Today in History - History - October 12th

1492Christopher Columbus's expedition makes landfall on Caribbean island he names San Salvador (likely Watling Island, Bahamas). The explorer believes he has reached East Asia (OS 21 Oct)

1792First celebration of Columbus Day in the USA held in New York

1986Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh visit the People's Republic of China

1862JEB Stuart completes his "second ride around Mcclellan"

1933John Dillinger escapes from jail in Allen County, Ohio

1900The first modern submarine is commissioned by the U.S.Navy as the USS Holland, named for its designer John Philip Holland

1960JFK & Richard Nixon's third presidential debate

1833Charles Darwin begins return trip to Buenos Aires

1518Pontifical ambassador interrogates Martin Luther

1966Jimi Hendrix Experience forms with Jimi Hendrix, Noel Redding & Mitch Mitchell

1935Luciano Pavarotti, Modena Italy, operatic tenor (Oh Giorgio, 3 Tenors), (d. 2007)

1968Hugh Jackman, Australian actor and singer (X-men, Real Steel)

1942Jazz musician Louis Armstrong (41) weds dancer Lucille Wilson (28)

1980Oscar-winning actor Dustin Hoffman (43) weds businesswoman Lisa Gottsegen (26) in Roxbury, Connecticut

1929US military leader George Marshall (48) weds Katherine Tupper

1893Education pioneer Booker T. Washington (37) weds Margaret James Murray

1822"The Hunchback of Notre Dame" author Victor Hugo (20) weds Adele Fourcher

1991Steven Spielberg weds Kate Capshaw

1997John Denver, American country music star (Country Boy), dies in a plane crash at 53

1870Robert E. Lee, US General of Confederate Army, dies at 63

1999Wilt Chamberlain, American basketball player, dies of congestive heart failure at 63

1845Elizabeth Fry, British social reformer and philanthropist (b. 1780)