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On This Day in History — October 31
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Highlights of October 31
- 2017 — An Uzbek immigrant drove a rented truck into cyclists and runners in Lower Manhattan, New York City, killing eight people. Read more
- 2005 — The discovery of the Plutonian moons Nix and Hydra, based on photographs taken by the Hubble Space Telescope nearly five months prior, was announced. Read more
- 2003 — After 22 years in power, Mahathir Mohamad retired as Prime Minister of Malaysia. Read more
- 2000 — Singapore Airlines Flight 006 collided with construction equipment while attempting to take off from Chiang Kai-shek International Airport in Taiwan during heavy rain, killing 83 people aboard. Read more
- 1999 — All 217 people on board EgyptAir Flight 990 perished when the aircraft suddenly crashed into the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Nantucket, Massachusetts. Read more
- 1999 — Australian sailor Jesse Martin arrived in Melbourne, becoming the youngest person to circumnavigate the globe solo, non-stop, and unassisted. Read more
- 1996 — TG4, the world's first Irish language television station, began broadcasting. Read more
- 1984 — Indian prime minister Indira Gandhi was assassinated by two of her own Sikh bodyguards, sparking riots that killed thousands of Sikhs. Read more
- 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. Read more
- 1963 — A gas explosion at the Read more
- 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. Read more
- 1941 — Approximately 400 workers completed the 60-foot (18 m) busts of U.S. presidents George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln at Mount Rushmore in South Dakota. Read more
- 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. Read more
- 1913 — Public-transportation workers in Indianapolis went on strike (pictured), shutting down mass transit in the city. Read more
- 1517 — Martin Luther (pictured) posted his Ninety-five Theses onto the door of All Saints' Church in Wittenberg, marking the beginning of the Protestant Reformation. Read more
- 475 — Romulus Augustulus took the throne as the last emperor of the Western Roman Empire. Read more
Events
- 2020 — Berlin Brandenburg Airport opens its doors after nearly 10 years of delays due to construction issues and project corruption. Read more
- 2017 — A truck drives into a crowd in Lower Manhattan, New York City, killing eight people. Read more
- 2015 — Metrojet Flight 9268 is bombed over the northern Sinai Peninsula, killing all 224 people on board. Read more
- 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. Read more
- 2011 — The global population of humans reaches seven billion. This day is now recognized by the United Nations as the Day of Seven Billion. Read more
- 2003 — Mahathir 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. Read more
- 2002 — A 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. Read more
- 2000 — Soyuz TM-31 launches, carrying the first resident crew to the International Space Station. The ISS has been crewed continuously since then. Read more
- 2000 — Singapore Airlines Flight 006 crashes on takeoff from Taipei, killing 83. Read more
- 1999 — Yachtsman Jesse Martin returns to Melbourne after 11 months of circumnavigating the world, solo, non-stop and unassisted. Read more
- 1999 — EgyptAir Flight 990 crashes into the Atlantic Ocean near Nantucket, killing all 217 people on board. Read more
- 1998 — Iraq disarmament crisis begins: Iraq announces it would no longer cooperate with United Nations weapons inspectors. Read more
- 1996 — TAM Transportes Aéreos Regionais Flight 402 crashes in São Paulo, Brazil, killing 99 people. Read more
- 1994 — American Eagle Flight 4184 crashes near Roselawn, Indiana killing all 68 people on board. Read more
- 1984 — Indian 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. Read more
- 1979 — Western Airlines Flight 2605 crashes on landing in Mexico City, killing 73 people. Read more
- 1973 — Three Provisional Irish Republican Army members escape from Mountjoy Prison, Dublin aboard a hijacked helicopter that landed in the exercise yard. Read more
- 1968 — Vietnam 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. Read more
- 1968 — Great Drought of 1968: Amidst a collapse of hydropower President of Chile Eduardo Frei Montalva decrees the establishment of daylight saving time. Read more
- 1963 — Indiana 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. Read more
- 1961 — In 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. Read more
- 1956 — Suez Crisis: The United Kingdom and France begin bombing Egypt to force the reopening of the Suez Canal. Read more
- 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. Read more
- 1943 — World War II: An F4U Corsair accomplishes the first successful radar-guided interception by a United States Navy or Marine Corps aircraft. Read more
- 1941 — After 14 years of work, Mount Rushmore is completed. Read more
