1. On January 12, 1842, a group of American soldiers led by Colonel William Harney defeated a Seminole Indian force at the Battle of the Loxahatchee River. This victory helped to bring an end to the Second Seminole War, which had been raging in Florida since 1835.

2. In 1915, on January 12, the first Transcontinental Phone Line was completed. This landmark achievement allowed for the first coast-to-coast telephone calls to be made in the United States.

3. On January 12, 1932, the city of Miami was struck by a powerful tornado. The storm caused widespread damage and claimed the lives of at least 12 people.

4. In 1955, on January 12, the famous racing driver and entrepreneur, Bill France Sr., founded the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR) in Daytona Beach, Florida. Today, NASCAR is the most popular motorsport in the United States.

5. On January 12, 2010, a devastating earthquake struck Haiti. While not directly related to Florida history, the state played a crucial role in the relief effort, with many organizations and individuals working to provide aid to the Haitian people in the aftermath of the disaster.