1. Juan Ponce de León's arrival in Florida: On October 12, 1492, Spanish Explorer Juan Ponce de León landed on the east coast of Florida, near present-day St. Augustine. He named the area "La Florida" because of its lush, verdant landscape.

2. Hurricane Michael: On October 12, 2018, Hurricane Michael made landfall in Florida's panhandle, causing widespread devastation and leaving a trail of destruction in its wake. The Category 5 storm caused significant damage to infrastructure, homes, and businesses, and was responsible for over 50 deaths.

3. Florida's Admission to the Union: On October 12, 1845, Florida was admitted to the United States as the 27th state, nearly two decades after it became a territory of the U.S. in 1821. The state has since become a popular destination for tourists, retirees, and snowbirds.

4. Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings Wins Pulitzer Prize: On October 12, 1939, Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings, a Florida-based author, won the Pulitzer Prize for literature for her novel "The Yearling." The novel, set in the North Central Florida wilderness and focused on a boy's coming-of-age, went on to become a classic of American literature.

5. Columbus Day: While not directly related to Florida history, October 12 is also celebrated as Columbus Day in the United States, commemorating Christopher Columbus' arrival in the Americas in 1492. Although the holiday is controversial due to Columbus' treatment of Native Americans, many communities still observe the day with parades, festivals, and other events.