October 12: Hispanic Day in Spain, Day of Indigenous Resistance in Venezuela, Our Lady Aparecida's Day & Children's Day in Brazil.
- 1492 - Christopher Columbus made landfall in the Caribbean, believing he has reached East Asia.
- 1810 - The first Oktoberfest was held in Munich, to celebrate the wedding of Prince Ludwig I of Bavaria.
- 1859 - Self-described "Emperor of the United States and Protector of Mexico" Joshua A. Norton (pictured) "ordered" the United States Congress to dissolve.
- 1984 - The Provisional Irish Republican Army failed in its attempt to assassinate British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher and most of her cabinet in the Brighton hotel bombing.
- 2002 - A series of car bombs exploded in Bali, Indonesia, killing 202 people and injuring a further 209.
Recent days: October 11 – October 10 – October 9
More anniversaries: