Today in History - History - October 12th

1973Nixon nominates Gerald Ford to replace Spiro Agnew as VP

1901Theodore Roosevelt renames "Executive Mansion," "The White House"

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

1518Pontifical ambassador interrogates Martin Luther

1915Theodore Roosevelt criticizes US citzens who identify themselves, with dual nationalities

1978Sid Vicious charged with murder of girlfriend Nancy Spungen

1999Pat LaFontaine formally retires from the NHL due to lingering concussion problems

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

1933John Dillinger escapes from jail in Allen County, Ohio

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)

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

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

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

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

1991Steven Spielberg weds Kate Capshaw

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

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

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

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

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