What Happened On This Day ? March 12
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1967
Suharto rises to power in Indonesia
His presidency, which lasted 31 years, was overshadowed by crass human rights violations and the occupation of East Timor.
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1947
The Truman doctrine is proclaimed
In his speech before Congress, U.S. President Harry S. Truman defined his foreign relations priorities, which included military and economic support to Turkey and Greece to prevent the spread of communism there.
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1938
Hitler invades Austria
The occupation of Hitler's homeland is known as Anschluss, which is the German word for annexation.
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1930
Mahatma Gandhi embarks on his Salt March
The 240-mile march was an act of civil disobedience to protest the British monopoly on salt. It was one of the most significant events during the Indian independence movement.
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1918
Moscow becomes Russia's capital city
St. Petersburg lost its status as the Russian capital following the Revolution of 1917, which dismantled the Tsarist autocracy.
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1979
Pete Doherty
English singer-songwriter, guitarist
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1947
Mitt Romney
American businessman, politician, 70th Governor of Massachusetts
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1946
Liza Minnelli
American actress, singer, dancer
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1922
Jack Kerouac
American author, poet
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1864
W. H. R. Rivers
English anthropologist, neurologist, ethnologist, psychiatrist
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2015
Terry Pratchett
English author
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1999
Yehudi Menuhin
American/Swiss violinist, conductor
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1955
Charlie Parker
American saxophonist, composer
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1925
Sun Yat-sen
Chinese revolutionary, politician, 1st President of the Republic of China
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1914
George Westinghouse
American engineer, inventor