On this day

January 12, 1940

Revisit the news, notable people, and historical moments connected to this date.

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Headlines from January 12, 1940

Notable Births

Bob Hewitt

1940Bob Hewitt, Australian-South African tennis player[โ€ ]

Robert Anthony John Hewitt is a former professional tennis player from Australia. In 1967, after marrying a South African, he became a South African citizen. He has won 15 major titles and a career Grand Slam in both men's and mixed doubles.

Ronald Shannon Jackson

1940Ronald Shannon Jackson, American drummer and composer (died 2013)[โ€ ]

Ronald Shannon Jackson was an American jazz drummer from Fort Worth, Texas. A pioneer of avant-garde jazz, free funk, and jazz fusion, he appeared on over 50 albums as a bandleader, sideman, arranger, and producer. Jackson and bassist Sirone are the only musicians to have performed and recorded with the three prime shapers of free jazz: pianist Cecil Taylor, and saxophonists Ornette Coleman and Albert Ayler.

Dick Motz

1940Dick Motz, New Zealand cricketer (died 2007)[โ€ ]

Richard Charles Motz was a New Zealand cricketer. A right-arm fast bowler and hard-hitting lower order batsman, Motz played 32 Test matches for the New Zealand national cricket team between 1961 and 1969. He was the first bowler for New Zealand to take 100 wickets in Test cricket.

Notable Deaths

Ralph Hitz

1940Ralph Hitz, Austrian-American hotelier (born 1891)[โ€ ]

Ralph Hitz was a pioneer in the hotel industry, whose ideas for marketing and customer service became the industry standard for luxury lodging. During the 1930s he was the head of the National Hotel Management Company, the largest hotel organization in the United States at the time.

Edward Smith (VC)

1940Edward Smith, English lieutenant, Victoria Cross recipient (born 1898)[โ€ ]

Edward Benn ('Ned') Smith VC, DCM was an English recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.