October 31 is the 304th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar; 61 days remain until the end of the year.
We have some interesting facts & historic events all about October 31st, including areas in religion, crime, health and more.
Keep reading for more interesting facts about October 31st in history!
Table of Contents
Global Celebrations
- Halloween
- National Magic Day
- National Caramel Apple Day
Historic Events
What Happened On This Day – October 31
2011: Day of Seven Billion
The world’s official population reached 7 billion on approximately this day. The United Nations Population Fund designated it as the Day of Seven Billion.
1999: EgyptAir Flight 990 crash
Egypt Air Flight 990 crashed off the Eastern coast of the US, killing all 217 people aboard.
1992: Catholic church regrets its handling of Galileo Galilee’s case
Then Pope John Paul II acknowledged the errors committed by the Catholic Church while dealing with Galileo Galilei in the 17th century.
1984: Indira Gandhi assassinated
Indira Gandhi, the first female prime minister of India, was assassinated by two of her bodyguards. Her death sparked riots in India and New Delhi, where several thousand Sikhs were killed.
1978: South Yemen adopts constitution
The short-lived People’s Democratic Republic of Yemen, or South Yemen, adopted its constitution. South Yemen eventually unified with North Yemen in 1990 to create what is today called Yemen
Famous Birthdays
Births On This Day, October 31
1961: Peter Jackson, New Zealand actor, director, screenwriter, producer
1918: Ian Stevenson, American biochemist
1892: Alexander Alekhine, Russian chess player
1887: Chiang Kai-shek, Chinese military leader, politician, President of the Republic of China
1875: Vallabhbhai Patel, Indian activist, politician, 1st Deputy Prime Minister of India
Heartbreaking Deaths
Deaths On This Day, October 31
2006: P. W. Botha, South African politician, 1st State President of South Africa
1993: Federico Fellini, Italian director
1984: Indira Gandhi, Indian politician, 3rd Prime Minister of India
1926: Harry Houdini, Hungarian/American magician, actor
1916: Charles Taze Russell, American minister
