1. In 1895, the first international automobile race in the United States was held in Hartford. The race featured vehicles from France and the United States, and was won by American driver J. Frank Duryea.

2. The Hartford Circus Fire occurred on October 12, 1944. The tragic event resulted in the deaths of 168 people and hundreds of injuries. The fire led to new safety regulations for public events, including a ban on flammable materials under circus tents.

3. On October 12, 1922, the University of Connecticut was established as the State College for Agriculture and the Mechanic Arts. The university has since grown to become a leading public research institution, with campuses throughout the state.

4. In 1797, the first public library in the United States was established in Litchfield, Connecticut. The library was opened by a group of female volunteers, and featured a collection of books donated by local residents.

5. October 12, 1979 marked the day that ESPN began broadcasting from Bristol, Connecticut. The network, which was founded by Connecticut resident Bill Rasmussen, has since grown to become a major player in the world of sports broadcasting, with a global audience of over 100 million viewers.