On This Day — October 12

Famous events, births, and deaths from October 12 in history, plus the public holidays, religious observances, sports, and national days happening on this date today.

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60 events · 212 births · 113 deaths recorded for October 12.

🕰️ Notable Events on October 12

2013 — Fifty-one people are killed after a truck veers off a cliff in La Convención Province, Peru. Wikipedia ↗
2008 — Lithuanian nuclear power referendum, 2008 is performed. Wikipedia ↗
2005 — The second Chinese human spaceflight Shenzhou 6 launched carrying Fèi Jùnlóng and Niè Hǎishèng for five days in orbit. Wikipedia ↗
2002 — Terrorists detonate bombs in the Sari Club in Kuta, Bali, killing 202 and wounding over 300. Wikipedia ↗
2000 — The USS Cole is badly damaged in Aden, Yemen, by two suicide bombers, killing 17 crew members and wounding at least 39. Wikipedia ↗
1999 — Pervez Musharraf takes power in Pakistan from Nawaz Sharif through a bloodless coup. Wikipedia ↗
1999 — The former Autonomous Soviet Republic of Abkhazia declares its independence from Georgia Wikipedia ↗
1998 — Matthew Shepard, a gay student at University of Wyoming, dies five days after he was beaten, robbed and left tied to a wooden fence post outside of Laramie, Wyoming. Wikipedia ↗
1997 — Sidi Daoud massacre in Algeria that killed 43 at a fake roadblock. Wikipedia ↗
1994 — The Magellan spacecraft burns up in the atmosphere of Venus. Wikipedia ↗
1992 — A 5.8 earthquake occurred in Cairo, Egypt. At least 510 died. Wikipedia ↗
1988 — Two officers of the Victoria Police are gunned down execution-style in the Walsh Street police shootings, Australia. Wikipedia ↗
1986 — Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh visit China. Wikipedia ↗
1984 — Brighton hotel bombing: The Provisional Irish Republican Army attempt to assassinate Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher and her cabinet. Thatcher escapes but the bomb kills five people and wounds 31. Wikipedia ↗
1984 — American actor Jon-Erik Hexum accidentally shoots himself with a prop gun. He dies six days later. Wikipedia ↗
1983 — Japan's former Prime Minister Tanaka Kakuei is found guilty of taking a $2 million bribe from Lockheed and is sentenced to four years in jail. Wikipedia ↗
1979 — The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, the first of five books in the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy comedy science fiction series by Douglas Adams is published. Wikipedia ↗
1979 — The lowest recorded non-tornadic atmospheric pressure, 87.0 kPa (870 mbar or 25.69 inHg), occurred in the Western Pacific during Typhoon Tip. Wikipedia ↗
1971 — The 2,500 year celebration of the Persian Empire is held (until October 16). Wikipedia ↗
1970 — Vietnam War: US President Richard Nixon announces that the United States will withdraw 40,000 more troops before Christmas Wikipedia ↗
1968 — Equatorial Guinea becomes independent from Spain. Wikipedia ↗
1967 — Vietnam War: US Secretary of State Dean Rusk states during a news conference that proposals by the U.S. Congress for peace initiatives are futile because of North Vietnam's opposition. Wikipedia ↗
1964 — The Soviet Union launches the Voskhod 1 into Earth orbit as the first spacecraft with a multi-person crew and the first flight without space suits. Wikipedia ↗
1963 — After nearly 23 years of imprisonment, Reverend Walter Ciszek, a Jesuit missionary, was released from the Soviet Union. Wikipedia ↗
