Menelik II, Ethiopian emperor (born 1844)

Menelik II, baptised as Sahle Maryam was king of Shewa from 1866 to 1889 and Emperor of Ethiopia from 1889 to his death in 1913. At the height of his internal power and external prestige, the process of territorial expansion and creation of the modern empire-state was largely completed by 1898.

December 12 is the 346th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar; 19 days remain until the end of the year.