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12th October

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1492: Columbus reaches the New World


Italian explorer Christopher Columbus sights a Bahamian island, believing that he has reached East Asia. His expedition went ashore the same day, and claimed the land for Isabella and Ferdinand of Spain, who sponsored his attempt to find a western ocean route to the fabled cities of Asia. Later that month, Columbus sighted Cuba, which he thought was mainland China, and in December the expedition landed on Hispaniola, which Columbus thought might be Japan. He established a small colony there with 39 of his men. The explorer returned to Spain with gold, spices, and Indian captives in March 1493, and was received with the highest honors by the Spanish court. He led three more expeditions to the New World, making numerous discoveries, without ever realizing that the lands he explored were part of North and South America, continents unknown to 15th-century Europe.

1994

In Northern Ireland, the Combined Loyalist Military Command announces a 'ceasefire' in its terrorist activities.

1986

Queen Elizabeth II becomes the first British monarch to visit China.

1984

British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher escapes an assassination attempt when an IRA bomb explodes in the Grand Hotel, Brighton which is being used by delegates to the Conservative Party Conference. Five people are killed.

1982

In London, British armed forces hold a victory parade following the defeat of Argentina in the Falklands War.

1968

The official opening of the Olympic Games in Mexico.

1948

In Britain, the first Morris Minor family car is built at Cowley in Oxford.

1940

World War II: Adolf Hitler postpones indefinitely 'Operation Sealion' - the planned invasion of Britain.

1936

In Britain, the British Union of Fascists leader Oswald Mosley leads a controversial anti-Jewish march down the Mile End Road in London which is a predominently Jewish area of the capital).

1915

During World War I, English nurse Edith Cavell is executed as a spy by a German firing squad for helping captured British soldiers to escape from behind German lines.

1901

US President Theodore Roosevelt renames the Executive Mansion in Washington, 'The White House'.

1849

Charles Rowley patents the 'safety pin'.

1822

In South America, Dom Pedro is proclaimed Emperor of Brazil as the country formerly becomes independent of Portugal.

1609

In London, the publication of the first recorded secular (non-religious) song 'Three Blind Mice'.

1492

Explorer Christopher Columbus sights his first land after sailing west across more than 3,000 miles of the Atlantic Ocean. This 'New World' he calls San Salvador.

1935

Italian tenor Luciano Pavarotti is born in Modena. Gives up a career as a schoolteacher to concentrate on singing - and makes his operatic debut in 1961. Becomes an international star following several tours of Europe, Australia and the United States. Is a member of the 'Three Tenors' (along with Jose Carreras and Placido Domingo) whose joint performances help to popularize operatic singing in the 1980s and 1990s. As a soloist in 1990, Pavarotti records the aria 'Nessun Dorma' which becomes a worldwide hit after being chosen as the theme tune for the 1990 World Cup Finals in Italy.

1929

Scottish journalist and broadcaster Magnus Magnusson is born in Reykjavik,Iceland - although he raised in Edinburgh. Becomes one of the best-known writers and broadcasters of his era and a recognised expert on Scottish history, traditions and heritage. Chairman of the ancient Monuments Board of Scotland (1981-1989) and chairman of Scottish Natural Heritage (1992-1996). Claims his place in British television history by presenting the BBC TV quiz programme 'Mastermind' which runs for 25 years (1972-1997).

1872

English composer Ralph Vaughan Willliams is born in Gloucestershire. Becomes a prolific writer of symphonies, ballet and opera. Also writes several film scores including the music for 'The 49th Parallel' (1941) and 'Scott of the Antarctic' Dies in 1958.

1866

British politician Ramsey MacDonald is born in Morayshire, Scotland. Joins the Labour Party in 1894 and becomes leader 1911-1914 and 1922-1931. Is the first Labour Prime Minister of Britain ( for several months during 1924) and again between 1929-1931. Dies shortly after his retirement from politics in 1937.