1492
Science
Columbus's expedition makes first landfall in the Americas
Columbus's expedition, sponsored by Isabella and Ferdinand, makes landfall in the Bahamas, initiating sustained European contact with the Americas.
View detailsThis Day
12October
31 indexed achievements across recorded history.
1492
Exploration
Columbus’s landfall in the Bahamas on Isabella’s sponsored voyage
Columbus, backed by Isabella, made landfall in the Bahamas, opening the Americas to sustained European exploration.
View details1537
Science
Birth of Prince Edward, Henry VIII's Long-Awaited Male Heir
Jane Seymour gave birth to Prince Edward at Hampton Court Palace, providing Henry VIII with his only legitimate surviving son and heir.
View details1768
Medicine
Catherine receives smallpox inoculation, pioneering vaccination in Russia
Catherine undergoes smallpox inoculation on 12 October 1768, becoming among the first in Russia to be immunized and championing vaccination publicly.
View details1845
Activism
Death of Elizabeth Fry in Ramsgate, Kent
Elizabeth Fry died of a stroke in Ramsgate, Kent, at age 65, ending a career that transformed British prison and social reform.
View details1864
Literature
Birth of Kamini Roy
Kamini Roy was born on October 12, 1864, in the Bengal Presidency, British India.
View details1874
Science
Co-founding of the London School of Medicine for Women
Garrett co-founded the London School of Medicine for Women, Britain's first medical school to formally train women as doctors.
View details1886
Literature
First Woman to Graduate with Honors in British India
On October 12, 1886, Kamini Roy became the first woman to graduate with honors in British India.
View details1886
Arts
Death of Ellen Eliza Fitz
Ellen Eliza Fitz died in Watertown, Massachusetts, after a long illness, leaving behind a lasting legacy in educational globe design.
View details1893
Politics
Birth of Velvalee Dickinson
Velvalee Dickinson was born on October 12, 1893, in Sacramento, California.
View details1914
Science
Death in Framingham, Massachusetts
Margaret Knight died at 76 in Framingham, Massachusetts, holding at least 27 patents; a final patent was granted posthumously in 1915.
View details1915
Activism
Execution of Edith Cavell
Edith Cavell was executed by German forces on October 12, 1915.
View details1919
Science
Born in Waco, Texas
Doris "Dorie" Miller was born near Waco, Texas, the third of four sons of sharecroppers Connery and Henrietta Miller.
View details1928
1944
Activism
Deportation to Auschwitz
Regina Jonas was deported from Theresienstadt to Auschwitz on Transport Equ 064/328.
View details1949
Politics
First woman nominated as a U.S. ambassador
On October 12, 1949, President Harry S. Truman nominated Eugenie Anderson as U.S. ambassador to Denmark, making her the first woman ever chosen for ambassadorial rank.
View details1950
Arts
Premiere of The George Burns and Gracie Allen Show
Television debut of their comedic show on October 12, 1950.
View details1951
Medicine
Autopsy and additional tissue sampling
An autopsy performed on October 12, 1951 collected additional tissue samples later used to further propagate the HeLa cell line.
View details1979
Science
Death of Katharine Burr Blodgett
Katharine Burr Blodgett dies in Schenectady, New York, on October 12, 1979, after a pioneering career in physics, chemistry, and industrial research.
View details1986
Politics
First British monarch to visit China
Elizabeth II's visit to China represented a historical diplomatic milestone.
View details1990
Activism
Awarded Rafto Human Rights Prize
Suu Kyi receives the Rafto Human Rights Prize for her leadership in Burma’s democracy movement.
View details1996
Politics
Dismissal of Bhutto's second government
President Farooq Leghari dismissed Bhutto's second government and dissolved the National Assembly over corruption and mismanagement charges.
View details2000
Arts
Induction into ADC Hall of Fame
Ray Eames was inducted into the ADC Hall of Fame posthumously.
View details2009
Science
First woman awarded Nobel Prize in Economic Sciences
Elinor Ostrom became the first woman to win the Nobel Prize in Economic Sciences.
View details2010
Literature
Died in Short Hills, New Jersey
Belva Plain died on October 12, 2010, in Short Hills, New Jersey, at age 95, after a prolific decades-long writing career.
View details2013
Politics
Induction into the National Women’s Hall of Fame
Pelosi is inducted into the National Women’s Hall of Fame in Seneca Falls, honoring her barrier‑breaking congressional leadership.
View details2013
Arts
Inducted into the National Women's Hall of Fame
On October 12, 2013, Lansing was formally inducted into the National Women's Hall of Fame.
View details2014
Sports
Chicago Marathon win and course record 1:42:35
Wins Chicago Marathon wheelchair division and sets a 1:42:35 course record on 12 October 2014.
View details2019
Sports
First boxer to win eight World Championship medals
Mary Kom set a record by winning her eighth World Championship medal.
View details2019
2022
Science
Induction into the American Academy of Arts & Sciences
On October 12, 2022, Chung-Pei Ma was inducted into the American Academy of Arts & Sciences.
View details