1962 — The Columbus Day Storm strikes the U.S. Pacific Northwest with record wind velocities; 46 dead and at least U.S. $230 million in damages. Wikipedia ↗
1960 — Cold War: Nikita Khrushchev pounds his shoe on a desk at United Nations General Assembly meeting to protest a Philippine assertion of Soviet Union colonial policy being conducted in Eastern Europe. Wikipedia ↗
1960 — Television viewers in Japan unexpectedly witness the assassination of Inejiro Asanuma, leader of the Japan Socialist Party, when he is stabbed to death during a live broadcast. Wikipedia ↗
1959 — At the national congress of APRA in Peru a group of leftist radicals are expelled from the party who later form APRA Rebelde. Wikipedia ↗
1945 — World War II: Desmond Doss is the first conscientious objector to receive the U.S. Medal of Honor. Wikipedia ↗
1944 — World War II: The Axis occupation of Athens comes to an end. Wikipedia ↗
1942 — World War II: Japanese ships retreat after their defeat in the Battle of Cape Esperance. Wikipedia ↗
1933 — The military Alcatraz Citadel becomes the civilian Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary. Wikipedia ↗
1928 — An iron lung respirator is used for the first time at Children's Hospital, Boston. Wikipedia ↗
1918 — A massive forest fire kills 453 people in Cloquet, Minnesota. Wikipedia ↗
1917 — World War I: The First Battle of Passchendaele takes place resulting in the largest single day loss of life in New Zealand history. Wikipedia ↗
1915 — World War I: British nurse Edith Cavell is executed by a German firing squad for helping Allied soldiers escape from Belgium Wikipedia ↗
1901 — President Theodore Roosevelt officially renames the "Executive Mansion" to the White House. Wikipedia ↗
1892 — The Pledge of Allegiance is first recited by students in many US public schools, as part of a celebration marking the 400th anniversary of Columbus's voyage. Wikipedia ↗
1890 — Uddevalla Suffrage Association is formed. Wikipedia ↗
1871 — Criminal Tribes Act (CTA) enacted by British rule in India, which named over 160 local communities 'Criminal Tribes', i.e. hereditary criminals. Repealed in 1949, after Independence of India. Wikipedia ↗
1849 — The city of Manizales, Colombia is founded by 'The Expedition of the 20'. Wikipedia ↗
1847 — German inventor and industrialist Werner von Siemens founds Siemens & Halske, which later becomes Siemens AG. Wikipedia ↗
1823 — Charles Macintosh of Scotland sells the first raincoat. Wikipedia ↗
1822 — Pedro I of Brazil is proclaimed the emperor of the Empire of Brazil. Wikipedia ↗
1810 — First Oktoberfest: The Bavarian royalty invites the citizens of Munich to join the celebration of the marriage of Crown Prince Ludwig of Bavaria to Princess Therese von Sachsen-Hildburghausen. Wikipedia ↗
1799 — Jeanne Geneviève Labrosse becomes the first woman to jump from a balloon with a parachute, from an altitude of 900 metres (3,000 ft). Wikipedia ↗
1798 — Flemish and Luxembourgish peasants launch the rebellion against French rule known as the Peasants' War. Wikipedia ↗
1793 — The cornerstone of Old East, the oldest state university building in the United States, is laid on the campus of the University of North Carolina. Wikipedia ↗
1792 — The first celebration of Columbus Day is held in New York City. Wikipedia ↗
1773 — America's first insane asylum opens. Wikipedia ↗
1748 — British and Spanish naval forces engage at the Battle of Havana during the War of Jenkins' Ear. Wikipedia ↗
