21 fun facts for October, 12
Discover dozens of fun facts for this special day. Read the summary for a quick recap on what happened.
Summary
October 12th is a day filled with historically significant events, such as Christopher Columbus reaching the Americas and the launch of the first multi-crew spacecraft, Voskhod 1. Additionally, it's a day of celebration, with National Freethought Day in the US, National Farmer's Day, and National Ayurveda Day in India.
21 Fun facts
- On October 12th, 1492, Christopher Columbus and his crew reached the Americas. This event marked the beginning of European exploration, conquest, and colonization of the American continents.
- In 1609, the Songhai Empire in West Africa officially ended, after having survived for nearly 1,000 years. The empire was renowned for its significant influence on African art, trade, and education.
- The United States Naval Academy opened its doors for the first time on October 12, 1845, in Annapolis, Maryland. The prestigious military academy has since then produced many exceptional leaders.
- In 1870, Fiji officially became a British colony, an arrangement that lasted until 1970 when the island nation became independent.
- October 12th is National Freethought Day in the United States. This holiday is dedicated to celebrating critical thinking, skepticism, secularism, and the pursuit of intellectual freedom.
- On October 12th, 1871, the British government established the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) in London. The department's role was to solve complex crimes by developing modern investigative techniques, such as fingerprinting.
- In 1892, the first students started attending classes at the University of Chicago. Now, the university is consistently ranked among the top academic institutions in the world.
- In 1928, the first iron lung was used on this day at the Boston Children's Hospital. The device greatly improved the quality of life for patients with polio and other lung-related issues.
- On October 12th, 1960, the iconic Etch a Sketch toy was first introduced by the Ohio Art Company. The fun, classic red-framed drawing toy is still beloved by children and adults alike.
- In 1964, the Soviet Union launched Voskhod 1, the first spacecraft to carry more than one crew member. This pioneering mission paved the way for more complex space projects.
- October 12th, 1979, Douglas Adams published the first book in his popular "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy" series. This comedic science fiction has since become a cultural icon with a passionate fanbase.
- In 1988, the Shroud of Turin, believed by many to be the actual burial cloth of Jesus Christ, was carbon-dated to the Middle Ages, dispelling its authenticity claims.
- On this day in 1994, NASA's Magellan spacecraft ended its mission to Venus. The Magellan was the first spacecraft to provide detailed images of the planet's surface.
- October 12th marks the anniversary of the Mitsubishi Heavy Industries bombing in 1972 in Japan. The attack was the deadliest in post-war Japan, killing eight people and injuring around 375 others.
- In 1999, the world's population reached six billion, according to the United Nations. Today, the world's population has surpassed seven billion.
- On October 12th, 2001, Apple released the iPod, which revolutionized the way people listen to music and consume digital media.
- In 2007, former U.S. Vice President Al Gore and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change were awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for raising awareness about global warming.
- National Farmer's Day is celebrated in the United States on October 12, honoring the hard work and dedication of farmers throughout the country.
- In India, October 12 is National Ayurveda Day, celebrating India's traditional medicine system that has been practiced for over 3,000 years.
- On this day in 2017, The United States announced its decision to withdraw from UNESCO, the United Nations' cultural and scientific organization, citing anti-Israel bias concerns.
- In 2018, Princess Eugenie of York married Jack Brooksbank at St. George's Chapel in Windsor Castle, the same location where Prince Harry and Meghan Markle were married earlier that year.