday-20121029,0,6584599.story |url-status=live }} It is also the first two-day weather closure since the Great Blizzard of 1888.{{cite news|url=http://marketday.nbcnews.com/_news/2012/10/29/14778477-hurricane-sandy-to-keep-stock-markets-shuttered-tuesday |title=Hurricane Sandy to keep stock markets shuttered Tuesday – Market Day |date=October 29, 2012 |access-date=October 29, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121030044444/http://marketday.nbcnews.com/_news/2012/10/29/14778477-hurricane-sandy-to-keep-stock-markets-shuttered-tuesday |archive-date=October 30, 2012 }}
  • Penguin and Random House agree to merge to form Penguin Random House, the world's largest publisher.{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/business/2012/oct/29/penguin-random-house-merger-bertelsmann|title=Penguin and Random House to merge|first=Josephine|last=Moulds|website=TheGuardian.com|date=October 29, 2012|access-date=July 16, 2016|archive-date=March 10, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160310150507/http://www.theguardian.com/business/2012/oct/29/penguin-random-house-merger-bertelsmann|url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-20126364|title=Penguin and Random House confident merger will be approved|publisher=BBC News|date=October 29, 2012|access-date=July 16, 2016|archive-date=April 14, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160414221259/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-20126364|url-status=live}}
  • October 30 – The Walt Disney Company purchases Lucasfilm Ltd. from George Lucas for US$4.05 billion. Included in the deal are the rights to the Star Wars and Indiana Jones franchises.[http://bigstory.ap.org/article/disney-buying-lucasfilm-405-billion Associated Press] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121031235719/http://bigstory.ap.org/article/disney-buying-lucasfilm-405-billion |date=October 31, 2012 }}

= November =

File:ElectoralCollege2012.svg reelected President]]