1692 — The Salem witch trials are ended by a letter from Massachusetts Governor Sir William Phips. Wikipedia ↗
1654 — The Delft Explosion devastates the city in the Netherlands, killing more than 100 people. Wikipedia ↗
1582 — Because of the implementation of the Gregorian calendar this day does not exist in this year in Italy, Poland, Portugal and Spain. Wikipedia ↗
1492 — Christopher Columbus's expedition makes landfall in the Caribbean, specifically in The Bahamas. The explorer believes he has reached the Indies. Wikipedia ↗
1398 — The Treaty of Salynas is signed between Grand Duke of Lithuania Vytautas the Great and the Teutonic Knights, who received Samogitia. Wikipedia ↗
1279 — Nichiren, a Japanese Buddhist monk founder of Nichiren Buddhism, is said to have inscribed the Dai Gohonzon. Wikipedia ↗
1113 — The city of Oradea is first mentioned under the Latin name Varadinum ("vár" means fortress in Hungarian). Wikipedia ↗
633 — Battle of Hatfield Chase: King Edwin of Northumbria is defeated and killed by the British under Penda of Mercia and Cadwallon of Gwynedd. Wikipedia ↗
The army of Cyrus the Great of Persia takes Babylon (Julian calendar) Wikipedia ↗

🎂 Notable Births on October 12

2002 — Iris Apatow, American actress Wikipedia ↗
1997 — Curtis Scott, Australian rugby league player Wikipedia ↗
1996 — Riechedly Bazoer, Dutch footballer Wikipedia ↗
1994 — Sean Monahan, Canadian ice hockey player Wikipedia ↗
1994 — Olivia Smoliga, American swimmer Wikipedia ↗
1992 — Josh Hutcherson, American actor and producer Wikipedia ↗
1991 — Nicolao Dumitru, Italian footballer Wikipedia ↗
1990 — Henri Lansbury, English footballer Wikipedia ↗
1989 — Anna Ohmiya, Japanese curler Wikipedia ↗
1988 — Sam Whitelock, New Zealand rugby player Wikipedia ↗
1987 — Marvin Ogunjimi, Belgian footballer Wikipedia ↗
1986 — Ioannis Maniatis, Greek footballer Wikipedia ↗
1986 — Sergio Peter, German footballer Wikipedia ↗
1985 — Michelle Carter, American shot putter Wikipedia ↗
1985 — Mike Green, Canadian hockey player Wikipedia ↗
1985 — Anna Iljuštšenko, Estonian high jumper Wikipedia ↗
1983 — Alex Brosque, Australian footballer Wikipedia ↗
1983 — Carlton Cole, English footballer Wikipedia ↗
1983 — Mariko Yamamoto, Japanese cricketer Wikipedia ↗
1981 — Brian Kerr, Scottish football player and manager Wikipedia ↗
1981 — Giuseppe Lanzone, American rower Wikipedia ↗
1981 — Conrad Smith, New Zealand rugby player Wikipedia ↗
1981 — Sun Tiantian, Chinese tennis player Wikipedia ↗
1980 — Ledley King, English footballer Wikipedia ↗
1979 — Steven Agnew, Northern Irish politician Wikipedia ↗
1979 — Steve Borthwick, English rugby player Wikipedia ↗
1979 — Jordan Pundik, American singer-songwriter and guitarist Wikipedia ↗
1978 — Stefan Binder, German footballer Wikipedia ↗
1978 — Baden Cooke, Australian cyclist Wikipedia ↗
1977 — Cristie Kerr, American golfer Wikipedia ↗
1977 — Bode Miller, American skier Wikipedia ↗
1977 — Javier Toyo, Venezuelan footballer Wikipedia ↗
1975 — Susana Félix, Portuguese singer-songwriter, producer, and actress Wikipedia ↗
1975 — Marion Jones, American basketball player and runner Wikipedia ↗
1974 — Stephen Lee, English snooker player Wikipedia ↗
1973 — Lesli Brea, Dominican baseball player Wikipedia ↗
1973 — Martin Corry, English rugby player Wikipedia ↗
1972 — Neriah Davis, American model and actress Wikipedia ↗
1972 — Juan Manuel Silva, Argentinian race car driver Wikipedia ↗