- 1941 — World 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. Read more
- 1940 — World War II: The Battle of Britain ends, causing Germany to abandon Operation Sea Lion. Read more
- 1938 — Great 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. Read more
- 1924 — World 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). Read more
- 1923 — The first of 160 consecutive days of 100° Fahrenheit at Marble Bar, Western Australia. Read more
- 1922 — Benito Mussolini is made Prime Minister of Italy. Read more
- 1918 — World War I: The Aster Revolution terminates the Austro-Hungarian Compromise of 1867, and Hungary achieves full sovereignty. Read more
- 1917 — World War I: Battle of Beersheba: The "last successful cavalry charge in history". Read more
- 1913 — Dedication of the Lincoln Highway, the first automobile highway across United States. Read more
- 1913 — The Indianapolis Streetcar Strike and subsequent riot begins. Read more
- 1907 — The Parliament of Finland approved the Prohibition Act, but the law was not implemented because it was not ratified by Tsar Nicholas II of Russia. Read more
- 1903 — The Purdue Wreck, a railroad train collision in Indianapolis, kills 17 people, including 14 players of the Purdue University football team. Read more
- 1895 — The strongest earthquake in the Midwestern United States since 1812 strikes near Charleston, Missouri, causing damage and killing at least two. Read more
- 1864 — Nevada is admitted as the 36th U.S. state. Read more
- 1863 — The New Zealand Wars resume as British forces in New Zealand led by General Duncan Cameron begin their Invasion of the Waikato. Read more
- 1837 — Approximately 300 Muscogee die in the steamboat Monmouth disaster on the Trail of Tears in the United States. Read more
- 1822 — Emperor Agustín de Iturbide attempts to dissolve the Congress of the Mexican Empire. Read more
- 1702 — Anglo-Dutch forces, under the Duke of Marlborough and Earl of Athlone, capture Liège during the War of the Spanish Succession. Read more
- 1587 — Leiden University Library opens its doors after its founding in 1575. Read more
- 1517 — Protestant Reformation: Martin Luther posts his 95 Theses on the door of the Castle Church in Wittenberg. Read more
- 932 — Abbasid 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. Read more
- 802 — Empress Irene is deposed and banished to Lesbos. Conspirators place Nikephoros, the minister of finance, on the Byzantine throne. Read more
- 683 — During the Siege of Mecca, the Kaaba catches fire and is burned down. Read more
- 475 — Romulus Augustulus is proclaimed Western Roman Emperor. Read more
Born on October 31
- 2005 — Leonor, Princess of Asturias Read more
- 2002 — Ansu Fati Read more
- 2000 — Willow Smith, American singer, actress, and dancer Read more
- 1999 — Danielle Rose Russell, American actress Read more
- 1999 — Léa Serna, French figure skater Read more
- 1997 — Siobhán Bernadette Haughey, Hong Kong-Irish swimmer Read more
- 1997 — Sydney Park, American actress and comedian Read more
- 1997 — Marcus Rashford, English footballer Read more
- 1997 — Holly Taylor, Canadian-American actress Read more
- 1995 — Joana Valle Costa, Portuguese tennis player Read more
- 1993 — Mercedes Arn-Horn, Canadian musician Read more
- 1993 — Nadine Lustre, Filipino actress and singer Read more
- 1993 — Letitia Wright, Guyanese-British actress Read more
- 1992 — Vanessa Marano, American actress Read more
- 1990 — JID, American rapper Read more
- 1989 — Scott McGough, American baseball player Read more
- 1988 — Cole Aldrich, American basketball player Read more
- 1988 — Sébastien Buemi, Swiss race car driver Read more
- 1988 — Jack Riewoldt, Australian footballer Read more
- 1988 — Lizzy Yarnold, British skeleton racer Read more
- 1987 — Nick Foligno, Canadian ice hockey player Read more
- 1987 — Jean-Karl Vernay, French race car driver Read more
- 1986 — Chris Alajajian, Australian race car driver Read more
- 1986 — Christie Hayes, Australian actress and producer Read more
- 1985 — Fanny Chmelar, German alpine skier Read more
- 1985 — Kerron Clement, American hurdler and sprinter Read more
- 1984 — Pat Murray, American football player Read more
- 1984 — Amanda Pascoe, Australian swimmer Read more
- 1983 — Adam Bouska, American photographer and activist, founded the NOH8 Campaign Read more
- 1982 — Jordan Bannister, Australian footballer and umpire Read more
- 1982 — Justin Chatwin, Canadian actor Read more
- 1982 — Tomáš Plekanec, Czech ice hockey player Read more
- 1981 — Irina Denezhkina, Russian author Read more
- 1981 — Steven Hunter, American basketball player Read more
- 1981 — Frank Iero, American singer-songwriter and guitarist Read more
- 1981 — Selina Jen, Taiwanese singer and actress Read more
- 1981 — Mike Napoli, American baseball player Read more
- 1980 — Samaire Armstrong, American model, actress, and fashion designer Read more
- 1980 — Alondra de la Parra, Mexican-American pianist and conductor Read more
- 1980 — Marcel Meeuwis, Dutch footballer Read more
Died on October 31
