Fact 1: National Candy Corn Day
Did you know that October 30th is National Candy Corn Day in the United States? This tri-colored candy is a Halloween staple with a history that goes back over 100 years. Every year, more than 9 billion kernels of these sugary delights are produced, primarily in October to cater to the Halloween market.
Fact 2: Birth of War of the Worlds
October 30, 1938, was the day when Orson Welles' "The War of the Worlds" radio broadcast aired. The science fiction drama, mistaken as a real news broadcast about a Martian invasion, caused widespread panic and chaos among listeners in the United States.
Fact 3: A Leap Second Day
On October 30, 2005, the world gained an extra second. This event, known as a "leap second," is used occasionally by the International Earth Rotation and Reference Systems Service to keep our atomic clocks in sync with the Earth's slowly changing rotation.
Fact 4: A Notable Historical Anniversary
The Treaty of Sanjaya was signed on October 30th, 1527. This treaty affirmed King John III of Portugal's support of the Catholic Church's missionary efforts in the East Indies, setting the stage for the expansion of Catholicism in Indonesia.
Fact 5: An Infamous Train Wreck
The infamous Staplehurst rail crash in England, in which Charles Dickens was one of the survivors, happened on October 30, 1865. This event significantly impacted Dickens' life and work, marking a crucial moment in his creative life.
Fact 6: Greek National Day
Every October 30th, Greeks celebrate their National Day. This public holiday, also known as 'Oxi Day', commemorates Greece's refusal to surrender to Italy during World War II in 1940.
Fact 7: Famous Birthdays
October 30 is the birth date of several notable personalities like American Founding Father John Adams, American journalist Jane Pauley, and actor Henry Winkler, famously known as "The Fonz" from the television series "Happy Days."
Fact 8: The Arrival of The Statue of Liberty
On October 30th, 1886, France gifted America with The Statue of Liberty. It was a symbol of freedom and democracy, and the event was marked by multitudes of New Yorkers witnessing the dedication ceremony.
Fact 9: Start of the Internet Era
On October 30, 1969, the first-ever computer-to-computer link was established on ARPANET, the precursor to the Internet.
Fact 10: Andrew Fisher Became Australian PM
Andrew Fisher became the fifth Prime Minister of Australia on October 30, 1915, and was the first Australian Labor Party Prime Minister to form a majority government.
Fact 11: A Halloween Eve
October 30th is also known as "Mischief Night," or "Devil's Night," when pranksters traditionally make minor trouble on the eve of Halloween.
Fact 12: A Bookish Day
In Sweden, October 30th is known as "The Day of the Library." It's a special day dedicated to the appreciation and celebration of libraries and the essential role they play in society.
Fact 13: A Night of Walpurgis
In Germany, October 30th is celebrated as "Walpurgisnacht," a night when it's believed that witches meet on the Brocken, the highest peak in the Harz Mountains.
Fact 14: A Day of the Dead
In Mexico, the Day of the Dead celebrations begin from October 30th and continue till November 2nd. It is a time when families remember, honor, and celebrate their deceased loved ones.
Fact 15: Macedonian Flag Day
October 30th is Flag Day in Macedonia. This day of observance was initiated in 2008, and it marks the official acceptance of their national flag by the United Nations.
Fact 16: Name your Car Day
Yes, you're reading it correctly. October 30th is officially dubbed "Name Your Car Day". It's a fun day to give your vehicle a name, if it doesn’t have one yet.
Fact 17: A Day Dedicated To Checklist
October 30th is also national Checklist Day, a day dedicated to those helpful lists that ensure we don't forget anything important in our daily lives.
Fact 18: Death of Harry Houdini
Internationally renowned magician and escape artist Harry Houdini died on October 30, 1926, which was also Halloween Eve. His death, just as his life, is surrounded by mysteries and conspiracy theories.
Fact 19: Set of A Lunar Calendar
In 2004 on October 30th, the Lunar Calendar of the Thangka was set. This is a calendar that follows the lunar cycle, commonly used in Tibet and Nepal.
Fact 20: First Female spacewalking team
On October 30, 2021, the first-ever female spacewalking team, Christina Koch and Jessica Meir, took a spacewalk outside the International Space Station marking history.