Exciting events from 12th July in history – from Japan’s first shogun and India’s first steamship to France’s World Cup win, the man with the world’s longest nails, and the bizarre story of Adolf Hitler’s Nobel Peace Prize nomination!
Dear Students,
History is full of surprises – some inspiring, some amusing, and some downright strange! For instance did you know Hitler was once nominated for Nobel Peace Prize? I will tell you the story, but before that we’re going to explore some incredible things that happened on the 12th of July. Buckle up, because this ride goes from ancient Japan to football fields and even to the oddest Nobel Peace Prize nomination in history!
🏯 The Warrior Who Became a Ruler!
Once upon a time, in the land of samurais and cherry blossoms, there was a man named Minamoto Yoritomo. On 12th July 1192, he became the first shogun of Japan. What’s a shogun, you ask? Imagine someone who had all the real power – like a bossy general running the country – while the emperor just smiled and waved.
Yoritomo wasn’t just a military man; he changed Japan forever by setting up a new system of government that lasted for centuries!
📚 A Giant History Book is Born!
History lovers, this one’s for you! In 1493, on the 12th of July, a book called ‘The Nuremberg Chronicle’ was published in Latin in a city called Nuremberg. It was no ordinary book – it was illustrated (which means it had pictures!) and told the story of the world from the beginning of time. Think of it like the first ever “World History Comic Book”!
🚢 India’s Very Own Steamship!
On 12th July 1823, India launched its first steamship, named Diana, right in Calcutta! That’s right – built in India, by Indians, and used by the British East India Company during the Anglo-Burmese War. Imagine the excitement of seeing a steam-powered ship for the first time on the Hooghly River – puffing smoke, chugging forward like a sea dragon!
⚽ When France Ruled the Football World!
Flash forward to 12th July 1998 – the FIFA World Cup Final. France faced Brazil in a match that had fans biting their nails (not 31 feet long, thankfully!). Zinedine Zidane, the bald-headed magician, scored two brilliant goals, helping France win 3-0. Paris erupted in joy, and the Eiffel Tower probably danced a little!
💅 The Man With the Longest Nails – Ever!
Here comes a record-breaking tale! A man named Shridhar Chillal, from Maharashtra, didn’t cut the nails on his left hand for… drumroll… 66 years! 😲 That’s right – from 1952 to 2018! They reached over 31 feet in total length. But on 12th July 2018, he finally had them cut off and donated them to Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Museum.
Why did he grow them? Well, he was once scolded by a teacher for breaking a long nail – and he took it quite seriously! Sometimes, breaking rules leads to world records!
😳 Hitler for the Nobel Peace Prize? Wait… What?!
Now for the most bizarre bit of history. In 1939, a Swedish politician named Erik Brandt did something truly shocking – he nominated Adolf Hitler for the Nobel Peace Prize! Yes, that Hitler!
But don’t worry – it wasn’t a real nomination. Erik was being sarcastic, trying to make a point about world politics at the time. Of course, the joke didn’t land well, and the nomination was cancelled within days. In fact, it caused so much controversy that no Peace Prize was awarded that year.
So kids, next time you hear someone say, “History is boring,” tell them about Hitler’s fake Nobel nomination, or a man with nails longer than a classroom chalkboard!
Until next time, keep your curiosity sharp (unlike Shridhar’s nails)!
History isn’t just about dates – it’s about discovering the strangest, bravest, and funniest stories ever told!
