At A Glance

12 October 1942 at a glance

Day of the week
12 October 1942 was a Monday.
Top Film of 1942
The highest-grossing film worldwide released in 1942 was Bambi.
Bestselling Novel of 1942
“The Song of Bernadette” by Franz Werfel was No. 1 on Publishers Weekly's US fiction list for 1942.
Star sign
The star sign for 12 October is Libra.
Chinese zodiac
In the Chinese zodiac, 12 October 1942 fell in the Year of the Horse.
Birthstone
The birthstone for October is Opal.
Moon phase
The moon phase on 12 October 1942 was Waxing Crescent.

On this day: 12 October

  • 1928 An iron lung respirator is used for the first time at Boston Children's Hospital.
  • 1933 The military Alcatraz Citadel becomes the civilian Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary.
  • 1944 World War II: The Axis occupation of Athens comes to an end.
  • 1945 World War II: Desmond Doss is the first conscientious objector to receive the U.S. Medal of Honor.
  • 1945 The Lao Issara took control of Laos' government and reaffirmed the country's independence.

Famous people born on October 12

  • Hugh Jackman, Australian actor, singer, and producer (born 1968)
  • Edward VI, king of England (1537–1553)
  • Doris Miller, American cook and soldier (1919–1943)
  • Josh Hutcherson, American actor and producer (born 1992)

Source: Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Choose your country: the charts, news and leaders change to match.

Events of 1942 in the United States

A selection from Wikipedia's '1942 in the United States'. Not a complete list.

  • February 2 – WWII: President Franklin D. Roosevelt signs an executive order directing the internment of Italian, German, and Japanese Americans and orders the seizure of their properties.
  • March 27 – Capitol Records, the first record label on the United States' West Coast of note, is founded by Jonny Mercer, Buddy DeSylvia, and Glenn E. Wallichis.
  • June 4–7 – WWII: Battle of Midway – The United States Navy defeats an Imperial Japanese Navy attack against Midway Atoll.

Life in the US in 1942

President

Franklin D. Roosevelt

Gas (per gallon)

$0.20

Loaf of Bread

$0.09

Average House

$3,200

Weekly Wage

$31

Or

Browse by Year

Famous Faces Born in the 1940s

Well-known people born in the same decade as you, not on your birthday.

Sources: Wikidata and Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0)

About The Day You Were Born

Ever wondered what was happening in the world when you took your first breath? Our birthday lookup tool reveals the fascinating history of your special day.

About The Birthday Chronicle and where our data comes from →