  • November 2 – Walt Disney Animation Studios' 52nd feature film, Wreck-It Ralph, is released in theaters and is a critical and commercial success.
  • November 6 – 2012 elections
  • Barack Obama is reelected President of the United States, defeating Republican nominee Mitt Romney.{{cite news |url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/11/06/obama-elected-2012_n_2084515.html |title=Obama Elected 2012: President Clinches Electoral Vote Win |publisher=Huffingtonpost.com |date=November 6, 2012 |access-date=May 23, 2013 |first=Elyse |last=Siegel |archive-date=April 26, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130426111337/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/11/06/obama-elected-2012_n_2084515.html |url-status=live }}
  • Democrats maintain a majority in the Senate.{{cite news |url=http://www.cnn.com/2012/11/06/politics/senate-preview/index.html |title=Democrats keep control of Senate |publisher=CNN.com |date=November 7, 2012 |access-date=May 23, 2013 |archive-date=May 13, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130513094920/http://www.cnn.com/2012/11/06/politics/senate-preview/index.html |url-status=live }}
  • Republicans maintain a majority in the House.{{cite news |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/onpolitics/2012/11/06/congress-election-republicans-house-boehner/1684865/ |title=Boehner, Republicans keep House majority |publisher=Usatoday.com |date=November 6, 2012 |access-date=May 23, 2013 |first1=Catalina |last1=Camia |archive-date=May 30, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130530093227/http://www.usatoday.com/story/onpolitics/2012/11/06/congress-election-republicans-house-boehner/1684865/ |url-status=live }}
  • Maine becomes the first state to legalize gay marriage via voter referendum. Maryland and Washington do the same. Minnesota also rejects a constitutional amendment which would have banned same-sex marriage.{{Cite web|url=https://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5h5x18bf8Ysv4kNG7YDOvlCBROHYA?docId=4bf93adb278c450391c481978e11df20|title=Gay marriage law goes into effect in Maine|access-date=November 10, 2016|archive-date=January 10, 2013|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130110233918/http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5h5x18bf8Ysv4kNG7YDOvlCBROHYA?docId=4bf93adb278c450391c481978e11df20|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|url=http://www.equalitymaryland.org/2012/11/8/we-won-marriage-now-wh |title=We Won Marriage – Now What? Answers to Your Questions |publisher=Equality Maryland |date=November 8, 2012 |access-date=December 4, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130214072307/http://www.equalitymaryland.org/2012/11/8/we-won-marriage-now-wh |archive-date=February 14, 2013 }}{{cite press release|title=Gov. Gregoire and Secretary Reed certify Referendum 74 |work=Governor of Washington |date=December 5, 2012 |url=http://www.governor.wa.gov/news/news-view.asp?pressRelease=2011&newsType=1 |access-date=December 10, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130108054334/http://www.governor.wa.gov/news/news-view.asp?pressRelease=2011&newsType=1 |archive-date=January 8, 2013 }}
  • Washington becomes the first state to legalize marijuana. Colorado does the same.{{Cite news |last=Bly |first=Laura |date=November 7, 2012 |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/dispatches/2012/11/07/colorado-washington-legalize-recreational-marijuana-tourism/1689269/ |title=Colorado, Washington OK Recreational Marijuana Use |newspaper=USA Today |access-date=November 7, 2012 |archive-date=November 8, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121108004909/http://www.usatoday.com/story/dispatches/2012/11/07/colorado-washington-legalize-recreational-marijuana-tourism/1689269// |url-status=live }}
  • Puerto Rico votes to become a state. Congressional approval is still needed.{{cite news |url=http://www.cnn.com/2012/11/07/politics/election-puerto-rico/index.html |title=Puerto Ricans favor statehood for first time |publisher=CNN.com |date=November 8, 2012 |access-date=May 23, 2013 |archive-date=October 6, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006192057/http://www.cnn.com/2012/11/07/politics/election-puerto-rico/index.html |url-status=live }}
  • November 8 – Jared Lee Loughner, the perpetrator in the 2011 Tucson shooting, is given 7 consecutive life sentences.{{cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/news/nation/nationnow/la-na-nn-jared-loughner-life-in-prison-20121108,0,878153.story|title=Jared Loughner sentenced to life in Tucson mass shooting|first=Michael|last=Muskal|date=November 8, 2012|access-date=July 16, 2016|via=LA Times|archive-date=March 4, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130304235851/http://www.latimes.com/news/nation/nationnow/la-na-nn-jared-loughner-life-in-prison-20121108,0,878153.story|url-status=live}}
