February 12 is a significant day in Alabama history. Here are five interesting facts about this day:

1. Alabama became a state on February 12, 1819. This makes it Alabama's "birthday." The state was admitted to the union as the 22nd state.

2. On February 12, 1909, the Southern University School of Engineering and Mines was officially established in Birmingham, Alabama. The school has since been renamed the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB).

3. In 1963, civil rights leader Fred Shuttlesworth was arrested in Birmingham on this day. He had been leading protests against segregation in the city, and his arrest sparked even more demonstrations.

4. On February 12, 1942, the city of Mobile experienced a deadly tornado that killed 17 people and injured over 200. Many buildings were destroyed, and the city had to rebuild in the aftermath of the disaster.

5. Senator Jeff Sessions was born on February 12, 1946, in Selma, Alabama. Sessions would go on to serve as Attorney General of the United States under President Donald Trump from 2017 to 2018.