Top 5 Historical Events of October

Here are some more Historical Events of October you may enjoy: October 1 October 1, 1908 - Henry Ford's Model T, a "universal car" designed for the masses, went on sale for the first time. October 1, 1938 - Hitler's troops occupied the Sudetenland portion of Czechoslovakia. In an effort to avoid war, the leaders of Britain and France had agreed to cede the German-speaking area to Hitler, who later broke the agreement and occupied all of Czechoslovakia. October 1, 1946 - Twelve Nazi leaders were sentenced to death at the International War Crimes Tribunal in Nuremberg, Germany. October 1, 1949 - The People's Republic of China was founded with Mao Zedong as Chairman. October 1, 1979 - After 70 years of American control, the Panama Canal Zone was formally handed over to Panama. Birthday - Virtuoso pianist Vladimir Horowitz (1904-1989) was born in Berdichev, Russia. He made his American debut in 1928 with the New York Philharmonic and became a U.S. citizen in 1944. In 1986, after a self-imposed absence of 60 years, he performed a concert in his native Russia. October 2 October 2, 1935 - Mussolini's Italian troops invaded Abyssinia, beginning an occupation lasting until 1941. October 2, 1967 - Thurgood Marshall (1908-1993) was sworn in as the first African American associate justice of the U.S. Supreme Court. He served until 1991 and was known for opposing discrimination and the death penalty, and for championing free speech and civil liberties. October 2, 1968 - California's Redwood National Park was established. Redwoods are the tallest of all trees, growing up to 400 feet (120 meters) during a lifetime that can span 2,000 years. October 2, 1975 - Japanese Emperor Hirohito made his first-ever visit to the White House. Birthday - Indian political and spiritual leader Mohandas (Mahatma) Gandhi (1869-1948) was born in Porbandar, India. He achieved worldwide fame for his devout lifestyle and nonviolent resistance which ended British rule over India. He was assassinated by a religious fanatic in the garden of his home in New Delhi on January 30, 1948. Birthday - American statesman Cordell Hull (1871-1955) was born in Pickett County, Tennessee. He served in both houses of Congress, as Secretary of State, and was instrumental in the establishment of the United Nations. October 3 October 3, 1863 - President Abraham Lincoln issued a proclamation designating the last Thursday in November as Thanksgiving Day. October 3, 1929 - Yugoslavia became the official name of the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes. October 3, 1932 - Iraq gained independence from Britain and joined the League of Nations. October 3, 1974 - Frank Robinson was hired by the Cleveland Indians as baseball's first African American major league manager. October 3, 1990 - After 45 years of Cold War division, East and West Germany were reunited as the Federal Republic of Germany. October 4 October 4, 1582 - The Gregorian Calendar took effect in Catholic countries as Pope Gregory XIII issued a decree stating the day following Thursday, October 4, 1582, would be Friday, October 15, 1582, correcting a 10-day error accumulated by the Julian Calendar. Britain and the American colonies adopted the Gregorian Calendar in 1752. October 4, 1830 - Belgium gained its independence, after having been a part of the Netherlands since 1815. October 4, 1943 - The Island of Corsica became the first French territory in Europe freed from Nazi control as Free French troops liberated the city of Bastia. October 4, 1957 - The Space Age began as the Russians launched the first satellite into orbit. Sputnik I weighed just 184 lbs. and transmitted a beeping radio signal for 21 days. The remarkable accomplishment by Soviet Russia sent a shockwave through the American political leadership resulting in U.S. efforts to be the first on the moon. October 4, 1965 - Pope Paul VI became the first Pope to visit the U.S. and the first to address the United Nations. October 4, 1993 - Russian tank-soldiers loyal to President Boris Yeltsin shelled the Russian White House, crushing a hard-line Communist rebellion. Yeltsin then fired Vice-president Alexander Rutskoi and jailed other opposition leaders. Birthday - St. Francis of Assisi (1181-1226) was born in Assisi, Umbria, Italy (as Giovanni Francesco Bernardone). He renounced his family's wealth and founded the Friars Minor (Franciscan Order). Birthday - Rutherford B. Hayes (1822-1893) the 19th U.S. President was born in Delaware, Ohio. He served from March 4, 1877 to March 3, 1881. He was a Republican best known for his much-quoted statement, "He serves his party best who serves his country best." Birthday - Artist Frederic Remington (1861-1909) was born in Canton, New York. He studied at Yale Art School then traveled extensively throughout the American West in the late 1800s sketching cowboys, Native Americans, frontiersmen, and soldiers. He also created lively sculptures featuring bucking broncos. October 5 Return to Top of Page October 5, 1813 - Shawnee Indian Chief Tecumseh was defeated and killed during the War of 1812. Regarded as one of the greatest American Indians, he was a powerful orator who defended his people against white settlement. When the War of 1812 broke out, he joined the British as a brigadier general and was killed at the Battle of the Thames in Ontario. October 5, 1877 - Following a 1,700-mile retreat, Chief Joseph of the Nez Perce Indians surrendered to U.S. Cavalry troops at Bear's Paw near Chinook, Montana. "From where the sun now stands, I will fight no more forever," he declared. October 5, 1908 - Bulgaria proclaimed its independence from the Ottoman Empire. October 5, 1910 - Portugal became a republic following a successful revolt against King Manuel II. October 5, 1938 - Czech President Dr. Eduard Benes resigned and fled abroad amid threats from Adolf Hitler. October 5, 1964 - The largest mass escape since the construction of the Berlin Wall occurred as 57 East German refugees escaped to West Berlin after tunneling beneath the wall. October 28, 1922 - Fascist blackshirts began their "March on Rome" from Naples which resulted in the October 31, 1984 - Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi was assassinated by three Sikh members of her bodyguard while walking in the garden of her New Delhi home.