  • November 15 – Deepwater Horizon oil spill:
  • BP announces it will plead guilty to charges of manslaughter and obstruction of Congress, and will pay a total of US$4.5 billion to the US Department of Justice and Securities and Exchange Commission.{{cite news|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424127887324556304578120140555122104|title=BP Slapped With Record Fine|first=Tom|last=Fowler|newspaper=Wall Street Journal|date=November 16, 2012|access-date=July 16, 2016|archive-date=August 18, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160818175330/http://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424127887324556304578120140555122104|url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2012-11-15/bp-resolution-with-doj-includes-4-billion-paid-in-installments|title=BP Resolution With DOJ Includes $4 Billion Paid in Installments|first=Will|last=Kennedy|newspaper=Bloomberg.com|date=November 15, 2012|access-date=July 16, 2016|archive-date=August 6, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160806193501/http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2012-11-15/bp-resolution-with-doj-includes-4-billion-paid-in-installments|url-status=live}}
  • Separately, the two highest-ranking BP supervisors on board the Deepwater Horizon on the day of the explosion have been indicted on 23 criminal counts.{{cite web|url=https://money.cnn.com/2012/11/15/news/bp-oil-spill-settlement/index.html|title=BP to pay record fine for Gulf oil spill|first=Chris Isidore, Charles Riley and Terry|last=Frieden|date=November 15, 2012|access-date=July 16, 2016|archive-date=April 18, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160418195330/http://money.cnn.com/2012/11/15/news/bp-oil-spill-settlement/index.html|url-status=live}}
  • November 16 – Hostess Brands, which includes such brands as cakes Twinkies, announces it will file for bankruptcy and liquidate its assets, stating that a bakery union's worker strike stemming from contract disputes "crippled" its operations. 18,500 workers are expected to be laid off.{{cite news|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2012-11-16/twinkie-maker-hostess-to-shut-down-after-strike|title=Hostess Seen Attracting Bids for Assets From Flowers|first1=Dawn|last1=McCarty|first2=Phil|last2=Milford|first3=Duane D.|last3=Stanford|newspaper=Bloomberg.com|date=November 17, 2012|access-date=July 16, 2016|archive-date=March 8, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160308203336/http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2012-11-16/twinkie-maker-hostess-to-shut-down-after-strike|url-status=live}}
  • November 20 – Puerto Rican professional boxer Héctor Camacho is shot multiple times in Bayamon, Puerto Rico. The driver of Camacho's car is killed in the attack. Shot in the neck and face, Camacho is taken to St. Paul's Hospital in Río Piedras, where he is pronounced "brain dead".{{cite web|url=http://www.elnuevoherald.com/ultimas-noticias/article2019111.html|title=Macho Camacho en condición crítica tras tiroteo en Puerto Rico|access-date=July 16, 2016|archive-date=October 4, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161004000725/http://www.elnuevoherald.com/ultimas-noticias/article2019111.html|url-status=live}}
  • November 30 – A New Hampshire federal grand jury indicts David Kwiatkowski, 33, a former employee of Exeter Hospital in Exeter, New Hampshire, on fraud and product-tampering charges in connection with an outbreak of hepatitis C that sickened more than 30 people and caused concern in 7 states.{{cite web|url=http://www.cnn.com/2012/11/29/health/hepatitis-infections-indictment/index.html|title=Ex-hospital worker indicted in hepatitis C infections|date=November 30, 2012|publisher=CNN|access-date=July 16, 2016|archive-date=August 18, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160818152207/http://www.cnn.com/2012/11/29/health/hepatitis-infections-indictment/index.html|url-status=live}}{{Cite web |url=https://www.fbi.gov/news/stories/2013/december/serial-infector-gets-39-years-for-hepatitis-c-outbreak/ |title=FBI — 'Serial Infector' Gets 39 Years for Hepatitis C Outbreak |access-date=July 28, 2016 |archive-date=April 17, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160417110103/https://www.fbi.gov/news/stories/2013/december/serial-infector-gets-39-years-for-hepatitis-c-outbreak |url-status=dead }}

