Today in History graphic for October 4 featuring Mount Rushmore under construction, the Sputnik 1 satellite, and the massive 2021 Facebook social media outage.

October 4 in History: Mount Rushmore Begins, Sputnik Launches & Facebook Goes Dark

Scott Winters October 4, 2026

Discover what happened on October 4 in history as groundbreaking achievements transformed science and technology, television favorites made their debuts, historic milestones changed communication and transportation, and remarkable events helped shape the world we know today.

What Happened on October 4 in History?

On this day, work began on Mount Rushmore, the Soviet Union launched Sputnik 1 and ushered in the Space Age, Leave It to Beaver premiered on television, and a massive outage knocked Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp offline.

OCTOBER 4 – TODAY IN HISTORY:

1582 – October 4 was followed by October 15 in Italy, Spain, Portugal and ot.her countries adopting the new Gregorian calendar. Ten dates were skipped to correct errors that had accumulated under the Julian calendar.

1636 – The General Court of Plymouth Colony instituted one of the first comprehensive legal codes in North America. It guaranteed trial by jury and declared that laws were to be made with the consent of the colony’s freemen.

1777 – American forces led by General George Washington attacked British troops at the Battle of Germantown during the Revolutionary War. The complicated surprise attack ultimately ended in an American defeat.

1895 – The first U.S. Open golf tournament took place in Newport, RI.

1909 – The first airship race in the U.S. took place in St. Louis, MO.

1915 – Dinosaur National Monument was established, protecting an area along the Utah-Colorado border known for its remarkable concentration of dinosaur fossils.

1927 – Gutzon Borglum began carving on Mount Rushmore in South Dakota.

1931 – The Chester Gould comic strip “Dick Tracy” made its debut in the Detroit Daily Mirror.

1933 – “Esquire” magazine was published for the first time.

1957 – The television show Leave It to Beaver, starring Jerry Mathers as Theodore “Beaver” Cleaver, debuted on CBS. The series later moved to ABC and ran for six seasons.

1957 – The Soviet Union launched Sputnik 1, the world’s first artificial satellite, beginning the Space Age and helping ignite the Space Race between the Soviet Union and the United States.

1958 – British Overseas Airways Corporation began the world’s first regularly scheduled transatlantic jet passenger service, flying de Havilland Comet 4 jets between London and New York.

1965 – Pope Paul VI arrived in New York, becoming the first pope to visit the United States. During his historic visit, he addressed the United Nations.

1976 – Barbara Walters joined Harry Reasoner at the anchor desk of ABC Evening News, becoming the first woman to co-anchor an evening network television newscast.

1983 – Richard Noble set a new land speed record of 633.468 mph while driving Thrust2 across Nevada’s Black Rock Desert.

1986 – CBS News anchor Dan Rather was attacked in New York by a man repeatedly asking, “Kenneth, what is the frequency?” The bizarre incident later inspired R.E.M.’s song “What’s the Frequency, Kenneth?”

1987 – NFL teams used replacement players during a players’ strike.

1988 – Televangelist Jim Bakker was indicted on federal fraud and conspiracy charges.

1990 – Beverly Hills, 90210 debuted on Fox. The series became one of the defining television shows of the 1990s and remained on the air for ten seasons.

1997 – Hundreds of thousands of men attended a Promise Keepers rally on the National Mall in Washington, DC.

1997 – Farm Aid ’97 raised more than $1 million to assist American family farmers.

1997 – The second-largest cash robbery in U.S. history occurred at the Loomis Fargo facility in Charlotte, NC. Thieves made off with $17.3 million, although authorities eventually recovered most of the money.

1998 – A major Vincent van Gogh exhibition opened at the National Gallery of Art in Washington, DC, featuring more than 70 of the artist’s paintings.

2001 – Barry Bonds hit his 70th home run of the season, tying Mark McGwire’s Major League Baseball single-season record.

2001 – Rickey Henderson scored the 2,246th run of his career, breaking Ty Cobb’s Major League record.

2001 – Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport reopened for commercial flights after being closed since the September 11 terrorist attacks.

2004 – SpaceShipOne completed its second successful spaceflight within two weeks, winning the $10 million Ansari X Prize and demonstrating that a privately funded reusable spacecraft could carry people into space.

2005 – Jim Leyland was named manager of the Detroit Tigers. He would lead the Tigers to two American League pennants during his eight seasons with the team.

2006 – The WikiLeaks.org domain was registered. The organization later became internationally known for publishing leaked and classified documents.

2013 – The movie Gravity, starring Sandra Bullock and George Clooney, premiered in U.S. theaters. The film would win seven Academy Awards.

2021 – Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp and Messenger suffered a massive worldwide outage that lasted about six hours, temporarily making some of the world’s largest social media platforms inaccessible.

