What major historical events happened on October 12?

Events listed for October 12 include the taking of Babylon by Cyrus the Great’s army in 539 BC, Columbus’s 1492 landfall in the Caribbean, the commissioning of the USS Holland in 1900, and Ford’s production of its millionth automobile in 1915.

What happened during Christopher Columbus’s October 12, 1492 voyage?

Columbus’s expedition reached a Caribbean island that he named San Salvador, likely Watling Island in the Bahamas. He believed the landfall had brought him to East Asia.

What milestones are associated with October 12 in modern history?

Modern milestones listed for October 12 include the U.S. Navy commissioning the USS Holland in 1900 as the first modern submarine, Ford manufacturing its 1 millionth automobile in 1915, and the 1999 proclamation of the Day of Six Billion.

MONDAY, Oct. 12, 2026

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Summary

Historical events on Monday, Oct. 12, include Cyrus the Great’s army taking Babylon, Christopher Columbus reaching a Caribbean island, and the commissioning of the USS Holland. Other milestones include Ford Motor Company producing its 1 millionth automobile and the birth recognized as the world’s 6 billionth living human.

Key Facts

Nichiren inscribed the Dai-Gohonzon in 1279, according to the historical listing.
Christopher Columbus’s expedition landed on a Caribbean island in 1492 that he named San Salvador, likely Watling Island in the Bahamas.
Brazilian troops commanded by Gen. João Propício Mena Barreto invaded Uruguay in 1864 before the War of the Triple Alliance.
The U.S. Navy commissioned the USS Holland in 1900 as the first modern submarine, naming it after designer John Philip Holland.
Ford Motor Company manufactured its 1 millionth automobile at the River Rouge plant in Detroit in 1915.

Published Oct 11, 2026 10:50 am KST

539 BC -Army of Cyrus the Great of Persia takes Babylon

1279-Nichiren, a Japanese Buddhist monk, founder of Nichiren Buddhism, inscribes the Dai-Gohonzon

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

1864-Brazilian troops under the command of Gen. João Propício Mena Barreto invade Uruguay in a prelude to the War of the Triple Alliance

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

1915-Ford Motor Company under Henry Ford manufactures its 1 millionth automobile at the River Rouge plant in Detroit

1999-The Day of Six Billion is proclaimed as the 6 billionth living human in the world is born

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