Amsterdam Receives Its First Rights
On October 27, 1275, a Dutch count granted Amsterdam's early residents toll freedom, the town's first known record.
The Victoria Completes the First Circumnavigation of the Globe
On September 6, 1522, the Victoria returned to Spain, the first ship to circumnavigate the globe, with 18 survivors and a cargo of cloves.
The Senate Approves the Louisiana Purchase
On October 20, 1803, the US Senate ratified the Louisiana Purchase, in which France sold a vast territory for about 15 million dollars.
The Erie Canal Opens
The Erie Canal opened on October 26, 1825, linking the Great Lakes to New York City and cutting freight costs sharply.
The Gamboa Dike Is Blown, Completing the Panama Canal
The Gamboa dike was blown on October 10, 1913, flooding the Culebra Cut and completing the Panama Canal after 33 years of work.
The GATT Is Signed
On October 30, 1947, twenty-three nations signed the GATT to cut tariffs and open world trade.
The Torrijos-Carter Treaties on the Panama Canal
On September 7, 1977, the US and Panama signed the treaties transferring control of the canal to Panama by the end of 1999.