October 31

A quick look at Today in History, check out some Celebrity Birthdays, and find out what Days of the Year to celebrate.

TODAY IN HISTORY:

1864 – Nevada was admitted as the 36th U.S. state.

1868 – A standard uniform for postal carriers was approved by Postmaster General Alexander Williams Randall.

1913 – The Lincoln Highway was dedicated. It was the first automobile highway across the United States. It ran from Times Square in New York, NY to Lincoln Park in San Francisco, CA.

1926 – Magician Harry Houdini died of gangrene and peritonitis resulting from a ruptured appendix. His appendix had been damaged twelve days earlier when he was punched in the stomach unexpectedly by a student. During a lecture Houdini had commented on the strength of his stomach muscles and how he had the ability to withstand hard blows.

1941 – After 14 years of work, Mount Rushmore in South Dakota was declared finished. At the time the 60-foot busts of Presidents George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt and Abraham Lincoln were declared done as funding for the project ran out.

1952 – The U.S. detonated its first hydrogen bomb.

1956 – Rear Admiral G.J. Dufek became the first person to land an airplane at the South Pole. Dufek also became the first person to set foot on the South Pole.

1962 – The Sault Ste. Marie International Bridged opened.

1969 – Wal-Mart Discount City stores were incorporated as Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.

2000 – In a deal with German media giant Bertelsmann, Napster agreed to charge fees to download music over the Internet.

2000 – Soyuz TM-31 launched, carrying the first resident crew to the International Space Station. The I.S.S. has been crewed continuously since then.

2001 – Microsoft and the U.S. Justice Department reached a tentative agreement to settle the antitrust case against the software company.

2002 – A federal grand jury in Houston, TX, indicted 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.

2005 – The iTunes Music Store reached 1 million videos sold.

2007 – Google shares hit $700 for the first time.

2008 – Distribution Video Audio, Inc. shipped its final shipment of VHS tapes to stores. The company was the last major United States supplier of pre-recorded VHS tapes.

2011 – The global population of humans reached seven billion. The day is now recognized by the United Nations as Seven Billion Day.

2014 – Virgin Galactic’s SpaceShipTwo crashed in the Mojave Desert during a test flight.

2017 – A truck drove into a crowd in Lower Manhattan, New York City, killing eight people.

BIRTHDAYS:

Dan Rather – 94 years old (1931) – Journalist

Dale Brown – 90 years old (1935) – Basketball player and coach

David Harvey – 90 years old (1935) – English-American geographer and academic

Tom Paxton – 88 years old (1937) – Folk music singer-songwriter and guitarist

Ron Rifkin – 86 years old (1939) – Actor

Sally Kirkland – 84 years old (1941) – Actress

Elliott Forbes-Robinson – 82 years old (1943) – Race car driver

Paul Frampton – 82 years old (1943) – English-American physicist and academic

Brian Doyle-Murray – 80 years old (1945) – Actor and comedian

Deidre Hall – 78 years old (1947) – Actress

Frank Shorter – 78 years old (1947) – Runner and sportscaster

Bob Siebenberg – 76 years old (1949) – Drummer

Jane Pauley – 75 years old (1950) – Journalist

Antonio Taguba – 75 years old (1950) – Filipino-American general

Nick Saban – 74 years old (1951) – Football player and coach

Dave Trembley – 74 years old (1951) – Baseball player, coach, and manager

Joe West – 73 years old (1952) – Baseball umpire

John Lucas II – 72 years old (1953) – Basketball player and coach

Ken Wahl – 71 years old (1954) – Actor and screenwriter

Susan Orlean – 70 years old (1955) – Journalist and author

Bruce Bawer – 69 years old (1956) – Poet and critic

Brian Stokes Mitchell – 68 years old (1957) – Singer and actor

Robert Pollard – 68 years old (1957) – Singer-songwriter and guitarist

Neal Stephenson – 66 years old (1959) – Author

Mike Gallego – 65 years old (1960) – Baseball player and coach

Alonzo Babers – 64 years old (1961) – Runner and pilot

Kate Campbell – 64 years old (1961) – Singer-songwriter and guitarist

Jonathan Borden – 63 years old (1962) – Neurosurgeon and academic

Anna Geifman – 63 years old (1962) – Historian, author, and academic

John Giannini – 63 years old (1962) – Basketball player and coach

Fred McGriff – 62 years old (1963) – Baseball player

Dermot Mulroney – 62 years old (1963) – Actor

Rob Schneider – 62 years old (1963) – Actor and comedian

Frank Bruni – 61 years old (1964) – Journalist and critic

Darryl Worley – 61 years old (1964) – Country music singer-songwriter and guitarist

