1538day.year
The Universidad Santo Tomás de Aquino is founded in what is now the Dominican Republic.
The University of Santo Tomás de Aquino, the first higher education institution in the Americas, is established in present-day Dominican Republic.
On October 28, 1538, Pope Paul III issued a papal bull founding the Universidad Santo Tomás de Aquino in Santo Domingo, marking the arrival of formal higher education in the New World. Established by the Dominican Order, it provided advanced instruction in theology, philosophy, and law. The university became a focal point for intellectual and cultural exchange between Europe and the Americas. Over time, it nurtured colonial leadership and contributed to the spread of Renaissance ideas in the Caribbean. Its founding set a precedent for further academic institutions across the Americas.
1538
Universidad Santo Tomás de Aquino
1636day.year
The Massachusetts Bay Colony votes to establish a theological college, which would later become Harvard University.
The Massachusetts Bay Colony authorizes the creation of a theological college, planting the seeds for Harvard University.
On October 28, 1636, the General Court of the Massachusetts Bay Colony voted to establish a 'schoale or colledge' to train clergy and civil leaders in the fledgling Puritan community. This institution, initially focused on theology and the classics, was later named Harvard College in honor of its first benefactor, John Harvard. As the first higher education establishment in North America, it set academic standards for the colonies and promoted learning as essential to civic life. Over centuries, Harvard would grow into a world-renowned university, shaping leaders in government, science, and the arts.
1636
Massachusetts Bay Colony
Harvard University
1965day.year
Pope Paul VI promulgates Nostra aetate, by which the Roman Catholic Church officially recognizes the legitimacy of non-Christian faiths.
In 1965, Pope Paul VI promulgated Nostra aetate, marking the first time the Roman Catholic Church officially recognized non-Christian religions.
Nostra aetate was issued on October 28, 1965, during the Second Vatican Council. It transformed the Church's stance toward other faiths, condemning discrimination and promoting interreligious dialogue. The declaration acknowledged truths in Judaism, Islam, Buddhism, and Hinduism, fostering a spirit of mutual respect. It paved the way for modern ecumenism and improved relations with non-Christian communities worldwide. Its legacy continues to influence Catholic teaching and global interfaith initiatives.
1965
Pope Paul VI
Nostra aetate
Roman Catholic Church
2006day.year
A funeral service takes place at the Bykivnia graves for Ukrainians who were killed by the Soviet secret police.
On October 28, 2006, Ukraine held a funeral service at the Bykivnia graves for victims of Soviet secret police executions.
The ceremony at Bykivnia Forest, near Kyiv, honored thousands of Ukrainians executed by the NKVD during Stalin's Great Terror. Mass graves were first uncovered in the 1970s, but official recognition and memorial services were only possible after Ukraine's independence. Survivors, relatives, and national leaders gathered to pay respects and call for historical justice. The event underscored efforts to confront Soviet-era repression and preserve the memory of those who suffered under totalitarian rule. Bykivnia became a symbol of remembrance and a site for ongoing historical research into political purges.
2006
Bykivnia graves