Oct. 12 is Freethought Day. Freethinkers seek meaning through rationalization and science instead of religious beliefs.  Also referred to as humanist, freethinkers strive to live fulfilling, ethical lives without supernatural beliefs.  Secular Seasons describes Freethought Day as a “coming out” for freethinkers; it is a “day of celebration which gives those freethinkers who have been unable to proudly declare themselves a platform from which to do so.”  Famous freethinkers include Thomas Paine, Thomas Jefferson, Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Isaac Asimov.

1979 ‘Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy’

The first book in Douglas Adams’ “Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy” series is published.  The sci-fi series began as a radio show on BBC Radio 4 in 1978.

1984 IRA Bombing Targets Margaret Thatcher

British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher and her cabinet members were attending a conference in Brighton when a bomb exploded at their hotel.  Thatcher was unharmed, but four people were killed and more than two dozen injured.

1992 Ross Perot Gains Ground in Presidential Race

Independent candidate Ross Perot rose in the polls after presidential debate.

2000 USS Cole Attacked in Yemen

U.S. Navy battleship bombed by terrorists while refueling in Yemen.

2005 China’s Second Manned Space Mission

On Oct. 12, 2005, China launched Shenzhou 6, its second manned space flight.  Astronauts Fei Junlong and Nie Haisheng spent five days in orbit.

2007 Al Gore Wins Nobel Peace Prize

In the wake of “An Inconvenient Truth’s” success, Former U.S. Vice President Al Gore received the Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts to spread awareness of global climate change.  He shares the prize with a United Nations group promoting the same cause.

Famous Birthdays

1921 Art Clokey

1935 Luciano Pavarotti

1968 Hugh Jackman

1970 Kirk Cameron

1975 Marion Jones

1992 Josh Hutcherson

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