“After a summer at the springs he resumed his duties at the college with somewhat of his old ardor; but on September 28 he had to preside at a vestry meeting in a damp, cold church and to go home late through the rain. With characteristic generosity he had promised to make up a deficit in the clergyman’s salary; and with equally characteristic piety he stood that evening at his tea table to say grace, when suddenly his voice failed him and he sank into a chair. For several days he lingered and almost seemed to improve; but on October 10 he grew worse, and at nine o’clock on the morning of the 12th he died.” On October 12, 1870 Robert E. Lee died in Lexington, Virginia. From: Robert E. Lee by William Peterfield Trent, published in 1907. Source says not in copyright Image: Gen. Robert E. Lee, C.S.A. c. 1860s via Library of Congress, no known restrictions

American inventor Elmer Ambrose Sperry was born on October 12, 1860 in Cincinnatus, New York. Sperry invented or improved numerous technologies including gyrocompasses that had a significant impact on ship navigation. Image Elmer Sperry via Wikimedia Commons, public domain

A nurse and little girl exchange smiles as the girl lies inside an iron lung to aid her breathing c. 1960s. On October 12, 1928 the Drinker and Shaw iron lung was first used to treat a patient as it helped a child recover from polio in Boston. Image via Wikimedia Commons, public domain

“I Honestly Love You” by Olivia Newton John held its position as the #1 song in America for a second week in a row on October 12, 1974. It was from her album “If You Love Me, Let Me Know.” Image of Olivia in 1974 via Wikimedia Commons, public domain

WWII U.S. Navy Hero Doris Miller was born on October 12, 1919 in Waco, Texas. Image: U.S. Navy Admiral Chester W. Nimitz pinning the Navy Cross on Doris Miller in Pearl Harbor, 1942 via Wikimedia Commons, public domain

Watching the dance at the Klukwan potlatch in Alaska October 12, 1898 via Wikimedia Commons, public domain

Conscientious objector and medic Desmond Doss being awarded the Medal of Honor by President Harry Truman – October 12, 1945 via Wikimedia Commons, public domain

On October 12, 1997 American singer-songwriter John Denver died when his light aircraft crashed near Pacific Grove, California. He was 53. Image of John Denver in 1973 via Wikimedia Commons, public domain