1972 — Tom Van Mol, Belgian footballer Wikipedia ↗
1971 — Tony Fiore, American baseball player Wikipedia ↗
1971 — Steve Johnston, Australian motorcycle racer Wikipedia ↗
1971 — Bronzell Miller, American football player and actor (d. 2013) Wikipedia ↗
1970 — Kirk Cameron, American actor, screenwriter, and Christian evangelical/anti-evolution activist Wikipedia ↗
1970 — Patrick Musimu, Belgian diver and physiotherapist (d. 2011) Wikipedia ↗
1970 — Tanyon Sturtze, American baseball player Wikipedia ↗
1970 — Charlie Ward, American basketball player and coach Wikipedia ↗
1969 — Martie Maguire, American singer-songwriter, violinist, and producer Wikipedia ↗
1969 — Željko Milinovič, Slovenian footballer Wikipedia ↗
1969 — Dwayne Roloson, Canadian ice hockey player and coach Wikipedia ↗
1969 — José Valentín, American baseball player, coach, and manager Wikipedia ↗
1968 — Bill Auberlen, American race car driver Wikipedia ↗
1968 — Paul Harragon, Australian rugby league player and sportscaster Wikipedia ↗
1968 — Hugh Jackman, Australian actor, singer, and producer Wikipedia ↗
1968 — Leon Lett, American football player Wikipedia ↗
1967 — Becky Iverson, American golfer Wikipedia ↗
1966 — Jonathan Crombie, Canadian actor and voice over artist (d. 2015) Wikipedia ↗
1966 — Wim Jonk, Dutch footballer Wikipedia ↗
1966 — Brian Kennedy, Northern Irish singer-songwriter and guitarist Wikipedia ↗
1966 — Brenda Romero, American game designer Wikipedia ↗
1965 — Dan Abnett, English author Wikipedia ↗
1965 — J. J. Daigneault, Canadian ice hockey player and coach Wikipedia ↗
1965 — Scott O'Grady, American captain and pilot Wikipedia ↗
1963 — Raimond Aumann, German footballer Wikipedia ↗
1963 — Hideki Fujisawa, Japanese composer Wikipedia ↗
1963 — Satoshi Kon, Japanese animator and screenwriter (d. 2010) Wikipedia ↗
1963 — Dave Legeno, English actor and mixed martial artist (d. 2014) Wikipedia ↗
1963 — Alan McDonald, Irish footballer and manager (d. 2012) Wikipedia ↗
1963 — Luis Polonia, Dominican baseball player Wikipedia ↗
1962 — Carlos Bernard, American actor and director Wikipedia ↗
1962 — Chris Botti, American trumpet player and composer Wikipedia ↗
1962 — John Coleman, English footballer and manager Wikipedia ↗
1962 — Branko Crvenkovski, Macedonian engineer and politician, 3rd President of the Republic of Macedonia Wikipedia ↗
1962 — Deborah Foreman, American actress and photographer Wikipedia ↗
1962 — Mads Eriksen, Norwegian guitarist and composer Wikipedia ↗
1961 — Chendo, Spanish footballer Wikipedia ↗
1960 — Steve Lowery, American golfer Wikipedia ↗
1960 — Carlo Perrone, Italian footballer and manager Wikipedia ↗
1959 — Anna Escobedo Cabral, American lawyer and politician, 42nd Treasurer of the United States Wikipedia ↗
1958 — Steve Austria, American lawyer and politician Wikipedia ↗
1958 — Maria de Fátima Silva de Sequeira Dias, Portuguese historian, author, and academic (d. 2013) Wikipedia ↗
1958 — Jeff Keith, American rock singer-songwriter (Tesla) Wikipedia ↗
1958 — Bryn Merrick, Welsh bass player (d. 2015) Wikipedia ↗
1957 — Clémentine Célarié, French actress, singer, and director Wikipedia ↗
1957 — Serge Clerc, French comic book artist and illustrator Wikipedia ↗
1957 — Mike Dowler, Welsh football goalkeeper Wikipedia ↗
1957 — Annik Honoré, Belgian journalist and music promoter (d. 2014) Wikipedia ↗
1957 — William F. Laurance, Australian biologist Wikipedia ↗
1956 — Rafael Ábalos, Spanish author Wikipedia ↗
1956 — Allan Evans, Scottish footballer Wikipedia ↗