= December =

File:Newtown CT lg.PNG, location of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting]]

  • December 5 – American businessman John McAfee is arrested in Guatemala following an alleged illegal entry after leaving Belize where he is wanted for questioning over the death of fellow American Gregory Faull.{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-belize-mcafee-arrest-idUSBRE8B504H20121206|title=Guatemala detains McAfee, to expel him to Belize|date=December 6, 2012|access-date=July 16, 2016|newspaper=Reuters|last1=Kriel|first1=Sofia Menchu|archive-date=July 10, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160710081720/http://www.reuters.com/article/us-belize-mcafee-arrest-idUSBRE8B504H20121206|url-status=live}}
  • December 6 – Washington Initiative 502 comes into effect, making Washington the 1st state to legalize recreational cannabis.[https://web.archive.org/web/20210212182323/https://www.reuters.com/article/uk-usa-marijuana-washington/marijuana-goes-legal-in-washington-state-idUSLNE8B502120121206 Marijuana goes legal in Washington state]
  • December 8
  • American football player Josh Brent of the Dallas Cowboys is arrested for driving while intoxicated and vehicular manslaughter in relation to the death of teammate Jerry Brown.{{cite web|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/cowboys/2012/12/08/josh-brent-arrest/1755831/|title=Cowboys' Josh Brent arrested after crash kills teammate Jerry Brown|website=USA Today|access-date=July 16, 2016|archive-date=November 10, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151110114625/http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/cowboys/2012/12/08/josh-brent-arrest/1755831/|url-status=live}}
  • Texas A&M University quarterback Johnny Manziel becomes the first freshman ever to win the Heisman Trophy as the most outstanding player in U.S. college football.{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/8727326/johnny-manziel-texas-aggies-wins-2012-heisman-trophy|title=Aggies' Manziel first freshman to win Heisman|date=December 9, 2012|access-date=July 16, 2016|archive-date=March 7, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160307021841/http://espn.go.com/college-football/story/_/id/8727326/johnny-manziel-texas-aggies-wins-2012-heisman-trophy|url-status=live}}
  • December 9 – The wreckage of a plane carrying American singer Jenni Rivera with two pilots and four other passengers is found in northern Mexico with no apparent survivors.{{cite web|url=http://www.cnn.com/2012/12/09/world/americas/mexico-singer-plane/index.html|title=Plane of missing singer likely found in Mexico|date=December 9, 2012|publisher=CNN|access-date=July 16, 2016|archive-date=March 6, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160306072412/http://www.cnn.com/2012/12/09/world/americas/mexico-singer-plane/index.html|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/L/LT_MEXICO_SINGERS_PLANE_MISSING|title=News from The Associated Press|access-date=July 16, 2016|archive-date=December 15, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181215122737/http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/L/LT_MEXICO_SINGERS_PLANE_MISSING|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/music-arts/jenni-rivera-mexican-american-singer-missing-plane-crashes-northern-mexico-article-1.1216494|title=Jenni Rivera, Mexican-American singer, killed in plane crash in northern Mexico|website=New York Daily News|date=December 10, 2012|access-date=July 16, 2016|archive-date=December 11, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121211194029/http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/music-arts/jenni-rivera-mexican-american-singer-missing-plane-crashes-northern-mexico-article-1.1216494|url-status=live}}
  • December 10
  • Colorado Amendment 64 comes into effect, making Colorado the 2nd state to legalize recreational cannabis.[https://web.archive.org/web/20201130020423/https://kdvr.com/news/governor-signs-amendment-64-marijuana-officially-legal-in-colorado/ Governor signs Amendment 64, marijuana officially legal in Colorado]
  • The trial of Jodi Arias begins in Arizona. She is accused of the 2008 murder of her ex-boyfriend Travis Alexander and the case receives widespread media attention.{{Cite web|url = https://www.cbsnews.com/news/jodi-arias-a-timeline-of-a-sensational-murder-case/|title = Jodi Arias: A timeline of a sensational murder case|website = CBS News|date = May 21, 2013|access-date = December 20, 2020|archive-date = October 1, 2021|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20211001230131/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/jodi-arias-a-timeline-of-a-sensational-murder-case/|url-status = live}}
  • December 11
  • The United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit strikes down Illinois's ban on concealed weapons. Illinois is the last state in the United States not to enact a concealed carry law.{{cite news |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/chi-us-appeals-court-strikes-down-states-concealedcarry-ban-20121211,0,7034171.story |title=Concealed carry: Court strikes down Illinois' ban |publisher=chicagotribune.com |date=December 11, 2012 |access-date=May 23, 2013 |first1=Ray |last1=Long |first2=Annie |last2=Sweeney |first3=Monique |last3=Garcia |archive-date=May 7, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130507040412/http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/chi-us-appeals-court-strikes-down-states-concealedcarry-ban-20121211,0,7034171.story |url-status=live }}
  • Syrian civil war: President Barack Obama recognizes Syria's rebel opposition as the "legitimate representatives" of the Syrian people.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-20690148|title=US recognises Syria opposition coalition says Obama|publisher=BBC News|date=December 12, 2012|access-date=July 16, 2016|archive-date=October 17, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141017113820/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-20690148|url-status=live}}
