Births on October 12

Tom Van Mol, Belgian footballer

Tom Van Mol (born 12 October 1972) is a Belgian former professional footballer as a defender.

21 Feb

Sino-American relations
United States President Richard Nixon visits the People's Republic of China to normalize Sino-American relations.
8 May

Richard Nixon
Vietnam War: U.S. President Richard Nixon announces his order to place mines in major North Vietnamese ports in order to stem the flow of weapons and other goods to that nation.
22 May

Sri Lanka
Ceylon adopts a new constitution, becoming a Republic, changes its name to Sri Lanka, and joins the Commonwealth of Nations.
23 Jun

Central Intelligence Agency
Watergate scandal: U.S. President Richard M. Nixon and White House Chief of Staff H. R. Haldeman are taped talking about using the Central Intelligence Agency to obstruct the Federal Bureau of Investigation's investigation into the Watergate break-ins.
1 Sep

Bobby Fischer
In Reykjavík, Iceland, American Bobby Fischer beats Russian Boris Spassky to become the world chess champion.