1956 — Lutz Haueisen, German cyclist Wikipedia ↗
1956 — Catherine Holmes, Australian judge Wikipedia ↗
1956 — Gerti Schanderl, German figure skater Wikipedia ↗
1956 — David Vanian, English singer-songwriter Wikipedia ↗
1955 — Einar Jan Aas, Norwegian footballer Wikipedia ↗
1955 — Pat DiNizio, American singer-songwriter and guitarist Wikipedia ↗
1955 — Ante Gotovina, Croatian general Wikipedia ↗
1955 — Jane Siberry, Canadian singer-songwriter and producer Wikipedia ↗
1954 — Massimo Ghini, Italian actor Wikipedia ↗
1954 — Michael Roe, American, singer, songwriter, and record producer Wikipedia ↗
1954 — Linval Thompson, Jamaican singer and producer Wikipedia ↗
1953 — Les Dennis, English comedian and actor Wikipedia ↗
1953 — David Threlfall, English actor and director Wikipedia ↗
1952 — Béla Csécsei, Hungarian educator and politician (d. 2012) Wikipedia ↗
1952 — Roger Heath-Brown, English mathematician and theorist Wikipedia ↗
1951 — Sally Little, South African-American golfer Wikipedia ↗
1951 — Ed Royce, American businessman and politician Wikipedia ↗
1951 — Norio Suzuki, Japanese golfer Wikipedia ↗
1950 — Susan Anton, American actress and model Wikipedia ↗
1950 — Dave Freudenthal, American economist and politician, 31st Governor of Wyoming Wikipedia ↗
1949 — Dave Lloyd, English cyclist and coach Wikipedia ↗
1949 — Carlos the Jackal, Venezuelan terrorist and murderer Wikipedia ↗
1949 — Paul Went, English footballer and manager (d. 2017) Wikipedia ↗
1948 — John Engler, American businessman and politician, 46th Governor of Michigan Wikipedia ↗
1948 — Rick Parfitt, English singer-songwriter and guitarist (d. 2016) Wikipedia ↗
1947 — Chris Wallace, American journalist Wikipedia ↗
1946 — Ashok Mankad, Indian cricketer (d. 2008) Wikipedia ↗
1946 — Daryl Runswick, English bassist and composer Wikipedia ↗
1945 — Aurore Clément, French actress Wikipedia ↗
1945 — Dusty Rhodes, American wrestler and trainer (d. 2015) Wikipedia ↗
1944 — Angela Rippon, English journalist and author Wikipedia ↗
1943 — Kostas Tsakonas, Greek actor (d. 2015) Wikipedia ↗
1942 — Melvin Franklin, American soul bass singer (The Temptations) (d. 1995) Wikipedia ↗
1941 — Michael Mansfield, English lawyer, academic, and republican Wikipedia ↗
1937 — Paul Hawkins, Australian race car driver (d. 1969) Wikipedia ↗
1937 — Robert Mangold, American painter Wikipedia ↗
1935 — Don Howe, English footballer and manager (d. 2015) Wikipedia ↗
1935 — Tony Kubek, American baseball player and sportscaster Wikipedia ↗
1935 — Sam Moore, American soul singer-songwriter (Sam & Dave) Wikipedia ↗
1935 — Shivraj Patil, Indian lawyer and politician, Indian Minister of Defence Wikipedia ↗
1935 — Luciano Pavarotti, Italian tenor and actor (d. 2007) Wikipedia ↗
1934 — James "Sugar Boy" Crawford, American singer-songwriter and pianist (d. 2012) Wikipedia ↗
1934 — Richard Meier, American architect, designed the Getty Center and City Tower Wikipedia ↗
1934 — Albert Shiryaev, Russian mathematician and academic Wikipedia ↗
1934 — Oğuz Atay, Turkish engineer and author (d. 1977) Wikipedia ↗
1933 — Guido Molinari, Canadian painter and art collector (d. 2004) Wikipedia ↗
1932 — Dick Gregory, American comedian, actor, and author (d. 2017) Wikipedia ↗
1932 — Ned Jarrett, American race car driver and sportscaster Wikipedia ↗
1932 — John Moffat, Danish physicist and academic Wikipedia ↗
1931 — Ole-Johan Dahl, Norwegian computer scientist and academic, co-developed Simula (d. 2002) Wikipedia ↗