October 28 has witnessed a multitude of significant events that have shaped world history.
From pivotal political declarations and groundbreaking discoveries to moments of conflict and triumph, this date offers a fascinating glimpse into our shared past.
In this article, we explore twenty notable events that occurred on October 28 throughout the centuries, highlighting their lasting impacts and the figures who played crucial roles in these historical moments.
October 28th – On this Day in History
312 – Constantine the Great’s Vision of the Cross
On October 28, 312, Constantine the Great experienced a significant event that would change the course of history: the Vision of the Cross.
According to historical accounts, Constantine saw a cross of light in the sky along with the words “In this sign, you will conquer.” This vision came before the Battle of the Milvian Bridge, a decisive conflict in his rise to power.
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Taking the vision as a divine sign, Constantine instructed his soldiers to adorn their shields with the Christian symbol, leading them to a victorious battle. This event marked the beginning of Constantine’s conversion to Christianity and played a crucial role in the spread of Christianity throughout the Roman Empire.
1492 – Christopher Columbus Lands in Cuba
On October 28, 1492, during his first voyage to the New World, Christopher Columbus arrived on the northeastern coast of Cuba. Mistaking the island for part of Asia, Columbus named it “Juana” after Prince Juan of Spain. This event was part of Columbus’s quest to find a westward route to the East Indies.
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His landing in Cuba opened the door to further exploration and colonization of the Americas by Europeans. The encounter between Columbus and the indigenous people of Cuba initiated significant cultural exchanges and had profound, lasting impacts on the native populations and global history.
1538 – Establishment of the Universidad Santo Tomás de Aquino
The Universidad Santo Tomás de Aquino, the first university in the New World, was established on October 28, 1538, in Hispaniola, now the Dominican Republic. Founded by Pope Paul III and Emperor Charles V, the university aimed to provide higher education in theology, philosophy, and other disciplines to the Spanish colonies in the Americas.
It was a significant step in spreading European education and religious practices to the New World. The establishment of this institution marked the beginning of formal education in the Americas, influencing the cultural and intellectual development of the region.
1636 – Establishment of Harvard University
On October 28, 1636, the Massachusetts Bay Colony founded Harvard University, the first institution of higher learning in the United States. Initially called “New College,” it was later renamed Harvard College in honor of its first benefactor, John Harvard, a young minister who left his library and half of his estate to the institution.
Harvard University played a pivotal role in the educational, cultural, and political development of the United States. It set the standard for higher education in the country and became a model for other colleges and universities that followed.
1775 – British Proclamation During the American Revolutionary War
On October 28, 1775, amid escalating tensions in the American Revolutionary War, the British government issued a proclamation forbidding residents from leaving Boston. This proclamation aimed to prevent the spread of rebellion and maintain control over the city, which was a crucial stronghold for the British.
The restriction on movement heightened the already tense situation between the British authorities and the American colonists, contributing to the growing conflict that would eventually lead to the Declaration of Independence and the formation of the United States.
1835 – Independence of the United Tribes of New Zealand
On October 28, 1835, the United Tribes of New Zealand, a confederation of Maori tribes, declared their independence. This declaration, known as the Declaration of the Independence of New Zealand, was signed by 34 northern chiefs and later recognized by the British government.
The declaration was drafted by British Resident James Busby, who sought to protect New Zealand from foreign threats and ensure British interests in the region.
This event marked a significant step in New Zealand’s history, asserting Maori sovereignty and laying the groundwork for the Treaty of Waitangi, which would be signed five years later, establishing British colonial rule.
1886 – Dedication of the Statue of Liberty
On October 28, 1886, the Statue of Liberty was officially dedicated by President Grover Cleveland in New York Harbor. A gift from the people of France to the United States, the statue commemorated the centennial of American independence and symbolized the enduring friendship between the two nations.
Designed by French sculptor Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi and built by Gustave Eiffel, the Statue of Liberty quickly became an iconic symbol of freedom and democracy. The dedication ceremony included speeches, a military parade, and fireworks, marking the statue’s place as a beacon of hope for immigrants arriving in America.
