October 31st

On this day – 31st October 1984 – The assassination of India’s first female prime minister

Indira Gandhi, the daughter of India’s first prime minister, was elected as the Prime minister in 1966. She was a ruthless politician who worked towards centralizing the powers in India. She was re-elected in 1980 and it was during this term she was assassinated. Two of her Sikh bodyguard assassinated her on the 31st of October 1984 as a response to the assault on the Golden Temple. The assassination led to anti-Sikh riots where around 2800 Sikhs in India were murdered. The two assassins who killed Gandhi were hanged in 1989, while the murders of the Sikhs have yet to be properly prosecuted.

Octber 29th

On this day–30th October 1938– the famous “The War of the Worlds” radio-drama was played

The play was based on the book H. G Wells novel with the same title and Orson Welles was the director and narrator. The show was about the invasion of the US by alien and it started with a row of news bulletin to suggest the invasion. The radio-drama became famous because it allegedly caused mass panic, which have later been disputed because of its rather low amount of listeners. It did, however, create a huge news media coverage. Problems was also created for the radio-station on the eve of the show due to large crowds and police requesting the show to be interrupted. Orson Wells also received over 2000 letters in the aftermath of the radio-drama, and it helped to future his career. 

Happy Halloween to all our readers, don't panic!

Orson Welles explaining that no one knew that the broadcast would cause chaos  

October 29th

On this day - 29th of October 1923 - The Turkish republic was established

Turkey was established after the fall of the Ottoman Empire. Ottomans covered, at one point, parts of Northern-Africa, South East Europe, Western Asia, Caucasus and Horn of Africa. The Ottoman Empire declined during the 19th century, and as a last effort to gain back lost territories allied the Ottoman empire themselves with Germany during World War 1. British, French and Italian forces occupied Constantinople, Ottomans Capital, during the war. This, and the aftermath of the war contributed to the establishment of a Turkish national movement. In 1922 won this movement, and Mustafa Kemal, the Turkish war of Independence. On the 1st of November 1922 was the Sultanate abolished ending the 623 years long regime of the Ottoman Empire. This made the Ottoman Empire into history’s ninth longest lasting empire. On the 29th of October 1923 was Turkey established as a republic. Mustafa Kemal, also known as Atatürk, became Turkey’s first president and Ankara became Turkey’s new capital. The 28th to the 29th October is today celebrated in Turkey as Republic day.

October 28th

On this day - 28th October 1962 - The Cuban Missile Crises ended

The cuban missile crises lasted from the 16th to the 28th of October and was one of the most intense issues during the cold war. It was the closest the cold war came to become a warm, and potential nuclear, conflict. The reason for the conflict was the Soviet Unions deployment of ballistic missiles on Cuba after US failed "Bay of Pigs Invasion" of Cuba. After this followed a series of minor conflicts, including the US dropping of "Depth Charges" on a nuclear armed Soviet submarine and a military blockage by the US. On the 28th was finally an agreement between Kennedy and Khrushchev reached and agreed on by both sides.

The Soviet Union agreed to dismantle their offensive weapons on Cuba in exchange for an U.S official declaration to never invade Cuba without direct provocation. The US also agreed, in secretly, to dismantle U.S built Jupiter missiles in Turkey and Italy. As a result of the conflict was a hotline between Moscow and Washington established. The conflict became an embarrassment for Khrushchev, who fell from power only two years later.

J.F. Kennedy signing the proclamation authorizing the naval quarantine of Cuba

October 27th

On this day - October 27th 1992 - The US marine, Allen Schindler, murdered for being gay

Allen R. Schindler, who worked as a radioman in the US navy, was brutally killed in a public toilet in Japan. He had at least four fatal injuries and his penis was cut. His family was only able to identify Schindler due to a tattoo on his arm, because his body was unrecognisable. Schindler had previous to the murder complained to his commanding officer about anti-gay harassment on the assault ship he worked on. Schindler har decided to leave the navy, be his superiors had insisted he remained on the ship until his separation-process was finished. His murderer, airman apprentice Helvey, was sentenced to lifetime in prison. The murdered sparked a debate about gays in the US military culminating in the "Don't ask, don't tell" bill. This bill prohibit military personell from discriminating against or harassing against closet homosexuals and it prohibit openly gay, lesbian and bisexual persons from military service.