  • British-based bank HSBC will pay U.S. authorities $1.9 billion in a settlement over money laundering for drug cartels and countries under sanctions, the largest ever such penalty.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-20673466|title=HSBC to pay $1.9bn in US money laundering penalties|publisher=BBC News|date=December 11, 2012|access-date=July 16, 2016|archive-date=July 15, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160715233534/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-20673466|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/financial-crime/9736167/HSBC-pays-1.92bn-to-settle-US-money-laundering-claims.html|title=HSBC pays $1.92bn to settle US money laundering claims|date=December 11, 2012 |access-date=July 16, 2016|archive-date=July 15, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160715202016/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/financial-crime/9736167/HSBC-pays-1.92bn-to-settle-US-money-laundering-claims.html|url-status=live}}
  • Michigan's state government passes right-to-work legislation, making Michigan the 23rd state and the most highly unionized state in the US to have such laws.{{cite web|url=https://money.cnn.com/2012/12/11/news/economy/michigan-right-to-work-vote/index.html|title=Michigan bills weakening union power signed into law|first=Tami|last=Luhby|date=December 11, 2012|access-date=July 16, 2016|archive-date=August 1, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160801205519/http://money.cnn.com/2012/12/11/news/economy/michigan-right-to-work-vote/index.html|url-status=live}}{{cite news |url=http://www.cnn.com/2012/12/06/us/michigan-labor-protests/index.html |title=Michigan Senate passes 'right-to-work' measures |publisher=CNN.com |date=December 7, 2012 |access-date=May 23, 2013 |archive-date=April 7, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130407063345/http://www.cnn.com/2012/12/06/us/michigan-labor-protests/index.html |url-status=live }}
  • December 14 – Twenty-six people, including 20 children (ages 6 and 7), are killed in the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting in Newtown, Connecticut.{{cite news|url=https://abc7.com/archive/8920657/|title=Deadliest mass shootings around the world|agency=ABC News|newspaper=KABC-TV|date=December 14, 2012|access-date=December 14, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121218105516/http://abclocal.go.com/kabc/story?section=news%2Fnational_world&id=8920657|archive-date=December 18, 2012|url-status=live}} Prior to the school shooting, Adam Lanza, age 20, shot and killed his mother, Nancy Lanza, age 52, at the home they shared in Newtown, as the 27th victim. The suspect killed himself during the incident. It is the second-deadliest school shooting in U.S. history, after the 2007 Virginia Tech massacre.
  • December 15–30 – United States Secretary of State Hillary Clinton sustained a concussion after fainting from dehydration at her home.{{cite web|url=http://www.cnn.com/2012/12/15/us/us-hillary-clinton-concussion/index.html|title=Hillary Clinton faints, has concussion|first=Elise|last=Labott|date=December 15, 2012|publisher=CNN|access-date=July 16, 2016|archive-date=June 23, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160623224816/http://www.cnn.com/2012/12/15/us/us-hillary-clinton-concussion/index.html|url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/hillary-clinton-gets-concussion-after-fainting/2012/12/15/bf33f62c-46f1-11e2-9648-a2c323a991d6_story.html|title=Hillary Clinton gets concussion after fainting|newspaper=The Washington Post|access-date=July 16, 2016|archive-date=August 22, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160822073919/https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/hillary-clinton-gets-concussion-after-fainting/2012/12/15/bf33f62c-46f1-11e2-9648-a2c323a991d6_story.html|url-status=live}} Subsequently, she is hospitalized after doctors discover a blood clot related to the concussion that she had had earlier in the month.{{cite web|url=http://www.cnn.com/2012/12/30/politics/hillary-clinton-hospitalized/index.html|title=Hillary Clinton hospitalized after doctors discover blood clot|first=Elise|last=Labott|date=December 31, 2012|publisher=CNN|access-date=July 16, 2016|archive-date=August 18, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160818025806/http://www.cnn.com/2012/12/30/politics/hillary-clinton-hospitalized/index.html|url-status=live}}
  • December 19 – Miss USA Olivia Culpo of Rhode Island wins Miss Universe.{{citation needed|date=April 2020}}
  • December 20 – The New York Stock Exchange, the largest stock exchange in the United States and the world, is sold to Atlanta-based IntercontinentalExchange.{{cite web|url=http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/3d281c11a96b4ad082fe88aa0db04305/Article_2012-12-20-NYSE%20Euronext-IntercontinentalExchange/id-00faa4a8ef614a558689eb9b4454473a|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160203010238/http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/3d281c11a96b4ad082fe88aa0db04305/Article_2012-12-20-NYSE%20Euronext-IntercontinentalExchange/id-00faa4a8ef614a558689eb9b4454473a|url-status=dead|archive-date=February 3, 2016|title=Associated Press|agency=Associated Press|access-date=July 16, 2016}}
  • December 27 – Toyota Motor Corporation, moving to put years of legal problems behind it, has agreed to pay more than $1 billion to settle dozens of lawsuits relating to sudden acceleration.[https://web.archive.org/web/20181215130110/https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/settlement-worth-more-than-1-billion-reached-in-case-involving-toyotas-sudden-acceleration/2012/12/26/ecbf08d8-4fbc-11e2-835b-02f92c0daa43_story.html AP via The Washington Post]{{cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/business/autos/la-fi-autos-toyota-settlement-20121227,0,7195349.story|title=Toyota to pay big to settle suits|first1=Ken|last1=Bensinger|first2=Ralph|last2=Vartabedian|date=December 26, 2012|access-date=July 16, 2016|via=LA Times|archive-date=January 2, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130102155854/http://www.latimes.com/business/autos/la-fi-autos-toyota-settlement-20121227,0,7195349.story|url-status=live}}
  • December 30 – A tour bus crashes off Interstate 84 in northeastern Oregon, leaving 9 of its passengers dead and 26 injured.{{cite web|url=https://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/killed-oregon-tour-bus-crash-84-18096026|title=U.S. News – National News|work=ABC News|access-date=July 16, 2016|archive-date=January 1, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130101201515/http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/killed-oregon-tour-bus-crash-84-18096026|url-status=live}}

