October 31
Overview
Holidays & Observances
Christianfeast day:
Alphonsus Rodriguez, Ampliatus, Begu, Erc of Slane(inCornwall), Foillan(inNamur), Martin Luther(Anglican Communion), Paul Shinji SasakiandPhilip Lindel Tsen(Episcopal Church), Quentin, BlessedTheodore Romzha(Ruthenian Catholic Church), Wolfgang of Regensburg, October 31 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics)
Christian feast day honoring multiple saints and martyrs across various Christian traditions on October 31.
Día de la Canción Criolla(Peru)
An annual celebration in Peru honoring the rich tradition of Creole music on October 31.
Earliest day on whichAll Saints Daycan fall, while November 6 is the latest; celebrated on Saturday between October 31 and November 6 (Finland, Sweden)
The earliest possible observance of All Saints Day in Finland and Sweden, falling on October 31 when celebrated on the Saturday between October 31 and November 6.
Halloween and related celebrations:
Allantide(Cornwall), Halloween(Ireland, Canada, United Kingdom, United States andother places), Hop-tu-Naa(Isle of Man), Samhainin the Northern Hemisphere,Beltanein the Southern Hemisphere; begins on sunset of October 31 (Gaels,Welsh peopleandNeopaganWheel of the Year), The first day of theDay of the Dead, celebrated until November 2 (Mexico)
A pan-cultural observance of Halloween and related festivals rooted in Celtic traditions and celebrated worldwide on October 31.
Girl Scouts Founders Day(United States)
A day to honor Juliette Gordon Low and the founding of the Girl Scouts of the USA on October 31.
King Father's Birthday(Cambodia)
A national holiday in Cambodia honoring the birthday of the late King Norodom Sihanouk on October 31.
National Unity Day(India)
An annual observance in India honoring the birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and promoting national unity on October 31.
Reformation Day(Slovenia, parts ofGermany,Chile, variousProtestant churcheswith a particular emphasis inLutheranandReformedones)
An annual observance on October 31 marking the anniversary of Martin Luther’s 95 Theses and the beginning of the Protestant Reformation.
Saci Day(Brazil)
A cultural celebration in Brazil honoring Saci, the iconic one-legged trickster from Afro-Brazilian folklore, on October 31.
Events
Romulus Augustulus is proclaimed Western Roman Emperor.
Romulus Augustulus is proclaimed Western Roman Emperor, becoming the last ruler of the Western Roman Empire.
During the Siege of Mecca, the Kaaba catches fire and is burned down.
The Kaaba burns down during the Siege of Mecca in 683, suffering significant damage.
Empress Irene is deposed and banished to Lesbos. Conspirators place Nikephoros, the minister of finance, on the Byzantine throne.
In 802, Empress Irene is overthrown and exiled while Nikephoros is installed as Byzantine Emperor.
Abbasid caliph al-Muqtadir is killed while fighting against the forces of general Mu'nis al-Muzaffar. Al-Muqtadir's brother al-Qahir is chosen to succeed him.
In 932, Caliph al-Muqtadir is killed in battle and succeeded by his brother al-Qahir.
Protestant Reformation: Martin Luther posts his 95 Theses on the door of the Castle Church in Wittenberg.
Martin Luther nails his 95 Theses to the Castle Church door, igniting the Protestant Reformation.
Leiden University Library opens its doors after its founding in 1575.
Leiden University Library opens to scholars for the first time in 1587.
Emperor Agustín de Iturbide attempts to dissolve the Congress of the Mexican Empire.
In 1822, Emperor Iturbide tries to dissolve Mexico's Congress to consolidate power.
Approximately 300 Muscogee die in the steamboat Monmouth disaster on the Trail of Tears in the United States.
Some 300 Muscogee people perish when the steamboat Monmouth sinks during the Trail of Tears.
The New Zealand Wars resume as British forces in New Zealand led by General Duncan Cameron begin their Invasion of the Waikato.
British forces begin the Invasion of the Waikato in 1863, renewing the New Zealand Wars.
Births
Ferdinand I
Ferdinand I (1345–1383) was King of Portugal from 1367 until his death, known for his diplomatic efforts and pivotal role in maintaining Portuguese independence.
Edward
Edward (1391–1438), known as the Philosopher King, ruled Portugal from 1433 and championed learning, exploration, and legal reform.
Władysław III
Władysław III (1424–1444) became King of Poland at age ten and later King of Hungary, remembered for leading a crusade against the Ottomans and falling at the Battle of Varna.
Hedwig
Hedwig (1445–1511) served as Princess-Abbess of Quedlinburg, governing a semi-independent abbey-principality of the Holy Roman Empire for over 50 years.
Wang Yangming
Wang Yangming (1472–1529) was a leading Chinese Neo-Confucian philosopher, famed for his teachings on the unity of knowledge and action and the concept of innate moral intuition.
Henriette of Cleves
Henriette of Cleves (1542–1601) was a French noblewoman who became Duchess of Nevers and Countess of Rethel, noted for her influential role in courtly politics and patronage of the arts.
Denzil Holles
Denzil Holles (1599–1680), 1st Baron Holles, was an English statesman and one of the Five Members whose attempted arrest by Charles I precipitated the English Civil War.
John Evelyn
John Evelyn (1620–1706) was an English writer, gardener, and founding fellow of the Royal Society, renowned for his influential works on forestry and cultivation.
Johannes Vermeer
Johannes Vermeer (1632–1675) was a Dutch Golden Age painter celebrated for his masterful use of light and intimate domestic scenes such as 'Girl with a Pearl Earring'.
Deaths
Al-Muqtadir
The 18th Abbasid caliph who reigned from 908 to 932. His rule was defined by palace intrigue and the growing power of military factions.
Wolfgang of Regensburg
A medieval German bishop renowned for his church reforms and missionary work in Central Europe.
Abe no Seimei
Japan’s legendary court astrologer and diviner whose mystical prowess inspired centuries of folklore.
Deokjong
The third monarch of Korea’s Goryeo dynasty, noted for administrative reforms and support of Confucian scholarship.
Robert
An influential 12th-century English noble and military leader who championed Empress Matilda during The Anarchy.
Eleanor of England
A 12th-century English princess who became Queen Consort of Castile through her strategic marriage.
Ricold of Monte Croce
A 13th-century Italian Dominican missionary who spread the order’s teachings throughout Europe.
Marie of Évreux
A French noblewoman who served as Duchess Consort of Brabant in the early 14th century.
John VIII Palaiologos
The penultimate Byzantine emperor who sought Western aid to preserve Constantinople against Ottoman threats.