- 2023 — Ken Mattingly, American astronaut (born 1936) Read more
- 2021 — Peter Philpott, Australian cricketer (born 1934) Read more
- 2020 — Sean Connery, Scottish actor (born 1930) Read more
- 2020 — MF Doom, British-American rapper and record producer (born 1971) Read more
- 2018 — Willie McCovey, American baseball player (born 1938) Read more
- 2015 — Gus Savage, American businessman and politician (born 1925) Read more
- 2014 — David Manker Abshire, American commander and diplomat, United States Permanent Representative to NATO (born 1926) Read more
- 2014 — Michael Alsbury, American engineer and pilot (born 1975) Read more
- 2014 — Brad Halsey, American baseball player (born 1981) Read more
- 2014 — Hitoshi Motoshima, Japanese educator and politician (born 1922) Read more
- 2013 — Chris Chase (aka Irene Kane), American actress and author (born 1924) Read more
- 2013 — Gérard de Villiers, French journalist and author (born 1929) Read more
- 2013 — Trevor Kletz, English chemist and author (born 1922) Read more
- 2013 — Johnny Kucks, American baseball player (born 1933) Read more
- 2013 — Andres Narvasa, Filipino lawyer and jurist, 19th Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the Philippines (born 1928) Read more
- 2013 — Bobby Parker, American singer-songwriter and guitarist (born 1937) Read more
- 2012 — Gae Aulenti, Italian architect and designer (born 1927) Read more
- 2012 — John Fitch, American race car driver and engineer (born 1917) Read more
- 2012 — John H. Reed, American soldier and politician, 67th Governor of Maine (born 1921) Read more
- 2011 — Flórián Albert, Hungarian footballer and manager (born 1941) Read more
- 2011 — Roberto Lippi, Italian race car driver (born 1926) Read more
- 2010 — Ted Sorensen, American lawyer, 8th White House Counsel (born 1928) Read more
- 2009 — Mustafa Mahmud, Egyptian physician and author (born 1921) Read more
- 2009 — Tom Wheatcroft, English businessman, founded the Donington Grand Prix Exhibition (born 1922) Read more
- 2009 — Qian Xuesen, Chinese aerodynamicist and academic (born 1911) Read more
- 2008 — Studs Terkel, American historian and author (born 1912) Read more
- 2007 — Erdal İnönü, Turkish physicist and politician, Prime Minister of Turkey (born 1926) Read more
- 2006 — P. W. Botha, South African soldier and politician, State President of South Africa (born 1916) Read more
- 2006 — Peter Fryer, English journalist and author (born 1927) Read more
- 2005 — Hal Anger, American biophysicist and engineer (born 1920) Read more
- 2005 — Amrita Pritam, Indian author and poet (born 1919) Read more
- 2003 — Richard Neustadt, American political scientist and historian (born 1919) Read more
- 2002 — Lionel Poilâne, French banker and businessman (born 1945) Read more
- 2002 — Michail Stasinopoulos, Greek jurist and politician, President of Greece (born 1903) Read more
- 2002 — Raf Vallone, Italian footballer and actor (born 1916) Read more
- 2001 — Régine Cavagnoud, French skier (born 1970) Read more
- 2000 — Ring Lardner, Jr., American journalist and screenwriter (born 1915) Read more
- 2000 — Kazuki Watanabe, Japanese songwriter and guitarist (born 1981) Read more
- 1999 — Greg Moore, Canadian race car driver (born 1975) Read more
- 1998 — Elmer Vasko, Canadian ice hockey player (born 1935) Read more
Holidays & observances
Christian feast day:
Alphonsus Rodriguez; Christian feast day:
Ampliatus; Christian feast day:
Begu; Christian feast day:
Erc of Slane (in Cornwall); Christian feast day:
Foillan (in Namur); Christian feast day:
Martin Luther (Anglican Communion); Christian feast day:
Paul Shinji Sasaki and Philip Lindel Tsen (Episcopal Church); Christian feast day:
Quentin; Christian feast day:
Blessed Theodore Romzha (Ruthenian Catholic Church); Christian feast day:
Wolfgang of Regensburg; Christian feast day:
October 31 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics); Día de la Canción Criolla (Peru); Earliest day on which All Saints Day can fall, while November 6 is the latest; celebrated on Saturday between October 31 and November 6 (Finland, Sweden); Halloween and related celebrations:
Allantide (Cornwall); Halloween and related celebrations:
Halloween (Ireland, Canada, United Kingdom, United States and other places); Halloween and related celebrations:
Hop-tu-Naa (Isle of Man); Halloween and related celebrations:
Samhain in the Northern Hemisphere, Beltane in the Southern Hemisphere; begins on sunset of October 31 (Gaels, Welsh people and Neopagan Wheel of the Year); Halloween and related celebrations:
The first day of the Day of the Dead, celebrated until November 2 (Mexico); Girl Scouts Founders Day (United States); King Father's Birthday (Cambodia); National Unity Day (India); Reformation Day (Slovenia, parts of Germany, Chile, various Protestant churches with a particular emphasis in Lutheran and Reformed ones)
Events, births and deaths from Wikipedia contributors, “October 31”, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Lists are selections; the full record lives at the source.