Vintage News · Odd history for October 31

What Happened On October 31

Q: What happened on October 31?

475: Romulus Augustulus took the throne as the last emperor of the Western Roman Empire. 1996: TG4, the world's first Irish language television station, began broadcasting. 1984: Indian prime minister Indira Gandhi was assassinated by two of her own Sikh bodyguards, sparking riots that killed thousands of Sikhs. 1973: Three Provisional Irish Republican Army members escaped from Mountjoy Prison in Dublin aboard a hijacked helicopter that landed in the prison's exercise yard. 1941: 100 crew members of the USS Reuben James (pictured) perished when their vessel became the first U.S. Navy ship sunk by hostile action during World War II after it was torpedoed by the German submarine U-552. 1917: World War I: Allied forces defeated Turkish troops in Beersheba in Southern Palestine at the Battle of Beersheba, with the battle involving one of the last successful cavalry charges. 2014: During a test flight, the VSS Enterprise, a Virgin Galactic experimental spaceflight test vehicle, suffers a catastrophic in-flight breakup and crashes in the Mojave Desert, California. 2000: Soyuz TM-31 launches, carrying the first resident crew to the International Space Station. The ISS has been crewed continuously since then. 1973: Three Provisional Irish Republican Army members escape from Mountjoy Prison, Dublin aboard a hijacked helicopter that landed in the exercise yard. 1956: Hungarian Revolution of 1956: A Revolutionary Headquarters is established in Hungary. Following Imre Nagy's announcement of October 30, banned non-Communist political parties are reformed, and the MDP is replaced by the MSZMP. József Mindszenty is released from prison. The Soviet Politburo makes the decision to crush the Revolution.

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10 odd things that happened on October 31

475 Oddly true
Romulus Augustulus took the throne as the last emperor of the Western Roman Empire.
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Source: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0
1996 First ever
TG4, the world's first Irish language television station, began broadcasting.
Read more →
Source: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0
1984 Oddly true
Indian prime minister Indira Gandhi was assassinated by two of her own Sikh bodyguards, sparking riots that killed thousands of Sikhs.
Read more →
Source: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0
1973 Oddly true
Three Provisional Irish Republican Army members escaped from Mountjoy Prison in Dublin aboard a hijacked helicopter that landed in the prison's exercise yard.
Read more →
Source: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0
1941 First ever
100 crew members of the USS Reuben James (pictured) perished when their vessel became the first U.S. Navy ship sunk by hostile action during World War II after it was torpedoed by the German submarine U-552.
Read more →
Source: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0
1917 Oddly true
World War I: Allied forces defeated Turkish troops in Beersheba in Southern Palestine at the Battle of Beersheba, with the battle involving one of the last successful cavalry charges.
Read more →
Source: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0
2014 Oddly true
During a test flight, the VSS Enterprise, a Virgin Galactic experimental spaceflight test vehicle, suffers a catastrophic in-flight breakup and crashes in the Mojave Desert, California.
Read more →
Source: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0
2000 First ever
Soyuz TM-31 launches, carrying the first resident crew to the International Space Station. The ISS has been crewed continuously since then.
Read more →
Source: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0
1973 Oddly true
Three Provisional Irish Republican Army members escape from Mountjoy Prison, Dublin aboard a hijacked helicopter that landed in the exercise yard.
Read more →
Source: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0
1956 Oddly true
Hungarian Revolution of 1956: A Revolutionary Headquarters is established in Hungary. Following Imre Nagy's announcement of October 30, banned non-Communist political parties are reformed, and the MDP is replaced by the MSZMP. József Mindszenty is released from prison. The Soviet Politburo makes the decision to crush the Revolution.
Read more →
Source: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0