Allen R. Schindler died at the young age of 22 due to other peoples hatred. While his death caused a shift for the Navy LGBT rights still remains an issue until this day.

October 26th

On this day - 26th October 1977 - Smallpox was eradicated 

The Somali Ali Maow Maalin is the last human to have been naturally infected with (Variola Minor) smallpox. He contracted the disease on October 26th 1977. He survived, and the world health organisation declared the virus as officially eradicated two years later. Smallpox is believed to first have developed among humans around 10.000 BC. By the end of the 18th century died around 400.000 europeans annually. The eradication of this disease is considered one of the vaccination programs greatest success and 26th or October is by WHO considered the anniversary of the eradication of smallpox. 

Smallpox Vaccine

October 25th

On this day – October 25th 1760 – George III became king of Great Britain and Ireland

George III was king of UK and Ireland from 1760 until his death in 1820 (However, due to mental illness was a regency established with his oldest son in charge in 1810). His reign was longer than any UK monarch before him and only Victoria and Elisabeth II has ruled longer than him . George was then the king both during the Napoleon war and the American war of independence. George III struggled in his later years with dementia and rheumatics and by 1810 he was virtually blind. The Prince of Wales was the Regent from 1811 until George III death in 1820.  George III was succeeded by George IV, his oldest son, who only ruled for the next 10 years. George III has been know as the "scapegoat for the failure of imperialism".

October 24th

On this day - 24th of October 1945 - Vidkun Quisling was executed 

Quisling is mostly known for being the head of state during the German occupation of Norway. Quisling also met Hitler several times both before and after the ware broke out. Quisling announced over the radio that his political party, "Nasjonal Samling"(Norwegian national nazi-party) had seized power and that he was to be prime minister. His role as the prime-minister only lasted one week, since neither the Germans nor the Norwegians approved of him. Quisling got a second shot at political power in 1942 when he was appointed Minister President of Norway. Quisling had to, however, share his power with the German Reichskommissar Josef Terboven. Quisling was not a well liked man, he was not even liked by the Germans or even his own political party. After the war Quisling turned himself over to the police and his trial was set the 20th of August where he was found guilty of treason among other charges. On the 10th of September he was convicted and sentenced to death by firing squad. His last words were "I'm convicted unfairly and I die innocent." His legacy is that his name Quisling is a synonym with traitor and collaborationist.

Quisling og Terboven

October 23

On this day – 23rd October 1850 – The first National Women’s Rights Convention

This convention was held in Massachusetts on the 23-24 October 1850. The Convention was held to increase the visibility of women’s rights in the US and both male and females participated. A majority of the 900 participants were, however, men. The convention was thereafter held every year. The 23d also mark the day for a huge suffrage march in New York City in 1915. By that time had women’s rights increased compared to the Convention in 1850, but women were still lacking the right to vote in the US. Over 25.000 women marched up on Fifth Avenue which made it to the largest held in the city. People were, however, skeptical and New York Times ran an article arguing that “granted the suffrage, they would demand all the rights that implies. It is not possible to think of women as soldiers and sailors, police patrolmen, or firemen”. It would take another five years before the right to vote was given to women in the US.

The Suffrage Parade 1912 

October 22

On this day – 22nd October 1797 – The first recorded parachute jump 

The first recorded parachute jump was done by the Frenchman André-Jacques Garnerin over Paris in 1797. His parachute was based on an umbrella like shape (about 7m wide) and in silk. The first jump was from a height of one thousand meters (3200 feet). In October 1799 was the first recorded parachute jump by a women also successfully conducted. This was done by Jeanne Garnerin, André-Jacques, wife. Garnerin travelled around Europe to show off his balloons and parachutes until his death in 1823.

October 21st

On this day - October 21st 1805 - Battle of Trafalgar and Nelsons death

The Battle of Trafalgar was a navy battle between the British Royal Navy and the combined forces of the French and Spanish Navy. The British ships were led by Admiral Lord Nelson and won the battle, even with a smaller force. The French-Spanish fleet lost 22 of its ships, while the British Navy lost none. The battle also ended France plance for invading England. Lord Nelson however, lost his life when he was shot by a French Musketeer. He is considered as one of Britains greates war heros. Some of his last words were "Hardy, I do believe they have done it at last… my backbone is shot through". He was transported back to England where he is burried.