{{clear}}

= Ongoing =

Births

{{Expand section|date=March 2013}}

Deaths

{{More citations needed section|date=October 2022}}

= January =

File:Etta James.jpg]]

File:Joe Paterno - Penn State - Outback Bowl pep rally 123110 cropped.jpg]]

= February =

File:Whitney Houston Welcome Home Heroes 1 cropped.jpg]]

File:Davy Jones (Geneva, IL, 2006).jpg]]

  • February 1
  • Angelo Dundee, boxing trainer (b. 1921)
  • Don Cornelius, television host (b. 1936)
  • February 3
  • Ben Gazzara, actor (b. 1930)
  • Zalman King, actor, director, and producer (b. 1942)
  • February 6 – Peter Breck, actor (b. 1929)
  • February 7 – Patricia Stephens Due, activist (b. 1939)
  • February 11 – Whitney Houston, singer and wife of Bobby Brown (b. 1963){{cite web |last1=Sullivan |first1=Caroline |title=Whitney Houston obituary |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2012/feb/12/whitney-houston-obituary |website=The Guardian |access-date=April 2, 2020 |date=February 12, 2012 |archive-date=October 4, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201004190845/https://www.theguardian.com/music/2012/feb/12/whitney-houston-obituary/ |url-status=live }}
  • February 12 – Howard Zimmerman, chemist (b. 1926)
  • February 15
  • John J. Yeosock, general (b. 1937)
  • Charles Anthony, tenor (b. 1929)
  • February 16
  • Gary Carter, American baseball player (b. 1954)
  • Anthony Shadid, journalist, died in Syria (b. 1968)
  • February 19 – Renato Dulbecco, Italian-born American Nobel virologist (b. 1914)
  • February 23 – Bruce Surtees, cinematographer (b. 1937)
  • February 25 – Dick Davies, American basketball player (b. 1936)
  • February 26
  • Don Joyce, American football player (b. 1929)
  • Trayvon Martin, African-American teenager killed in shooting (b. 1995)
  • Zollie Volchok, American basketball administrator (b. 1916)
  • February 28 – Jim Green, American-Canadian educator and politician (b. 1943){{cite news|title=Former Vancouver councillor Jim Green dies of cancer|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/former-vancouver-councillor-jim-green-dies-of-cancer-1.1260211|publisher=CBC News|date=February 28, 2012|access-date=March 9, 2012|archive-date=March 1, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120301193359/http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/story/2012/02/28/bc-jim-green-dies.html|url-status=live}}
  • February 29
  • Davy Jones, British singer and actor, died in Indiantown, Florida (b. 1945)
  • Sheldon Moldoff, comic book artist (b. 1920)