CELEBRITY BIRTHDAYS ON OCTOBER 4:

Leroy Van Dyke – 97 years old (1929) – Singer-songwriter and guitarist

Felicia Farr – 94 years old (1932) – Actress and model

David Crocker – 89 years old (1937) – Philosopher and academic

Lloyd Green – 89 years old (1937) – Steel guitar player

Steve Swallow – 86 years old (1940) – Bass player and composer

Roy Blount Jr. – 85 years old (1941) – Humorist and journalist

Karen Cushman – 85 years old (1941) – Author

Tony La Russa – 82 years old (1944) – Baseball player and manager

Clifton Davis – 81 years old (1945) – Singer-songwriter, actor, and minister

Chuck Hagel – 80 years old (1946) – Sergeant and politician, 24th United States Secretary of Defense

Michael Mullen – 80 years old (1946) – Admiral

Susan Sarandon – 80 years old (1946) – Actress and activist

Jim Fielder – 79 years old (1947) – Bass player

Linda McMahon – 78 years old (1948) – Businesswoman and politician

Duke Robillard – 78 years old (1948) – Singer-songwriter and guitarist

Armand Assante – 77 years old (1949) – Actor and producer

Stephen Gyllenhaal – 77 years old (1949) – Director, producer, and screenwriter

Alan Rosenberg – 76 years old (1950) – Actor

Truck Robinson – 75 years old (1951) – Basketball player and coach

Anita DeFrantz – 74 years old (1952) – Rower and sports administrator

Jody Stephens – 74 years old (1952) – Rock drummer

Charlie Leibrandt – 70 years old (1956) – Baseball player

Sherri Turner – 70 years old (1956) – Golfer

Bill Fagerbakke – 69 years old (1957) – Actor

Russell Simmons – 69 years old (1957) – Businessman, founded Def Jam Recordings and Phat Farm

Barbara Kooyman – 68 years old (1958) – Singer-songwriter and guitarist

Wendy Makkena – 68 years old (1958) – Actress

Joe Boever – 66 years old (1960) – Baseball player

Jon Secada – 65 years old (1961) – Cuban-American singer-songwriter

A. C. Green – 63 years old (1963) – Basketball player

Skip Heller – 61 years old (1965) – Singer-songwriter, guitarist, and producer

Micky Ward – 61 years old (1965) – Boxer

Vicky Bullett – 59 years old (1967) – Basketball player and coach

Liev Schreiber – 59 years old (1967) – Actor and director

Tim Wise – 58 years old (1968) – Activist and author

Abraham Benrubi – 57 years old (1969) – Actor

M. Ward – 53 years old (1973) – Singer-songwriter

Alicia Silverstone – 50 years old (1976) – Actress, producer, and author

Dana Davis – 48 years old (1978) – Actress and author

Kyle Lohse – 48 years old (1978) – Baseball player

Rachael Leigh Cook – 47 years old (1979) – Actress

Sarah Fisher – 46 years old (1980) – Race car driver

James Jones – 46 years old (1980) – Basketball player

Justin Williams – 45 years old (1981) – Canadian-American ice hockey player

Tony Gwynn Jr. – 44 years old (1982) – Baseball player

Ilhan Omar – 44 years old (1982) – Politician

Jered Weaver – 44 years old (1982) – Baseball player

Kurt Suzuki – 43 years old (1983) – Baseball player

Melissa Benoist – 38 years old (1988) – Actress and singer

Lonnie Chisenhall – 38 years old (1988) – Baseball player

Derrick Rose – 38 years old (1988) – Basketball player

Dakota Johnson – 37 years old (1989) – Actress

Mike Williams – 32 years old (1994) – Football player

Kenny Clark – 31 years old (1995) – Football player

DAYS OF THE YEAR FOR OCTOBER 4:

