Oct 01
Which European country is conquered by France today in 1795?
October 1, 1795 — The Romans conquered Belgium in 57 BC and it became integrated into the Roman Empire as Gallia Belgica. However in the 5th century AD Roman rule collapsed and the Franks conquered Belgium. Their first capital was at Tournai....
Oct 02
What is a pasilalinic-sympathetic compass — and why did it make history today?
October 2, 1851 — The pasilalinic-sympathetic compass is demonstrated today, but proves to be a fake. Also referred to as the snail telegraph, this contraption was an attempt to prove the hypothesis that snails create a permanent telepathic link when they touch. French occultist Jacques Toussaint Benoit (pictured above)...
Oct 03
Which beloved American author is found delirious in a gutter today?
October 3, 1849 — American author Edgar Allan Poe is found delirious in a gutter near the Baltimore tavern, Ryan’s 4th Ward Polls, under mysterious circumstances. It is the last time he is seen in public. He died four days later. According...
Oct 04
Which country became a Republic today in 1824?
October 4, 1824 — The Federal Constitution of the United Mexican States of 1824 was enacted today after the overthrow of the Mexican Empire of Agustin de Iturbide. In the new constitution, Mexico took the name of United Mexican States, and was defined...
Oct 05
Why did Alaska stop using the Julian calendar today?
October 5, 1867 — Today marks the last day of Julian calendar in Alaska. Introduced by Julius Caesar in 46 BC (708 AUC), the Julian calendar was a reform of the Roman calendar. It took effect in 45 BC (709 AUC), shortly...
Oct 06
Who patented the self-winding clock today?
October 6, 1783 — Benjamin Hanks patented the self-winding clock today when he obtained a 14-year intellectual rights patent for the apparatus that could wind itself and operate by the use of air. Plus, it would automatically continue to wind itself up and operate until the mechanical...
Oct 07
What is the Granite Railway?
October 7, 1826 — The first chartered railway in US began operations today. Called the Granite Railway, it was built to carry granite from Quincy, Massachusetts, to a dock on the Neponset River in Milton. From there boats carried the heavy stone to Charlestown...
Oct 08
What is the “Ke Kumukānāwai a me nā Kānāwai o ko Hawai’i Pae ‘Āina?”
October 8, 1840 — "Ke Kumukānāwai a me nā Kānāwai o ko Hawai’i Pae ‘Āina, Honolulu, 1840" was the first fully written constitution for the Kingdom of Hawaiʻi. More similar to a declaration of rights, it stated that the government was...
Oct 09
Which meeting established the US Naval Institute today?
October 9, 1837 — A meeting at the US Naval Academy established the US Naval Institute today in 1837. A fixture at the US Naval Academy, the group of 15 naval officers met to discuss the serious implications of a smaller, post-Civil War Navy....
Oct 10
How many were killed in the Great Hurricane of 1780?
October 10, 1780 — Great Hurricane of 1780 (also known as Hurricane San Calixto II), killed 20,000 to 30,000 in Caribbean today. Hitting Barbados first, it remains the Atlantic's deadliest recorded hurricane in history. According to HurricaneScience.org, forecasters and historians believe that the Great...
Oct 11
What invention did Thomas Edison patent today in 1868?
October 11, 1868 — Thomas Alva Edison patented his first invention today: the electric voice machine. This was the first of 1,093 patents that he was issued during his lifetime (February 11, 1847 – October 18, 1931). The American inventor and businessman developed many devices that greatly...
Oct 12
Where did America’s first insane asylum open today?
October 12, 1773 — America's first insane asylum opened today in Williamsburg, Virginia for "Persons of Insane and Disordered Minds." A two-story brick institution south of Francis Street, this public hospital was founded at the urging of Governor Francis Fauquier, who believed science...
Oct 13
Who published the first edition of the “Old Farmer’s Almanac” today in 1792?
October 13, 1792 — The first edition of the "Old Farmer's Almanac" is published today by editor Robert B. Thomas. It was George Washington's first term as president, and although many other almanacs were being published at the time, Thomas's upstart almanac became an...
Oct 14
Who was Henry Blair?
October 14, 1824 — Henry Blair was the first black man to obtain a US patent today — for a corn planter. Born in Glen Ross, Maryland, United States in 1807, Blair was a successful farmer for years and a natural when it came to...
Oct 15
Who is considered the first modern historian of ancient Rome?
October 15, 1764 — Today, Edward Gibbon observed a group of friars singing in the ruined Temple of Jupiter in Rome, which inspired him to begin work on "The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire." Here's why: Gibbon...
Oct 16
Who was John Brown, and how did he die?