= March =

File:Andrew Breitbart by Gage Skidmore 2.jpg]]

File:Robert Sherman 2002.jpg]]

File:Earl Scruggs 2005.JPG]]

= April =

File:Mike Wallace Interviews 1957 (4).jpg]]

File:Dick Clark American Bandstand 1961.JPG]]

= May =

File:Nobel Peace Price Concert 2009 Donna Summer3.jpg]]

File:Doc Watson Sugar Grove.jpg]]

= June =

File:Richard Dawson Hogan Hero headshot 1968.png]]

File:Ray Bradbury (1975) -cropped-.jpg]]

= July =

File:Griffith, Andy (Whitehouse).jpg]]

File:Ernest Borgnine McHale McHale's Navy 1962.JPG]]

  • July 1 – Alan G. Poindexter, American astronaut (b. 1961)
  • July 2 – Ben Davidson, American football player (b. 1940)
  • July 3
  • Andy Griffith, American actor (b. 1926)
  • Hollie Stevens, American pornographic actress and model (b. 1982)
  • July 4
  • Jimmy Bivins, boxer (b. 1919)
  • Scamper, racehorse (b. 1977)
  • July 5 – Louis B. Kahn, American computer scientist and statistician (b. 1918){{cite web |title=Louis Kahn Obituary |url=https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/eastbaytimes/name/louis-kahn-obituary?id=8898767 |website=Legacy.com |publisher=Berkeley CA, East Bay Times |access-date=7 June 2023}}
  • July 8 – Ernest Borgnine, American actor (b. 1917)
  • July 11
  • Art Ceccarelli, baseball player and coach (born 1930)
  • Marion Cunningham, author (born 1922){{Cite news|url=http://www.sfgate.com/food/article/American-cooking-legend-Marion-Cunningham-dies-at-3699716.php|work=San Francisco Chronicle|title=American cooking legend Marion Cunningham dies at 90|first=Stacy|last=Finz|date=July 11, 2012|access-date=April 24, 2022|archive-date=August 9, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120809034837/http://www.sfgate.com/food/article/American-cooking-legend-Marion-Cunningham-dies-at-3699716.php|url-status=live}}
  • Richard Scudder, journalist and publisher who co-founded MediaNews Group (born 1913)
  • Donald J. Sobol, soldier and author (born 1924)
  • Marvin Traub, businessman and author (born 1925)
  • July 13
  • Sage Stallone, actor, son of Sylvester Stallone (b. 1976)
  • Ginny Tyler, voice actress (b. 1925)
  • Richard D. Zanuck, film producer (Driving Miss Daisy) (b. 1934)
  • July 15 – Celeste Holm, actress (b. 1917)
  • July 16
  • William Asher, American television and film producer, director, screenwriter (b. 1921)
  • Stephen Covey, American author (b. 1932)
  • Kitty Wells, American country music singer (b. 1919)
  • July 19 – Tom Davis, comedian and writer (b. 1952)
  • July 22
  • Jim Carlen, American football player and coach (b. 1933)
  • Ed Stevens, baseball player and coach (b. 1925)
  • July 23 – Sally Ride, first American woman in space (born 1951)
  • July 24
  • Chad Everett, American actor (b. 1937)
  • Sherman Hemsley, American actor (b. 1938)
  • July 26 – Lupe Ontiveros, American actress (b. 1942)
  • July 27
  • Norman Alden, actor (b. 1924)
  • R. G. Armstrong, actor and playwright (b. 1917)
  • Tony Martin, singer and husband of Cyd Charisse (b. 1913)
  • July 31 – Gore Vidal, writer (b. 1925)

