Europa
- Establishment of Czechoslovakia (1918)
On October 28, 1918, Czechoslovakia declared its independence from Austria-Hungary, marking the birth of a new state in Central Europe. This day is celebrated as the Day of the Establishment of an Independent Czecho-Slovak State in the Czech Republic and Slovakia. - Ohi Day in Greece (1940)
October 28 is known as “Ohi Day” (also spelled “Oxi Day”) in Greece and Cyprus. On this day in 1940, Greek Prime Minister Ioannis Metaxas famously said “No” (“Ohi” in Greek) to an ultimatum from Italian dictator Benito Mussolini, refusing to allow Axis troops to enter Greece. This act led to Greece’s entry into World War II, where Greek resistance delayed the Nazi invasion of the Soviet Union and had a significant impact on the course of the war. Ohi Day is a national holiday in Greece, commemorated with parades and celebrations. - 1449: Ladislaus the Posthumous was crowned king of Bohemia in Prague.
- 1453: Christian I was crowned king of Denmark.
- 1664: The Corps of Her Majesty’s Royal Marines was established in Britain, originally known as The Duke of York and Albany’s Maritime Regiment of Foot.
- 1831: English physicist Michael Faraday demonstrated the dynamo, founding the science of electromagnetism.
- 1971: The UK House of Commons voted for Britain to apply to join the European Economic Community (EEC), a major step towards European integration.
America
- Statue of Liberty Dedicated (1886)
On October 28, 1886, President Grover Cleveland officially dedicated the Statue of Liberty in New York Harbor. This iconic monument, a gift from France, became a symbol of freedom and hope for immigrants arriving in the United States. - Cuban Missile Crisis Ends (1962)
October 28, 1962, marked the resolution of the Cuban Missile Crisis. Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev informed the United States that he had ordered the dismantling of Soviet missile bases in Cuba, and the U.S. agreed not to invade Cuba, effectively ending one of the most dangerous confrontations of the Cold War. - Volstead Act Passed (1919)
On this day in 1919, the U.S. Congress passed the Volstead Act over President Woodrow Wilson’s veto. The act provided for the enforcement of Prohibition, making the production, sale, and transport of alcohol illegal in the United States. - Founding of Harvard College (1636)
The General Court of Massachusetts passed an act establishing Harvard College, the oldest institution of higher learning in the United States, on October 28, 1636. - Battle of White Plains (1776)
During the American Revolutionary War, British forces attacked and captured Chatterton Hill from the Continental Army at the Battle of White Plains, New York, on October 28, 1776.
Asia
- The 1891 Mino–Owari Earthquake in Japan
On October 28, 1891, the Mino–Owari earthquake, the largest inland earthquake in Japanese history, struck central Japan. The disaster resulted in the deaths of around 7,300 people and caused widespread destruction, marking a significant event in Japanese natural disaster history. - Baku Metro Fire in Azerbaijan (1995)
On October 28, 1995, a catastrophic fire broke out in the Baku Metro between the Ulduz and Nariman Narimanov stations. This tragedy claimed the lives of 289 passengers and injured hundreds more, making it one of the deadliest subway disasters in history. - Peshawar Bombing in Pakistan (2009)
On October 28, 2009, a devastating bombing occurred in Peshawar, Pakistan, killing at least 117 people and injuring over 200. The attack targeted a crowded market and was one of the deadliest in the region that year. - 1851: The British Indian Association was established in Bengal, playing a key role in India’s early nationalist movement.
- Birth Anniversaries: October 28 marks the birth anniversary of several notable Indian figures, including Sister Nivedita (an influential social worker and disciple of Swami Vivekananda), Manilal Gandhi (son of Mahatma Gandhi), Atul Prasad Sen (composer and poet), Indra Nooyi (business executive), and Urjit Patel (former Governor of the Reserve Bank of India).
- 2013: A car crashed into barriers at Tiananmen Square in Beijing, China, killing five people and injuring 38 in what was later described as a terrorist attack.
Africa
- Deployment of Nigerian Peacekeepers to Darfur (2004)
On October 28, 2004, a contingent of 50 Nigerian soldiers arrived in Darfur, Sudan, as the first of 3,000 additional African Union troops sent to help monitor a fragile ceasefire during the Darfur conflict. Nigeria has played a major role in African peacekeeping, with extensive contributions to both United Nations and African Union missions across the continent. - Cameroon Landslide (2019)
On October 28, 2019, a devastating landslide occurred in Bafoussam, Cameroon, burying 42 people alive. This tragic event highlighted the vulnerability of certain African regions to natural disasters and the ongoing challenges of disaster preparedness. - South Africa Wins Rugby World Cup (2023)
On October 28, 2023, South Africa defeated New Zealand 12–11 in the Rugby World Cup final, becoming the first nation to win the tournament four times. This victory was celebrated as a significant achievement in South African sports history.
This day in history: 28 october