February 12

This Day in History

Also on This Day

Lead Story
Milosevic goes on trial for war crimes, 2002
American Revolution
Ethan Allen dies, 1789
Automotive
GM reports record loss, offers buyouts to 74,000 workers, 2008
Civil War
Rebel General Robert Ransom is born, 1828
Cold War
Russian ships bump U.S. destroyer and cruiser, 1988
Crime
Actor Sal Mineo is killed in Hollywood, 1976
Disaster
Iranian jet slams into mountain, 2002
General Interest
Congress enacts first fugitive slave law, 1793
Garnet preaches to House on slavery and Civil War, 1865
Last emperor of China abdicates, 1912
Scharansky released, 1986
President Clinton acquitted, 1999
Hollywood
Writers’ strike ends after 100 days, 2008
Literary
Judy Blume, popular young-adult author, is born, 1938
Music
Rhapsody In Blue, by George Gershwin, performed for first time, 1924
Old West
Lorne Greene is born, 1915
Presidential
Abraham Lincoln is born, 1809
Sports
Basketball great Bill Russell born, 1934
Vietnam War
Cambodians launch attack to retake Angkor Wat, 1972
Release of U.S. POWs begins, 1973
World War I
British planes raid Belgian coast, 1915
American schooner Lyman M. Law is sunk, 1917
World War II
Rommel in Africa, 1941

Literary

Feb 12, 1938:

Judy Blume, popular young-adult author, is born

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On this day in 1938, best-selling author Judy Blume, known for her children’s books and young-adult novels, including “Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing” and “Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret,” is born in Elizabeth, New Jersey. Blume’s books have been beloved by several generations of readers; however, the explicit subject matter of some of her novels for adolescents has made them a target for censors.

Blume, born Judy Sussman, was raised in New Jersey and attended New York University, graduating in 1961 with a degree in teaching. She married while still a college student and had two children by the time she was in her mid-20s. In 1969, Blume published her first children’s book, “The One in the Middle Is the Green Kangaroo.” More fiction for grade-school-age readers followed, including “Freckle Juice” (1971), “Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing” (1972), “Otherwise Known as Sheila the Great” (1972) and “Blubber” (1974). In 1970, Blume published the young-adult novel “Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret.” She went on to write other novels for adolescents, including “Then Again, Maybe I Won’t” (1971), “Deenie” (1973) and “Forever” (1975). Blume’s books, which realistically address such topics as menstruation, bullying, divorce, sexuality, friendships, family and body image, gained legions of young fans; however, their content frequently led them to be banned by school libraries. After her work was the target of an organized book-banning campaign in the 1980s, Blume became an anti-censorship activist.

In addition to writing for young readers, Blume has penned novels for adults, including “Wifey” (1978), “Smart Women” (1983) and “Summer Sisters” (1998), all of which were best-sellers. To date, her books have sold over 80 million copies and been translated into more than 30 languages.

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Previous Day February 12 Calendar Next Day

This Week in History, Feb 12 - Feb 18

Feb 12, 1938
Judy Blume, popular young-adult author, is born
Feb 13, 1991
Long-lost Twain manuscript authenticated
Feb 14, 1842
The Boz Ball celebrates Dickens
Feb 15, 1980
Lillian Hellman sues Mary McCarthy
Feb 16, 1944
Pulitzer Prize winner Richard Ford is born
Feb 17, 2000
Dave Eggers’ Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius debuts
Feb 18, 1931
Toni Morrison's birthday

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