13 April 2012
  • Composers Frederick Delius and Claude Debussy are born.
  • Rapid-fire Gatling gun is invented.
  • London's Metropolitan line, the world's first underground railway, is under construction.
  • Victor Hugo writes Les Misérables.
  • Battle of Antiem, the bloodiest day of the American Civil War - 22,700 casualties and no clear victor.
  • President Abraham Lincoln declares all US slaves free.
  • World Exhibition in London.
  • Acetylene is discovered.
  • Speed of light is measured by Foucault.

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