Harvard College Is Founded
On October 28, 1636, Massachusetts voted to found a college that became Harvard, the first in the English colonies.
Thirteen German Families Found Germantown in Pennsylvania
Thirteen German families from Krefeld landed at Philadelphia on October 6, 1683, and founded Germantown.
The Stono Rebellion, Largest Slave Uprising in Colonial America
On September 9, 1739, the Stono Rebellion broke out near Charleston, the largest slave uprising in Britain's mainland American colonies.
College of New Jersey Is Chartered
The College of New Jersey, later Princeton University, was chartered on October 22, 1746. It became one of America's great universities.
Britain Adopts the Gregorian Calendar and Skips Eleven Days
On September 2, 1752, Britain skipped eleven days to adopt the Gregorian calendar, and September 3 to 13 of that year never happened.
Los Angeles Is Founded by Spanish Settlers
On September 4, 1781, forty-four settlers founded the pueblo of Los Angeles on the Porciuncula River under Spanish governor Felipe de Neve.
The Cornerstone of the White House Is Laid
The cornerstone of the White House was laid on October 13, 1792, and the building was first occupied by John Adams in 1800.
The First Oktoberfest Is Held in Munich
The first Oktoberfest was held in Munich on October 12, 1810, to celebrate the wedding of Crown Prince Ludwig of Bavaria.
The Metropolitan Police Begins Patrolling London
On September 29, 1829, the Metropolitan Police began patrolling London, the first professional police force of its kind.
The First Issue of The New York Times Is Published
On September 18, 1851, the first issue of the New-York Daily Times was published, founded by Henry Jarvis Raymond and George Jones.
The Mountain Meadows Massacre
On September 11, 1857, around 120 emigrants were killed at Mountain Meadows in Utah by Mormon militia and Paiute allies.
The Meiji Era Begins
On October 23, 1868, the reign name Meiji was adopted in Japan, beginning the era of rapid reform after the fall of the shogunate.
The Washington Monument Opens to the Public
The Washington Monument opened to the public on October 9, 1888, 36 years after construction began and four years after it was finished.
North Dakota and South Dakota Join the Union
On November 2, 1889, North Dakota and South Dakota became the 39th and 40th U.S. states.
Boston Subway Opens: First in North America
On September 1, 1897, Boston opened the Tremont Street Subway, the first subway tunnel in North America. It still carries trains today.
Haile Selassie Is Crowned Emperor of Ethiopia
On November 2, 1930, Haile Selassie was crowned emperor of Ethiopia in Addis Ababa.
Nazi Germany Enacts the Nuremberg Laws
On September 15, 1935, Nazi Germany enacted the Nuremberg Laws, stripping Jews of citizenship and banning mixed marriages.
The Food and Agriculture Organization Is Founded
On October 16, 1945, 42 countries signed the founding constitution of the Food and Agriculture Organization in Quebec City, Canada.
Federal Troops Escort Nine Black Students into Little Rock Central High
On September 25, 1957, federal troops escorted nine Black students into Little Rock Central High School against mobs and the state government.
The Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region Is Established
On October 25, 1958, the Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region was established in north west China, with Yinchuan as its capital.
Algerian Protesters Are Killed by Police in Paris
A peaceful Algerian march in Paris was put down by police on October 17, 1961, and hundreds are estimated to have died.
Rachel Carson's Silent Spring Is Published
On September 27, 1962, Rachel Carson published Silent Spring, which led to the ban on DDT and the modern environmental movement.
The Aberfan Disaster
A coal tip collapsed on Aberfan, Wales on October 21, 1966, killing 144 people, most of them children. The disaster was blamed on neglect.
Sweden Switches to Driving on the Right
On September 3, 1967, Sweden switched to right-hand traffic in one morning, moving 360,000 road signs in what is still called Dagen H.
Palestinian Gunmen Attack the Israeli Olympic Team in Munich
On September 5, 1972, Black September gunmen took Israeli athletes hostage at the Munich Olympics, ending in the deaths of all nine hostages.
Billie Jean King Beats Bobby Riggs in the Battle of the Sexes
On September 20, 1973, Billie Jean King beat Bobby Riggs in straight sets at the Houston Astrodome, before 50 million TV viewers.
The Thammasat University Massacre in Bangkok
Police and paramilitaries killed 46 students at Thammasat University in Bangkok on October 6, 1976, and the army took power.
China Decides to Restore the University Entrance Examination
On October 21, 1977, China announced the restoration of the national university entrance examination, which had been suspended since 1966.
Reagan Signs the Law Creating Martin Luther King Jr. Day
On November 2, 1983, Reagan signed the law creating the Martin Luther King Jr. federal holiday.
Project Hope Is Set Up
On October 30, 1989, Project Hope was announced in China, a public fund to pay the school costs of poor children in the countryside.
China Launches the First Beidou Satellite
On October 31, 2000, China launched the first satellite of the Beidou navigation system, its own satellite positioning service.
World Population Reaches Seven Billion
On October 31, 2011, the United Nations marked the world population reaching seven billion, twelve years after it passed six billion.
The Seventh Military World Games Open in Wuhan
On October 18, 2019, the seventh Military World Games opened in Wuhan, China, with more than 100 countries taking part.