Today is November 12th: Discover the significance of this date and the celebrations that mark it throughout history.
On November 12, 1717, Johann Bessler showcased his "perpetual motion machine." In 1902, Enrico Caruso recorded a record that became the first in the world to sell over 1 million copies. In 1912, searchers found the last camp of the polar explorers from Robert Scott's ill-fated expedition. In 1918, Austria was declared a republic. The First World Congress of Free Ukrainians took place in 1967. In 1992, the ruble was completely removed from circulation in Ukraine.
Holidays and Commemorative Dates on November 12
November 12 is celebrated worldwide as International Ergonomics Day and World Pneumonia Day.
Additionally, today is Security Specialist Day.
November 12 in History
On November 12, 1717, inventor and alchemist (most likely a successful hoaxer) Johann Bessler demonstrated a "perpetual motion machine" of his own design to Landgrave Karl of Hesse-Kassel.
The design of this machine remains unknown to this day. During his lifetime, the inventor allegedly only showed it to the landgrave. He intended to sell the plans for an exorbitant sum at the time – 100,000 thalers (equivalent to about 2.5 million USD today). Bessler reportedly created several hundred "perpetual motion machines" during his life. These were hollow wheels of various diameters made from wooden slats and covered with waxed cloth (to conceal the internal mechanism). The wheel was said to rotate endlessly on its own. This was confirmed by the inventor during the demonstration on November 12, 1717. On that day, the mechanism was set in motion before the landgrave's eyes and was then locked in one of the rooms of his estate (with the windows closed). After 14 days, the room was opened, and it was found that the wheel was still spinning. The door was sealed again until January 4, 1718 – during the next inspection, it was discovered that the wheel continued to move. This made Bessler a European celebrity.
However, over time, contemporaries concluded that Bessler was a fraud. He refused to demonstrate the mechanism to respected scientists, hid the blueprints, and would destroy his wheels at the first suspicion of an investigation. The theory of a grand deception was supported by Bessler's maid, Anna. She testified under oath that she personally moved the mechanisms by hand from an adjacent room, and that Bessler, his brother, and wife worked on the "perpetual motion machine." Later, the maid's testimony was deemed unreliable, but the inventor's reputation suffered irreparable damage. Modern scientists agree that Bessler was indeed a fraud, as the existence of a "perpetual motion machine" is impossible according to the laws of thermodynamics. As for the design that allowed the wheel to move for a considerable time (though not indefinitely), the most common theory suggests it contained numerous weights that prevented the wheel from quickly reaching equilibrium.
On November 12, 1902, opera singer Enrico Caruso recorded a record that was the first in the world to "sell" over 1 million copies. This was the recording of "Vesti la giubba." Learn more.
On November 12, 1912, a search team that set out to ascertain the fate of Robert Scott's expedition discovered the last camp of the Antarctic explorers and their frozen bodies. Learn more.
On November 12, 1918, Austria was proclaimed a republic. Learn more.
On November 12, 1967, the First World Congress of Free Ukrainians took place in New York. Learn more.
On November 12, 1992, the Soviet ruble ceased to function in Ukraine's monetary circulation. Learn more.
Church Holiday on November 12
On November 12, the memory of Saint John the Merciful, Patriarch of Alexandria, is honored. He was born in Cyprus in the 7th century to a noble family, Epiphanius. He was married and had children, all of whom passed away. After this, John became a monk: a strict faster and prayerful individual. When the Patriarch of Alexandria died, Emperor Heraclius and the clergy persuaded Saint John to take the patriarchal throne. His main deeds that entered history were helping those in need and distributing alms. John fed more than 7,000 needy residents of Alexandria daily for free. When the Persians looted and burned Jerusalem, Patriarch John allocated a large portion of the church treasury to ransom captives from the invaders. Shortly before his death, Saint John was forced to leave his see due to illness. He arrived in Cyprus, in his hometown of Amathus, where he died, according to various sources, between 616 and 620.
Folk Signs
If a titmouse flies to the window and lands on the windowsill, snow will soon fall.
If titmice chirp in the morning, a frost will hit.
What Not to Do on November 12
Do not think about bad things.
Do not argue.