October 31 in history — What Happened Today in History
Curious what October 31 in history holds? From 2020 back through the centuries, our timeline gathers everything that happened on October 31 — events, birthdays and deaths on one cozy page.
On this page, October 31 in history is arranged as a timeline of major events in reverse order, with birthdays and deaths in their own sections, plus a short FAQ about October 31 in history at the bottom.
Major Events on October 31 in History 40
- 2020
Berlin Brandenburg Airport opens its doors after nearly 10 years of delays due to construction issues and project corruption.
- 2017
A truck drives into a crowd in Lower Manhattan, New York City, killing eight people.
- 2015
Metrojet Flight 9268 is bombed over the northern Sinai Peninsula, killing all 224 people on board.
- 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.
- 2011
The global population of humans reaches seven billion. This day is now recognized by the United Nations as the Day of Seven Billion.
- 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.
- 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.
- 2000
Soyuz TM-31 launches, carrying the first resident crew to the International Space Station. The ISS has been crewed continuously since then.
- 2000
Singapore Airlines Flight 006 crashes on takeoff from Taipei, killing 83.
- 1999
Yachtsman Jesse Martin returns to Melbourne after 11 months of circumnavigating the world, solo, non-stop and unassisted.
- 1999
EgyptAir Flight 990 crashes into the Atlantic Ocean near Nantucket, killing all 217 people on board.
- 1998
Iraq disarmament crisis begins: Iraq announces it would no longer cooperate with United Nations weapons inspectors.
All entries for October 31（+28）
- 1996
TAM Transportes Aéreos Regionais Flight 402 crashes in São Paulo, Brazil, killing 99 people.
- 1994
American Eagle Flight 4184 crashes near Roselawn, Indiana killing all 68 people on board.
- 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.
- 1979
Western Airlines Flight 2605 crashes on landing in Mexico City, killing 73 people.
- 1973
Three Provisional Irish Republican Army members escape from Mountjoy Prison, Dublin aboard a hijacked helicopter that landed in the exercise yard.
- 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.
- 1968
Great Drought of 1968: Amidst a collapse of hydropower President of Chile Eduardo Frei Montalva decrees the establishment of daylight saving time.
- 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.
- 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.
- 1956
Suez Crisis: The United Kingdom and France begin bombing Egypt to force the reopening of the Suez Canal.
- 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.
- 1943
World War II: An F4U Corsair accomplishes the first successful radar-guided interception by a United States Navy or Marine Corps aircraft.
- 1941
After 14 years of work, Mount Rushmore is completed.
- 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.
- 1940
World War II: The Battle of Britain ends, causing Germany to abandon Operation Sea Lion.
- 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.
- 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).
- 1923
The first of 160 consecutive days of 100° Fahrenheit at Marble Bar, Western Australia.
- 1922
Benito Mussolini is made Prime Minister of Italy.
- 1918
World War I: The Aster Revolution terminates the Austro-Hungarian Compromise of 1867, and Hungary achieves full sovereignty.
- 1917
World War I: Battle of Beersheba: The "last successful cavalry charge in history".
- 1913
Dedication of the Lincoln Highway, the first automobile highway across United States.
- 1913
The Indianapolis Streetcar Strike and subsequent riot begins.
- 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.
- 1903
The Purdue Wreck, a railroad train collision in Indianapolis, kills 17 people, including 14 players of the Purdue University football team.
- 1895
The strongest earthquake in the Midwestern United States since 1812 strikes near Charleston, Missouri, causing damage and killing at least two.
- 1864
Nevada is admitted as the 36th U.S. state.
- 1863
The New Zealand Wars resume as British forces in New Zealand led by General Duncan Cameron begin their Invasion of the Waikato.
