On this day, October 12 - Know what happened today in history

On October 12, history witnessed key events, from Douglas Adams’ beloved sci-fi novel hitting bookstores to Khrushchev’s famous UN outburst. This day also marked pivotal moments in space exploration and the independence of Equatorial Guinea.

1979: Douglas Adams’ Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy Hits Bookstores

A beloved classic in the world of science fiction, The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy made its way to bookshelves for the first time in 1979. Initially conceived as a radio show for BBC Radio 4 in 1978, the novel is the first in a “trilogy of five.” It follows the interstellar adventures of Arthur Dent, an Earthling who escapes the planet's destruction and encounters a host of quirky characters, including the alien Ford Prefect, the melancholic robot Marvin, and the bureaucratic Vogons.

1968: Equatorial Guinea Gains Independence

After being part of the Spanish Empire since the late 1700s, Equatorial Guinea declared its independence in 1968. Formerly known as Spanish Guinea, the nation changed its name and established Francisco Macías Nguema as its president. Four years later, in 1972, Nguema declared himself president for life, marking the beginning of his rule.

1964: First Multi-Person Space Flight

The Soviet Union achieved a milestone in space exploration with the launch of Voskhod 1. For the first time, a spacecraft carried three cosmonauts into orbit simultaneously. In addition to this groundbreaking achievement, none of the crew members wore spacesuits during the flight, marking a bold step in space exploration history.

1960: Khrushchev's Shoe-Pounding Incident

One of the most infamous moments in UN history took place on this day in 1960 when Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev pounded his shoe on the table during a UN General Assembly session. The dramatic gesture was reportedly in response to remarks made by Filipino delegate Lorenzo Sumulong, who criticised the Soviet Union’s policies in Eastern Europe.

1492: Christopher Columbus Lands in the New World

After two months at sea, Christopher Columbus made landfall on what is now known as the Bahamas, mistakenly believing he had reached Japan. Sailing under the Spanish flag with three ships—the Santa María, Pinta, and Santa Clara—Columbus claimed the newly discovered lands for Spain, setting the stage for centuries of exploration and colonisation in the Americas.