Blue Edwards – 60 years old (1965) – Basketball player

Ad-Rock – 59 years old (1966) – Rapper, producer, and actor

Mike O'Malley – 59 years old (1966) – Actor and comedian

Vanilla Ice – 58 years old (1967) – Rapper, television personality, and real estate investor

Buddy Lazier – 58 years old (1967) – Race car driver

Antonio Davis – 57 years old (1968) – Basketball player and sportscaster

Christopher Bevins – 52 years old (1973) – Voice actor, director, producer, and screenwriter

Tim Byrdak – 52 years old (1973) – Baseball player

David Dellucci – 52 years old (1973) – Baseball player and sportscaster

Beverly Lynne – 52 years old (1973) – Actress

Roger Manganelli – 51 years old (1974) – Brazilian-American singer-songwriter and bass player

Keith Jardine – 50 years old (1975) – Mixed martial artist and actor

Johnny Whitworth – 50 years old (1975) – Actor and producer

Piper Perabo – 49 years old (1976) – Actress and producer

Samaire Armstrong – 45 years old (1980) – Model, actress, and fashion designer

Alondra de la Parra – 45 years old (1980) – Mexican-American pianist and conductor

Eddie Kaye Thomas – 45 years old (1980) – Actor and voice artist

Steven Hunter – 44 years old (1981) – Basketball player

Frank Iero – 44 years old (1981) – Singer-songwriter and guitarist

Mike Napoli – 44 years old (1981) – Baseball player

Adam Bouska – 42 years old (1983) – Photographer and activist, founded the NOH8 Campaign

Pat Murray – 41 years old (1984) – Football player

Kerron Clement – 40 years old (1985) – Hurdler and sprinter

Cole Aldrich – 37 years old (1988) – Basketball player

Scott McGough – 36 years old (1989) – Baseball player

JID – 35 years old (1990) – Rapper

Vanessa Marano – 33 years old (1992) – Actress

Sydney Park – 28 years old (1997) – Actress and comedian

Holly Taylor – 28 years old (1997) – Canadian-American actress

Danielle Rose Russell – 26 years old (1999) – Actress

Willow Smith – 25 years old (2000) – Singer, actress, and dancer

TODAY IS:

• National Magic Day: Abracadabra! From card tricks to disappearing acts, magic never fails to captivate and leave us in awe. It's simply enchanting!
• National Caramel Apple Day: That delightful combo of sticky sweetness covering crisp fruit on a stick, it's like a carnival treat that puts smiles on faces.
• World Savings Day: Thinking about the future and making financial plans is a wise practice. And making a plan by putting a few dollars aside on a regular basis is what World Savings Day is all about. How to Celebrate World Savings Day It’s fun – and also rather lucrative – to be...
• National Breadstick Day: Soft or crunchy. Plain or cheesy. Eaten on their own or dipped in red sauce. Enjoyed as an appetizer or a snack. Breadsticks act as a palate for a wide variety of flavors that are included in Italian cuisine. National Breadstick Day serves as a special reminder to appreciate and...
• Muddy Dog Day: The joy of sharing photos of your muddy dog lies in the earthy, carefree moments that capture their playful spirit.
• Frankenstein Friday: A brilliant mind's creation, cobbled together with parts from the dearly departed, ultimately questioning the boundaries of life and science.
• National Unity Day: National Unity Day, known as Rashtriya Ekta Diwas, celebrates the spirit of unity in India. This day honors Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, a key figure in the country's history. Patel, known as the 'Iron Man of India,' played a crucial role in uniting the nation's princely states. The day is marked...
• Girl Scout Founder’s Day: With more than 100 years of history, the Girl Scouts of the USA have been encouraging girls to grow in their skills, cooperation and passions. With an emphasis on investing in girls and young women who can lead well into the future, the founding of the Girl Scouts has made...
• World Cities Day: World Cities Day is a day that focuses on the future of urbanization and its impact on our lives. It's a time to reflect on the role cities play in creating a sustainable world where everyone can live in harmony and prosperity. The United Nations established World Cities Day to highlight the...
• National Knock Knock Joke Day: Every October 31st, people everywhere celebrate National Knock Knock Joke Day. This day shines a light on one of the simplest yet most beloved forms of humor. Knock-knock jokes, with their unique call-and-response format, have tickled funny bones for ages. They are easy to tell and understand, making them perfect...
• World Lemur Day: Playful, wide-eyed acrobats of the treetops, lemurs embody the lively spirit of Madagascar's enchanting ecosystems.
• Books For Treats Day: Books For Treats Day is a sweet little twist on tradition. Instead of tossing candy into trick-or-treat bags, people hand out books—yep, real stories with pages to flip and characters to meet. It’s like giving a mini-adventure instead of a sugar rush. Kids still get that thrill of surprise, but...
• Lutefisk Day: Crack open the door to any Scandinavian community hall in winter, and you might catch a whiff of something unforgettable. That’s the Lutefisk dish and Lutefisk Day celebrates its unique appeal. It’s dried white fish—usually cod—brought back to life through a curious process involving water and lye. After plenty of rinsing...
• National Doorbell Day: National Doorbell Day celebrates the familiar chimes that announce visitors at our doors. This observance highlights the role of doorbells in our daily lives, especially during festive times when they ring more than usual. It's a day to appreciate how this simple device connects us with friends, family, and neighbors.​ The...
• Saci Day: Saci Day celebrates a mischievous figure from Brazilian folklore, Saci-Pererê, who stirs up fun and magic with his legendary antics. Known for his red cap and one-legged leaps, this playful character is beloved across Brazil. On this day, communities embrace their rich folklore, filled with mythical creatures like Saci. It's...
• Halloween: Get ready for a spooky good time this Halloween! Dress up in your favorite costume and indulge in sweet treats, creepy decorations, and thrilling scares. Don't miss out on the fun!
• Nevada Day: The Silver State, known for its desert landscapes, vibrant entertainment in the desert oasis, and a slice of the American frontier.
• Reformation Day: Reformation Day marks a momentous shift in the religious landscape. It highlights a turning point when ideas about faith and worship changed dramatically. The day stands as a reminder of those who challenged established norms, leading to lasting changes. This event stirred people across Europe, eventually reaching around the globe...
• Shampoo Week: Shampoo Week is a lively celebration of hair care, happening annually from the last week of October into November. It highlights the importance of keeping our hair clean, healthy, and shiny. Haircare enthusiasts come together to raise awareness about good shampoo habits and promote products that nourish different hair types. Celebrated...
• Global Media and Information Literacy Week: Have you ever felt overwhelmed by the vast amount of information available online? Media and Information Literacy (MIL) equips you with the skills to navigate and evaluate this information effectively. It helps you distinguish between credible news and misleading content, enhancing your ability to make informed decisions. Therefore, every year, from...
• Samhain: Samhain is a vibrant festival that marks the end of the harvest and the onset of winter. Samhain is celebrated from October 31 to November 1. It is a time when the veil between the living and the dead is believed to be at its thinnest. During Samhain, people believed...
• Red Ribbon Week: Touching millions of people around the world since its inception, Red Ribbon Week encourages everyone, particularly high school and college students, to celebrate a lifestyle that is drug-free! History of Red Ribbon Week Red Ribbon Week is an initiative that started back in 1985 when it was launched in California. Eventually...
• Bat Appreciation Week: Did you know that bats are not just Halloween symbols but fascinating creatures that play a crucial role in our ecosystem? Bat Appreciation Week, celebrated annually from October 24th to 31st, highlights bats' importance and promotes their conservation​. Bats are essential for maintaining healthy ecosystems. They help control insect populations, pollinate...

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