1918 – Czechoslovakia Declares Independence
On October 28, 1918, as World War I was drawing to a close, Czechoslovakia declared its independence from the Austro-Hungarian Empire. The proclamation was made by the Czechoslovak National Council, led by Tomáš Garrigue Masaryk, who became the new nation’s first president.
This historic event marked the birth of Czechoslovakia as a sovereign state, encompassing the regions of Bohemia, Moravia, Slovakia, and Carpathian Ruthenia. The declaration of independence was a significant milestone in the struggle for self-determination by the Czech and Slovak peoples, setting the stage for the establishment of a democratic republic in Central Europe.
1919 – Passage of the Volstead Act
On October 28, 1919, the United States Congress passed the Volstead Act, overriding President Woodrow Wilson’s veto. The Volstead Act, officially known as the National Prohibition Act, provided the legal framework for enforcing the 18th Amendment, which established Prohibition in the United States.
The act defined intoxicating liquors and outlined the penalties for the production, distribution, and consumption of alcohol. Prohibition aimed to reduce crime and corruption, improve health, and increase productivity, but it also led to unintended consequences, such as the rise of organized crime. The Volstead Act remained in effect until the repeal of Prohibition in 1933.
1922 – March on Rome
On October 28, 1922, the March on Rome marked a turning point in Italian history as fascists led by Benito Mussolini marched on the capital, demanding political power.
Thousands of Blackshirts, members of Mussolini’s paramilitary organization, converged on Rome, pressuring King Victor Emmanuel III to appoint Mussolini as Prime Minister.
Faced with the threat of civil war, the king acquiesced, and Mussolini was given the authority to form a new government. The March on Rome signaled the beginning of fascist rule in Italy, leading to the establishment of a totalitarian regime that lasted until the end of World War II.
1929 – Black Monday and the Start of the Great Depression
On October 28, 1929, Black Monday, one of the most devastating days in financial history, occurred. The New York Stock Exchange saw a dramatic decline, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average dropping nearly 13%.
This event followed the initial crash on October 24, known as Black Thursday, and preceded another massive drop on Black Tuesday, October 29.
The panic selling on Black Monday was fueled by investor fears and margin calls, leading to a collapse in stock prices. The events of these days precipitated the Great Depression, a global economic crisis that resulted in massive unemployment, widespread poverty, and profound social and political changes around the world.
1940 – Italy Invades Greece
On October 28, 1940, Italy, under the fascist regime of Benito Mussolini, launched an invasion of Greece. The invasion began with an ultimatum delivered to the Greek government, demanding free passage for Italian troops to occupy strategic locations.
The Greeks, led by Prime Minister Ioannis Metaxas, famously responded with a single word, “Oxi” (No), marking the beginning of the Greco-Italian War.
Despite initial Italian advances, the Greek forces mounted a strong defense, eventually pushing the Italians back into Albania. This conflict highlighted the resilience of the Greek people and disrupted Mussolini’s plans for expanding his empire, ultimately drawing Nazi Germany into the Balkan campaign.
1942 – Completion of the Alaska Highway
On October 28, 1942, the Alaska Highway, also known as the Alcan Highway, was officially completed. This 1,700-mile road connected Dawson Creek in British Columbia, Canada, to Delta Junction near Fairbanks, Alaska.
Constructed during World War II by the United States Army Corps of Engineers in response to the Japanese threat to the Aleutian Islands, the highway was built in just over eight months.
It served as a crucial supply route, facilitating the movement of military personnel and equipment. The Alaska Highway remains an important transportation route, symbolizing engineering achievement and the strategic cooperation between the United States and Canada.
1948 – Paul Müller Awarded Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine
On October 28, 1948, Swiss chemist Paul Hermann Müller was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for his discovery of the potent insecticidal properties of DDT (dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane).
Müller’s work revolutionized the fight against insect-borne diseases such as malaria and typhus, saving countless lives around the world. DDT became widely used in agriculture and public health initiatives.
However, the environmental impact of DDT later led to significant controversy, highlighting the need for careful consideration of long-term ecological effects. Müller’s discovery remains a landmark achievement in the history of public health and chemistry.