= August =

File:Neil Armstrong pose.jpg]]

= September =

File:MichaelClarkeDuncanJan09.jpg]]

= October =

File:GeorgeStanleyMcGovern.jpg]]

  • October 8 – Ken Sansom, actor (b. 1927)
  • October 9 – Sammi Kane Kraft, American child actress (b. 1992)
  • October 10 – Alex Karras, American football player, professional wrestler and actor (b. 1935)
  • October 13 – Gary Collins, actor and television host (b. 1938)
  • October 14 – Arlen Specter, American politician (b. 1930)
  • October 20 – E. Donnall Thomas, American Nobel physician (b. 1920){{cite web |title=The Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine 1990 |url=https://www.nobelprize.org/prizes/medicine/1990/thomas/facts/ |website=NobelPrize.org |access-date=15 August 2022 |archive-date=August 15, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220815233500/https://www.nobelprize.org/prizes/medicine/1990/thomas/facts/ |url-status=live }}
  • October 21 – George McGovern, American politician, historian, and author (b. 1922)
  • October 22 – Russell Means, American Sioux actor and activist (b. 1939)
  • October 24 – Margaret Osborne duPont, American tennis player (b. 1918)
  • October 25 – Emmanuel Steward, professional boxer, trainer, and commentator (b. 1944)
  • October 26 – Natina Reed, American musician and actress (b. 1980)
  • October 28
  • Merry Anders, actress (b. 1934)
  • Bob Brunner, screenwriter and producer (b. 1934)
  • October 31
  • John Fitch, racecar driver and inventor (b. 1917)
  • John H. Reed, 67th Governor of Maine from 1959 until 1967. (b. 1921)

= November =

File:Larry_Hagman_2010.jpg]]

  • November 1 – Mitch Lucker, musician, singer, and songwriter (b. 1984)
  • November 2 – Milt Campbell, track and field athlete (b. 1933)
  • November 5 – Elliott Carter, composer (b. 1908)
  • November 7
  • Carmen Basilio, boxer (b. 1927)
  • Cleve Duncan, singer (b. 1935){{cite web|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/music-arts/cleve-duncan-lead-singer-penguins-dead-77-article-1.1199660|title=Cleve Duncan, lead singer of the Penguins, dead at 77|website=New York Daily News|date=November 9, 2012|access-date=July 16, 2016|archive-date=August 17, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160817141601/http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/music-arts/cleve-duncan-lead-singer-penguins-dead-77-article-1.1199660|url-status=live}}
  • Darrell Royal, American college football player and coach (b. 1924)
  • November 8 – Lee MacPhail, American baseball executive (b. 1917)
  • November 9
  • Major Harris, singer (b. 1947)
  • James L. Stone, soldier (b. 1922)
  • November 13
  • Will Barnet, painter and illustrator (b. 1911)
  • Ray Zone, historian, author and illustrator (b. 1947)
  • November 14 – Gail Harris, American baseball player (b. 1931)
  • November 21
  • Austin Peralta, American jazz musician and composer (b. 1990)
  • Deborah Raffin, actress, model, and publisher (b. 1953)
  • November 23 – Larry Hagman, actor (b. 1931)
  • November 24 – Héctor Camacho, Puerto Rican boxer (b. 1962)
  • November 25
  • Jim Temp, American football player and businessman (b. 1933)
  • Earl Carroll, singer (b. 1937)
  • November 26
  • Joseph Murray, American Nobel surgeon (b. 1919)
  • Martin Richards, film producer (b. 1932)
  • November 27 – Marvin Miller, American baseball players' union executive (b. 1917)
  • November 28 – Zig Ziglar, author, salesman, and motivational speaker (b. 1926)

= December =

File:Daniel Inouye Official Photo 2009.jpg]]

File:CharlesDurningMay2008.jpg]]

File:JackKlugmanNov09.jpg]]

See also

References

{{reflist|30em}}

External links

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{{Year in North America|2012}}

Category:2010s in the United States

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