National Vodka Day: Raise your glass and have a toast to one of the world’s most versatile spirits, vodka. Try infusing your own vodka, buying a new flavor, or making a new cocktail.
National Cinnamon Roll Day: Enjoyed the world over, these delectable Swedish morsels are every pastry-lover’s dream. Take a sumptuous bite on Cinnamon Roll Day!
St. Francis of Assisi Feast Day: Every year on October 4, people around the world celebrate St. Francis of Assisi Feast Day. It is a day dedicated to the life and virtues of St. Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of animals and the environment. This special day resonates with many due to its strong themes...
National Golf Lover’s Day: Fetch your clubs, hit the green and tee off in style on National Golf Lovers Day!
National Truckers Day: National Truckers Day is a vibrant celebration dedicated to the hard-working truck drivers who keep our economy moving. This day shines a spotlight on the essential role truckers play in delivering goods across the country. Their efforts ensure that store shelves stay stocked and essential supplies reach businesses and homes...
World Animal Day: Go vegetarian for a day, and consider the lives of all kinds of animals and the threat humans pose to them.
Improve Your Office Day: Improve your work life by improving your setting. Make sure your desk, office, even break room are not hectic or unpleasant places to work, but pleasant ones.
Change A Light Day: Save your electricity bill and the environment by switching to LED lights, which tend to use less energy and therefore are cheaper and more Earth-friendly.
Dysautonomia Awareness Month: Join or host a fundraising event, do your research, and help raise awareness about dysautonomia, a class of diseases affected the autonomic nervous system.
Ship in A Bottle Day: Originally created by sailors at sea, the time-honored art of putting a ship in a bottle is a difficult but rewarding hobby for anyone—and no, it’s not magic.
BPD Awareness Week: Raising understanding about a mental health condition, fostering empathy for those navigating the complexities of BPD.
National Good Buddy Day: Inspired by connectivity crackling through the airwaves, shared tales echo like a convoy's camaraderie—Good Buddy vibes resonate.
No Disposable Cup Day : Reducing waste and promoting sustainability, embracing reusable alternatives helps protect the environment for future generations.
Polenta Festival: The Polenta Festival is a lively celebration dedicated to the beloved cornmeal dish, polenta. Held in the heart of Storo, Italy, the festival fills the air with the aroma of rich, flavorful dishes. The historic center buzzes with excitement as both locals and visitors enjoy various versions of this traditional...
International Blessings of The Fishing Fleet Day: International Blessings of the Fishing Fleet Day brings people to the water’s edge, hearts full and eyes on the boats. Fishermen steer their vessels slowly past the dock. Each one carries more than nets—there’s hope on board, too. Priests or ministers walk along the pier, lifting their hands in prayer. They bless...
National Get Out N Drive Day: National Get Out N Drive Day encourages people to rediscover the joy of being behind the wheel. It’s not about racing or showing off, but about the thrill of motion, the hum of the engine, and the freedom of the open road. The day sparks appreciation for the cars we love...
National GOE Day: National GOE Day, which stands for Growth, Overcome, Empower, invites people to reflect on their own progress and inner strength. It’s about pausing to recognize how far we’ve come and what we’ve pushed through. Facing challenges brings change, and this day honors that process. Sharing stories, embracing growth, and encouraging...
Fairtrade Fortnight: Supporting Fairtrade, means contributing to a more sustainable and equitable global market. Plus, you get to enjoy some delicious products!
National Dance Week: Dancing is a pastime that has been part of human life and culture for thousands of years. Whether dancing during religious and cultural festivals or simply out of personal joy and delight, people have incorporated dance into life at every turn. National Dance Week aims to bring to public attention the...
National Manufacturing Week: National Manufacturing Week shines a spotlight on the manufacturing sector's vital role in the economy. Celebrated with events and activities, this week underscores the industry's contributions to innovation and job creation. It involves various organizations sharing data and insights, which helps highlight manufacturing's impact on daily life and the economy. This...
World Animal Week: Shining light on the silent plight, voices unite for the voiceless, fostering compassion, a global symphony against neglect.
Rtveli: Rtveli is a vibrant grape harvest festival celebrated across Georgia. It is a joyful blend of hard work and celebration. It's a time when people unite to collect the fruits of their labor and honor the cultural heritage of winemaking that has been cherished for generations. The festival extends beyond...
Fiesta de San Pacho: Fiesta de San Pacho is a vibrant celebration that fills the streets of Quibdó with music, dance, and color. The festival honors Saint Francis of Assisi, blending Catholic traditions with Afro-Colombian culture uniquely and joyfully. As the day unfolds, the city becomes a stage where people showcase their rich heritage...
World Day of Migrants and Refugees: They leave everything behind—homes, friends, even family. Forced to cross borders, they search for peace and safety. The World Day of Migrants and Refugees brings their stories into the spotlight. It reminds the world that behind every number stands a face, a voice, a dream. People on the move are...
Hispanic Heritage Month: Join an event, forum, or exhibition for Hispanic Heritage Month, and appreciate the art, history, and cultural offerings of this rich and expansive heritage.
Mental Illness Awareness Week: Mental Illness Awareness Week (MIAW) is an annual event that highlights mental health issues. It takes place during the first week of October and aims to educate and reduce stigma around mental illnesses. This initiative brings together individuals and organizations across the nation, highlighting the urgent need for dialogue and...
National Midwifery Week: Midwifery is a practice that has been around since ancient times, where an experienced person is called upon to assist and lead when a woman is giving birth. Having evolved over the years, midwives are now extremely skilled and go through rigorous training to give compassionate and competent care to...
Walk Your Dog Week: Take your dog out for a long walk and give you both some exercise, or volunteer to walk shelter dogs at a rescue or humane society—maybe you’ll take one home!
Fire Prevention Week: Head over to the NFPA (National Fire Protection Association) website to learn what you need to do to protect your home and community in case of a fire.
Healthcare Foodservice Workers Week: These superheroes of the hospital kitchen ensure patients receive delicious, nutritious meals, taking pride in boosting morale and recovery.