1. Columbus Day: Although not unique to Georgia, October 12 marks Columbus Day, which commemorates the arrival of Christopher Columbus to the Americas in 1492. In Georgia, Columbus Day is recognized as a state holiday.

2. Georgia Day: October 12 is also recognized as Georgia Day in commemoration of the founding of the colony of Georgia on this day in 1732. James Edward Oglethorpe led the first settlers to the area, seeking to establish a colony as a haven for debtors and the poor.

3. Martin Luther King Jr. in Georgia: In 1960, Martin Luther King Jr. and dozens of other civil rights activists, including John Lewis, were arrested and jailed in Atlanta for participating in a sit-in protest at a segregated lunch counter. The protest marked a pivotal moment in the civil rights movement in Georgia and throughout the country.

4. The Atlanta Braves: On October 12, 1991, the Atlanta Braves clinched the National League pennant, advancing to the World Series for the first time since 1958. Led by future Hall of Famers Greg Maddux, Tom Glavine, and John Smoltz, the Braves went on to win the World Series.

5. The Georgia Aquarium: On October 12, 2005, the Georgia Aquarium opened to the public in downtown Atlanta. At the time of its opening, it was the largest aquarium in the world and still remains one of the most popular tourist destinations in Georgia, housing thousands of animals across hundreds of species.