October 16, 1859 — Today, Caucasian abolitionist John Brown led 21 activists in a raid on the federal arsenal in Harper's Ferry, which was then in Virginia (now West Virginia). He was defeated by a detachment of U.S. Marines led by Col. Robert E....
Oct 17
What did British General Charles Cornwallis do today to officially bring the American Revolution to a close?
October 17, 1781 — British General Charles Cornwallis surrendered 8,000 British soldiers and seamen to a French and American force at Yorktown, Virginia, today — officially bringing the American Revolution to a close. The Siege of Yorktown, also known as the...
Oct 18
What famous African American poet was freed from slavery today?
October 18, 1775 — Poet Phillis Wheatley was freed from slavery today in 1775. It was a long time coming. Only 7 years old when she was captured and taken from her home in West Africa, a slave ship brought her to Boston in...
Oct 19
Who were the first African Americans elected to Congress?
October 19, 1870 — Senator Hiram Revels (pictured right) of Mississippi, and Representative Joseph Rainey of South Carolina, are the first African Americans elected to US House of Representatives today. Since then, a total of 140 African Americans have served as U.S. Representatives or...
Oct 20
Which college organized the first astronomical expedition in the US today in 1780?
October 20, 1780 — Harvard University organized America's first astronomical expedition today. The goal was to record an eclipse of the sun by observing an event that lasted from 11:11 am to 1:50 pm. Samuel Williams (23 Apr 1743 - 2 Jan 1817) was the American natural...
Oct 21
When did the famous Can-Can dancers arrive in the US?
October 21, 1830 — The famous dance, the Can-Can, is performed for the first time today in Paris. The high-energy and physically demanding music hall dance, was performed by a chorus line of female dancers who wore costumes with long skirts, petticoats, and...
Oct 22
Which Ivy League University received its charter today in 1746?
October 22, 1746 — Princeton University received its charter today. Called the College of New Jersey (which was its name for the next 150 years), it was British North America’s fourth college devoted to the education of young men. It became co-educational in 1969. Two...
Oct 23
Which religious document was printed for the first time in the US today in 1760?
October 23, 1760 — Jewish prayer books were printed for the first time in North America today. Previously, the prayer books used by American Jewish synagogues were brought from Amsterdam. During Oliver Cromwell's reign England began to allow Jews to return to...
Oct 24
When did West Virginia secede from west Virginia?
October 24, 1861 — The U.S. state of West Virginia was formed out of western Virginia today, making it one of two American states formed during the American Civil War (1861–1865), along with Nevada. Of the 46 members of the convention that represented what became West Virginia, 9 voted for the ordinance...
Oct 25
Who became the first Governor of Massachusetts today in 1780?
October 25, 1780 — After the adoption of the US Constitution, John Hancock was sworn in as the first Governor of Massachusetts today. He won reelection in 1790, 1791, 1792, and again in 1793. During his tenure, he advocated for his state's...
Oct 26
What great mission did Benjamin Franklin set forth on today?
October 26, 1776 — Benjamin Franklin departed for France today on a mission to seek French support for the American Revolution. He served as the American ambassador to France until 1785, and met with many leading diplomats, aristocrats, intellectuals, scientists and financiers. His image...
Oct 27
Which branch of the armed forces was formed today?
October 27, 1775 — The US Navy formed today. Rooted in the American seafaring tradition, it produced a large community of sailors, captains and shipbuilders in the colonial era. In the early stages of the American Revolutionary War, Massachusetts had its own navy. The...
Oct 28
Why did New York gave up claim to Vermont today in 1790?
October 28, 1790 — New York gave up claims to Vermont for $30,000 today. Negotiations for the sale began three years earlier, in 1787, when Alexander Hamilton, who was then a member of the New York Assembly. He introduced a bill that...
Oct 29
Which organization helped establish the International Committee of Red Cross?
October 29, 1863 — Today, the International Committee of Red Cross formed as result of a conference held in Geneva, Switzerland. Its sole objective was to ensure protection and assistance for victims of armed conflict and strife through direct action around the world. Meetings...
Oct 30
How much loot did Jesse James’ gang steal from a bank in Missouri today in 1866?
October 30, 1866 — Jesse James and his gang robbed a bank in Lexington, Missouri today, stealing $2000. The American outlaw, guerrilla, gang leader, bank robber, train robber, and murderer from the state of Missouri was the most famous member of the James-Younger Gang. Jesse and his brother Frank (pictured right)...
Oct 31
What tragic choice do the leaders of the Donner party make today?
October 31, 1846 — The Donner party, unable to cross what we now call Donner Pass, begin construction on a winter camp today. The group of American pioneers was led by George Donner and James F. Reed (pictured here with his wife, Margaret)....
