United States History On This Date: May 12th

1846 — U.S. declares war on Mexico — President James K. Polk received congressional approval for a declaration of war against Mexico following clashes along the Rio Grande. The conflict accelerated debates over expansion, slavery, and national destiny. Within two years, the United States would acquire vast western territories, reshaping the nation’s political landscape and intensifying sectional tensions that would erupt into civil war.

1864 — Battle of Spotsylvania Court House intensifies — Grant and Lee’s armies continued their brutal struggle in Virginia as Union assaults pressed against entrenched Confederate lines. The fighting around the “Bloody Angle” became some of the most savage of the war, symbolizing the grinding nature of the Overland Campaign. Despite staggering losses, Grant refused to retreat, signaling a new, relentless Union strategy.

1932 — Body of Charles Lindbergh Jr. discovered — Ten weeks after the kidnapping that shocked the nation, the remains of Charles Lindbergh’s infant son were found near the family home in New Jersey. The discovery intensified the investigation that would eventually lead to the arrest and conviction of Bruno Hauptmann. The tragedy reshaped national attitudes toward crime, celebrity, and federal law enforcement.

1949 — Soviet blockade of Berlin ends — After nearly a year of tension, the Soviet Union lifted its blockade of West Berlin, ending one of the first major crises of the Cold War. The U.S.‑led Berlin Airlift had successfully sustained the city with food and supplies, demonstrating Western resolve. The episode solidified the division of Europe and accelerated the formation of NATO.

Battle of Spotsylvania May 12th, 1864