1958 – Election of Pope John XXIII
On October 28, 1958, Angelo Giuseppe Roncalli was elected Pope, taking the name John XXIII. His election marked the beginning of a transformative period in the Roman Catholic Church. Known for his warmth and humility, Pope John XXIII sought to bring a renewed spirit of openness and reform to the Church.
He convened the Second Vatican Council (1962-1965), which aimed to modernize Church practices and improve relations with other Christian denominations and non-Christian religions.
The council’s outcomes included significant liturgical reforms and a greater emphasis on social justice and human rights. Pope John XXIII’s legacy continues to influence the Church and the broader Christian community.
1962 – Cuban Missile Crisis: Removal of Soviet Missiles from Cuba
On October 28, 1962, during the height of the Cuban Missile Crisis, Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev announced the removal of Soviet missiles from Cuba, marking a significant de-escalation of one of the most dangerous confrontations of the Cold War.
This decision followed intense negotiations between the United States, led by President John F. Kennedy, and the Soviet Union.
The crisis had begun earlier in October when U.S. reconnaissance planes discovered Soviet nuclear missile installations in Cuba, just 90 miles from American shores. The U.S. imposed a naval blockade and demanded the removal of the missiles, bringing the world to the brink of nuclear war.
Khrushchev’s agreement to dismantle the missile sites in exchange for a U.S. pledge not to invade Cuba and the secret removal of U.S. missiles from Turkey effectively ended the standoff, highlighting the importance of diplomacy and communication in averting global conflict.
1965 – Promulgation of Nostra Aetate
On October 28, 1965, Nostra Aetate, the Declaration on the Relation of the Church with Non-Christian Religions, was promulgated by Pope Paul VI during the Second Vatican Council. This landmark document represented a significant shift in the Catholic Church’s approach to interfaith relations.
Nostra Aetate acknowledged the truth and holiness in other religions and called for mutual understanding and respect between Catholics and followers of other faiths, including Judaism, Islam, Hinduism, and Buddhism.
The declaration rejected anti-Semitism and recognized the shared spiritual heritage of Christianity and Judaism, fostering a new era of dialogue and cooperation. Nostra Aetate remains a foundational text for the Church’s commitment to interreligious dialogue and peace.
1982 – Election of the Spanish Socialist Workers’ Party
On October 28, 1982, the Spanish Socialist Workers’ Party (PSOE) won a landslide victory in Spain’s general election, leading to the formation of the first socialist government since the Second Spanish Republic.
The PSOE, led by Felipe González, received a significant mandate from the Spanish people, who were eager for change after decades of dictatorship under Francisco Franco and a transition period marked by economic and political challenges.
González’s government implemented a range of progressive social and economic reforms, including the expansion of the welfare state, educational improvements, and efforts to modernize the Spanish economy. This election marked a pivotal moment in Spain’s democratic consolidation and its integration into the broader European community.
1995 – Baku Metro Fire
On October 28, 1995, a tragic fire broke out in the Baku Metro in Azerbaijan, resulting in the deaths of 289 passengers and injuring hundreds more. The fire, which occurred between the Ulduz and Nariman Narimanov stations, was one of the deadliest subway disasters in history.
The blaze was exacerbated by poor emergency response and inadequate safety measures, including malfunctioning ventilation systems and locked emergency exits.
The disaster highlighted the critical need for improved safety standards and emergency preparedness in public transportation systems. It also led to significant reforms in the Baku Metro and raised awareness about the importance of passenger safety in subways worldwide.
2007 – Cristina Fernández de Kirchner Elected President of Argentina
On October 28, 2007, Cristina Fernández de Kirchner was elected as the first female President of Argentina through a democratic election. She succeeded her husband, Néstor Kirchner, who had served as president from 2003 to 2007.
Cristina Fernández de Kirchner’s election marked a continuation of the Kirchnerist policies focused on economic recovery, social inclusion, and regional integration. During her presidency, she faced numerous challenges, including economic instability, political opposition, and issues related to human rights and corruption.
Despite these difficulties, her leadership style and policies left a lasting impact on Argentina’s political landscape, solidifying her place as a significant figure in the country’s contemporary history.