Famous Birthdays on October 31 in History 25
- 2005
Leonor, Princess of Asturias
- 2002
Ansu Fati
- 2000
Willow Smith, American singer, actress, and dancer
- 1999
Danielle Rose Russell, American actress
- 1999
Léa Serna, French figure skater
- 1997
Siobhán Bernadette Haughey, Hong Kong-Irish swimmer
- 1997
Sydney Park, American actress and comedian
- 1997
Marcus Rashford, English footballer
- 1997
Holly Taylor, Canadian-American actress
- 1995
Joana Valle Costa, Portuguese tennis player
- 1993
Mercedes Arn-Horn, Canadian musician
- 1993
Nadine Lustre, Filipino actress and singer
All entries for October 31（+13）
- 1993
Letitia Wright, Guyanese-British actress
- 1992
Vanessa Marano, American actress
- 1990
JID, American rapper
- 1989
Scott McGough, American baseball player
- 1988
Cole Aldrich, American basketball player
- 1988
Sébastien Buemi, Swiss race car driver
- 1988
Jack Riewoldt, Australian footballer
- 1988
Lizzy Yarnold, British skeleton racer
- 1987
Nick Foligno, Canadian ice hockey player
- 1987
Jean-Karl Vernay, French race car driver
- 1986
Chris Alajajian, Australian race car driver
- 1986
Christie Hayes, Australian actress and producer
- 1985
Fanny Chmelar, German alpine skier
Notable Deaths on October 31 in History 25
- 2023
Ken Mattingly, American astronaut (born 1936)
- 2021
Peter Philpott, Australian cricketer (born 1934)
- 2020
Sean Connery, Scottish actor (born 1930)
- 2020
MF Doom, British-American rapper and record producer (born 1971)
- 2018
Willie McCovey, American baseball player (born 1938)
- 2015
Gus Savage, American businessman and politician (born 1925)
- 2014
David Manker Abshire, American commander and diplomat, United States Permanent Representative to NATO (born 1926)
- 2014
Michael Alsbury, American engineer and pilot (born 1975)
- 2014
Brad Halsey, American baseball player (born 1981)
- 2014
Hitoshi Motoshima, Japanese educator and politician (born 1922)
- 2013
Chris Chase (aka Irene Kane), American actress and author (born 1924)
- 2013
Gérard de Villiers, French journalist and author (born 1929)
All entries for October 31（+13）
- 2013
Trevor Kletz, English chemist and author (born 1922)
- 2013
Johnny Kucks, American baseball player (born 1933)
- 2013
Andres Narvasa, Filipino lawyer and jurist, 19th Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the Philippines (born 1928)
- 2013
Bobby Parker, American singer-songwriter and guitarist (born 1937)
- 2012
Gae Aulenti, Italian architect and designer (born 1927)
- 2012
John Fitch, American race car driver and engineer (born 1917)
- 2012
John H. Reed, American soldier and politician, 67th Governor of Maine (born 1921)
- 2011
Flórián Albert, Hungarian footballer and manager (born 1941)
- 2011
Roberto Lippi, Italian race car driver (born 1926)
- 2010
Ted Sorensen, American lawyer, 8th White House Counsel (born 1928)
- 2009
Mustafa Mahmud, Egyptian physician and author (born 1921)
- 2009
Tom Wheatcroft, English businessman, founded the Donington Grand Prix Exhibition (born 1922)
- 2009
Qian Xuesen, Chinese aerodynamicist and academic (born 1911)
That is the story of October 31 in history. Bookmark this page and come back next year on October 31 to relive these world-changing moments — or take a random trip through time and see what happened on another day in history.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
What happened on October 31 in history?
The biggest event on October 31 in history is: 2020 — Berlin Brandenburg Airport opens its doors after nearly 10 years of delays due to construction issues and project corruption.. In total, 40 major events are recorded for this day.
Who was born on October 31?
25 famous people were born on October 31 in history, the best known being 2005 — Leonor, Princess of Asturias.
Who died on October 31?
25 notable people died on October 31 in history, including 2023 — Ken Mattingly, American astronaut (born 1936).
Why should I read about October 31 in history?
Exploring October 31 in history helps you grasp the day's place in history in just a few minutes: events, birthdays and deaths in one read — perfect for students, teachers and curious minds.
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