Observed today

2020Berlin Brandenburg Airport opens its doors after nearly 10 years of delays due to construction issues and project corruption. Wikipedia →
2017A truck drives into a crowd in Lower Manhattan, New York City, killing eight people. Wikipedia →
2015Metrojet Flight 9268 is bombed over the northern Sinai Peninsula, killing all 224 people on board. Wikipedia →
2014During a test flight, the VSS Enterprise, a Virgin Galactic experimental spaceflight test vehicle, suffers a catastrophic in-flight breakup and crashes in the Mojave Desert, California. Wikipedia →
2011The global population of humans reaches seven billion. This day is now recognized by the United Nations as the Day of Seven Billion. Wikipedia →
2003Mahathir Mohamad resigns as Prime Minister of Malaysia and is replaced by Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, marking an end to Mahathir's 22 years in power. Wikipedia →
2002A federal grand jury in Houston, Texas indicts former Enron chief financial officer Andrew Fastow on 78 counts of wire fraud, money laundering, conspiracy and obstruction of justice related to the collapse of his ex-employer. Wikipedia →
2000Soyuz TM-31 launches, carrying the first resident crew to the International Space Station. The ISS has been crewed continuously since then. Wikipedia →
2000Singapore Airlines Flight 006 crashes on takeoff from Taipei, killing 83. Wikipedia →
1999Yachtsman Jesse Martin returns to Melbourne after 11 months of circumnavigating the world, solo, non-stop and unassisted. Wikipedia →
1999EgyptAir Flight 990 crashes into the Atlantic Ocean near Nantucket, killing all 217 people on board. Wikipedia →
1998Iraq disarmament crisis begins: Iraq announces it would no longer cooperate with United Nations weapons inspectors. Wikipedia →
1996TAM Transportes Aéreos Regionais Flight 402 crashes in São Paulo, Brazil, killing 99 people. Wikipedia →
1994American Eagle Flight 4184 crashes near Roselawn, Indiana killing all 68 people on board. Wikipedia →
1984Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi is assassinated by two Sikh security guards. Riots break out in New Delhi and other cities and around 3,000 Sikhs are killed. Wikipedia →
1979Western Airlines Flight 2605 crashes on landing in Mexico City, killing 73 people. Wikipedia →
1973Three Provisional Irish Republican Army members escape from Mountjoy Prison, Dublin aboard a hijacked helicopter that landed in the exercise yard. Wikipedia →
1968Vietnam War October surprise: Citing progress with the Paris peace talks, US President Lyndon B. Johnson announces to the nation that he has ordered a complete cessation of "all air, naval, and artillery bombardment of North Vietnam" effective November 1. Wikipedia →
1968Great Drought of 1968: Amidst a collapse of hydropower President of Chile Eduardo Frei Montalva decrees the establishment of daylight saving time. Wikipedia →
1963Indiana State Fairgrounds Coliseum gas explosion: A gas explosion at the Indiana State Fairgrounds Coliseum in Indianapolis kills 81 people and injures another 400 during an ice show. Wikipedia →
1961In the Soviet Union, Joseph Stalin's body is removed from Lenin's Mausoleum, and is buried near the Kremlin Wall under a plain white marker. Wikipedia →
1956Suez Crisis: The United Kingdom and France begin bombing Egypt to force the reopening of the Suez Canal. Wikipedia →
1956Hungarian Revolution of 1956: A Revolutionary Headquarters is established in Hungary. Following Imre Nagy's announcement of October 30, banned non-Communist political parties are reformed, and the MDP is replaced by the MSZMP. József Mindszenty is released from prison. The Soviet Politburo makes the decision to crush the Revolution. Wikipedia →
1943World War II: An F4U Corsair accomplishes the first successful radar-guided interception by a United States Navy or Marine Corps aircraft. Wikipedia →
1941After 14 years of work, Mount Rushmore is completed. Wikipedia →
1941World War II: The destroyer USS Reuben James is torpedoed by a German U-boat near Iceland, killing more than 100 U.S. Navy sailors. It is the first U.S. Navy vessel sunk by enemy action in WWII. Wikipedia →
1940World War II: The Battle of Britain ends, causing Germany to abandon Operation Sea Lion. Wikipedia →
1938Great Depression: In an effort to restore investor confidence, the New York Stock Exchange unveils a fifteen-point program aimed to upgrade protection for the investing public. Wikipedia →
1924World Savings Day is announced in Milan, Italy by the Members of the Association at the 1st International Savings Bank Congress (World Society of Savings Banks). Wikipedia →
1923The first of 160 consecutive days of 100° Fahrenheit at Marble Bar, Western Australia. Wikipedia →
1922Benito Mussolini is made Prime Minister of Italy. Wikipedia →
1918World War I: The Aster Revolution terminates the Austro-Hungarian Compromise of 1867, and Hungary achieves full sovereignty. Wikipedia →
1917World War I: Battle of Beersheba: The "last successful cavalry charge in history". Wikipedia →
1913Dedication of the Lincoln Highway, the first automobile highway across United States. Wikipedia →
1913The Indianapolis Streetcar Strike and subsequent riot begins. Wikipedia →
1907The Parliament of Finland approved the Prohibition Act, but the law was not implemented because it was not ratified by Tsar Nicholas II of Russia. Wikipedia →
1903The Purdue Wreck, a railroad train collision in Indianapolis, kills 17 people, including 14 players of the Purdue University football team. Wikipedia →
1895The strongest earthquake in the Midwestern United States since 1812 strikes near Charleston, Missouri, causing damage and killing at least two. Wikipedia →
1864Nevada is admitted as the 36th U.S. state. Wikipedia →
1863The New Zealand Wars resume as British forces in New Zealand led by General Duncan Cameron begin their Invasion of the Waikato. Wikipedia →
1837Approximately 300 Muscogee die in the steamboat Monmouth disaster on the Trail of Tears in the United States. Wikipedia →
1822Emperor Agustín de Iturbide attempts to dissolve the Congress of the Mexican Empire. Wikipedia →
1587Leiden University Library opens its doors after its founding in 1575. Wikipedia →
1517Protestant Reformation: Martin Luther posts his 95 Theses on the door of the Castle Church in Wittenberg. Wikipedia →
932Abbasid caliph al-Muqtadir is killed while fighting against the forces of general Mu'nis al-Muzaffar. Al-Muqtadir's brother al-Qahir is chosen to succeed him. Wikipedia →
802Empress Irene is deposed and banished to Lesbos. Conspirators place Nikephoros, the minister of finance, on the Byzantine throne. Wikipedia →
683During the Siege of Mecca, the Kaaba catches fire and is burned down. Wikipedia →
475Romulus Augustulus is proclaimed Western Roman Emperor. Wikipedia →

From The Guardian Archives — On This Day

2023The Guardian
Catholic church loses landmark case over tactics that shield it from Australian abuse claims
Guardian investigation found the church routinely uses deaths of paedophile priests to avoid paying or to reduce amou…
Read on The Guardian →
2019The Guardian
Qantas 737 cracks: airline pulls three Boeing planes from service
Aircraft grounded after hairline cracks found between wing and fuselage
Read on The Guardian →
1948The New York Times
Voorhees of Paterson East Side Leader in Cross-Country Event
Tom Voorhees of Paterson, N.J., East Side High, notched his second individual triumph of the season in interscholasti…
Read on NYTimes.com →

Headlines via The Guardian Open Platform · Historic front pages via the NYT Archive API

Facts from Wikipedia On This Day API (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Wikimedia. Thumbnails CC BY-SA. Headlines via The Guardian Open Platform and the NYT Archive API. Historic pages via Library of Congress Chronicling America. Curated by OddlyTrue.