On this day

12 January in history.

5 moments from 1616 to 2007: discovery, creativity and courage, each with a source to read more.

5 moments

2007

The brightest comet in decades. Comet McNaught swung closest to the Sun and blazed brighter than any comet in more than 40 years, visible even in daylight.

Wikipedia: Comet McNaught

More from 12 January

  1. Parc de la République, Belém, Pará, Brésil

    1616

    Belém is founded

    The city of Belém was founded where the Amazon River meets the sea, in what is now Brazil.

    Wikipedia: BelémWikipedia: Amazon River

    Photo: Burn86 / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0)

  2. 1895

    The National Trust is founded

    A new charity was set up in Britain to protect special places, coastline and buildings for everyone to enjoy. It became the National Trust.

    Wikipedia: National Trust

  3. Lynmouth Church and village buildings

    1899

    A lifeboat crosses the moors

    During a storm, the crew of the Lynmouth lifeboat hauled their 10-ton boat about 15 miles over land so they could launch it and reach a damaged sailing ship.

    Wikipedia: Lynmouth Lifeboat Station

    Photo: Ruth Sharville / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 2.0)

  4. Computer rendering of the Deep Impact space probe after separation of the impactor

    2005

    Deep Impact sets off

    NASA's Deep Impact probe launched on its mission to fly to a comet and look at what lies beneath its surface.

    Wikipedia: Deep Impact (spacecraft)

    Photo: NASA/JPL / Wikimedia Commons (Public domain)

Moments chosen for discovery, creativity and courage. Each one links to a source where you can read more; photos are credited to their owners.