October 20th

On this day – 20th October 1973 – Sydney Opera House Opened 

Queen Elizabeth II (The British Queen) opened the iconic building in Australia on the 20th of October in 1973. The Danish Architect Jørn Utzon designed the building after winning a competition that was held in 1957. The building of the factory started in 1959, but the building was only completed in 1973 at a cost of $102 million. This was 1457% over the estimated building costs, and it also took 10 years longer than anticipated to finish the building. The first concert to be hold was Beethoven’s symphony number 9. The architect, Utzon, was not invented to the opening ceremony. The building hosts a range of venues and it has over 1500 performances every year, and is today considered one of the most iconic buildings in Australia.

October 19th

On this day – 19th October 1950 – China joined the Korean War 

Korea was divided in two after the Second World War and the defeat of Japan. The northern part of Korea had been liberated by the Soviet Union, while the southern parts had been liberated by the US. Each of the two liberating nations set up a governments in “their” part of the country, and thus a north and south Korea was created. In the summer of 1950 attacked North Korea the south with a goal of reunification. A UN led force got involved on the southern side. China supported North Korea, but they chose to not get directly involved in the war until the 19th of October 1950 when Chinese forces secretly crossed the Yalu River. The Southern forces had pressed the forces from the North up close to the Chinese border and China did not want to have an American friendly government close to their own borders. The Chinese participation turned the war around for the northern forces. After over three years was a ceasefire agreed to by all participating countries and no real change in the relationship between North and South Korea have happened since.

October 18th

On this day – 18th October 1851 – The novel about Moby-Dick was published 

The novel written by Herman Melville was first published under the title “The Whale”.  Moby-Dick is a white whale who destroyed the narrator of the novels ship and the novel gives a realistic description of whale-hunting. The novel was first published in London on the 18th of October in 1851, but it was a commercial failure. The book was published in the US in November the same year, but at the time of Melville death was the book out of publishing. It have in modern time gained popularity and it is today recognized as one of the Great Novels. 

“As for me, I am tormented with an everlasting itch for things remote. I love to sail forbidden seas, and land on barbarous coasts.”

October 17th

On this day – 17th of October 1814 -  8 people died of drowning in a beer-flood

The London Beer-Flood happened on the 17th of October when a storage tank (vats) holding 610.000 Litre of beer ruptured. This led to a domino effect, and more vats ruptured and over 1400.000 Litres of beer over-flooded the area. At least 8 people drown or died from injuries sustained in the flood, and the people taking to the streets to drink didn’t make the rescue work any easier. The disaster was later taken to court, but it was ruled to be an act by God. The porter-producing brewery who had the accident continued to operate until 1921.

October 16th

On this day – 16th of October 1923 – The Walt Disney Company was founded 

Walt and his brother Roy founded the Walt Disney Company 93 years ago today. The company was first named the Disney Brothers Cartoon Studio. Mickey Mouse, the companies star character was invented by Disney in 1928. The original name was Mortimer mouse, but Disney’s wife disliked the name and it was changed to Mickey. In 1937 had Snow White and the 7 dwarfs it’s premier. This was Disneys first full feature animated movie. The Disney Company is today the world second largest media conglomerate in the world and operate in everything from movies and TV to theme parks. They own ABC broadcasting, the Disney Channel, ESPN and AMC family, and they own and license 14 theme parks all around the world. Disney’s newest investment is the rights to the Star Wars. Walt Disney died in December 1966 and Roy took over as CEO. He died in 1971 and the company was left to Walts son-in-law, among other.

October 15th

On this day – 15th of October 1990 - Mikhail Gorbachev got the Nobel Peace Prize 

Mikhail Gorbachev, who got the Nobel Peace Prize, was the last leader of the former Soviet Union. Gorbachev got the Peace Prize for his effort to end the Cold War. His polices that lead to this was called glasnost (openness) and perestroika (restructuring). The removal of the constitutional role of the communist party lead to the end for the Soviet Union. Gorbachev has also gotten the Otto Hahn Medal peace medal in 1989 and the Harvey prize in 1992.