October 31

Events

475day.year

Romulus Augustulus is proclaimed Western Roman Emperor.

Romulus Augustulus is proclaimed Western Roman Emperor, becoming the last ruler of the Western Roman Empire.
In 475, the Western Roman Empire was in deep decline as internal strife and external pressures mounted. On October 31, Romulus Augustulus, a young nobleman, was proclaimed Western Roman Emperor by his father Orestes. His elevation marked the final installment of a line of emperors that once ruled vast territories across Europe and North Africa. Despite his lofty title, Romulus held little real power beyond the Italian peninsula. His reign lasted only until the following year, when he was deposed by the Germanic chieftain Odoacer. His overthrow is traditionally regarded as the end of the Western Roman Empire and the beginning of the medieval age.
475 Romulus Augustulus Western Roman Emperor
683day.year

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.
During the second Fitna, the Siege of Mecca was a fierce clash for Islam's holiest site. On October 31, 683, intense fighting triggered a fire that engulfed the Kaaba, the sacred cubic structure at the center of the Grand Mosque. Flames consumed the wooden roof and ornate decorations, shocking pilgrims and residents alike. The Umayyad caliph Abd al-Malik oversaw a swift reconstruction of the shrine. This event left a lasting mark on Islamic architecture and communal memory.
683 Siege of Mecca Kaaba
802day.year

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.
In 802, Byzantine court intrigue brought an abrupt end to Empress Irene's reign. On October 31, palace conspirators deposed Irene and banished her to the island of Lesbos. They installed Nikephoros, the capable finance minister, on the imperial throne. Nikephoros pledged to strengthen the empire's finances and military after years of turmoil. His accession ended a rare chapter of female rule in Byzantium.
802 Irene Lesbos Nikephoros Byzantine
932day.year

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.
On October 31, 932, the Abbasid Caliphate in Baghdad was convulsed by violent power struggles. Caliph al-Muqtadir personally led his forces against the powerful commander Mu'nis al-Muzaffar. During the battle, al-Muqtadir was killed, creating a sudden leadership void. Within hours, his brother al-Qahir was proclaimed the new caliph. The swift succession highlighted the fragility of Abbasid authority and court politics. This episode foreshadowed the caliphate's long decline and fragmentation.
932 Abbasid caliph al-Muqtadir Mu'nis al-Muzaffar al-Qahir
1517day.year

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.
Martin Luther's bold act on October 31, 1517 ignited the Protestant Reformation. He nailed his Ninety-five Theses to the door of the Castle Church in Wittenberg, challenging the Catholic Church's practice of selling indulgences. The document criticized church corruption and called for theological debate. Thanks to the recently invented printing press, Luther's ideas spread rapidly across Europe. His protest sparked religious, political, and social upheaval that would reshape Western civilization. The Reformation's ripple effects are still felt in modern Christianity.
1517 Protestant Reformation Martin Luther 95 Theses Castle Church Wittenberg
1587day.year

Leiden University Library opens its doors after its founding in 1575.

Leiden University Library opens to scholars for the first time in 1587.
Leiden University Library opened its doors on October 31, 1587 as the first university library in the Netherlands. Although the university was founded in 1575, assembling a comprehensive collection took over a decade. The opening ceremony underscored Leiden's commitment to scholarly excellence during the Dutch Revolt. The library quickly became a magnet for thinkers, housing manuscripts and early printed books from across Europe. Its establishment helped usher in the Dutch Golden Age of science and culture.
1587 Leiden University Library 1575
1822day.year

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.
On October 31, 1822, Emperor Agustín de Iturbide moved to dissolve Mexico's constituent congress. He sought to centralize power and stabilize the newly independent empire he had helped create. However, his unilateral decision provoked resistance from republican factions and regional leaders. The political backlash accelerated Iturbide's downfall and led to his abdication in March 1823. This crisis illustrated the challenges of forging governance in post-colonial Mexico.
1822 Agustín de Iturbide Mexican Empire
1837day.year

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.
On October 31, 1837, tragedy struck during the forced relocation of Native American tribes known as the Trail of Tears. The steamboat Monmouth, carrying members of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation, capsized on the Mississippi River amid hazardous conditions. Rough waters and an overloaded vessel led to the deaths of approximately 300 people, many of them women and children. The disaster highlighted the perils faced by Indigenous communities during their removal westward. Survivors were left traumatized as they continued their harsh journey to Indian Territory. The sinking of the Monmouth remains one of the deadliest single losses of life on the Trail of Tears.
1837 Muscogee steamboat Monmouth disaster Trail of Tears
1863day.year

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.
British colonial forces launched the Invasion of the Waikato on October 31, 1863, marking a pivotal phase in the New Zealand Wars. Led by General Duncan Cameron, the campaign aimed to dismantle the Maori King Movement and secure fertile lands for European settlers. Fierce battles along both banks of the Waikato River tested the resolve of British troops and Maori defenders. The invasion relied on artillery and naval support to breach fortified positions. Its success enabled large-scale land confiscations that reshaped New Zealand's demographic landscape. The conflict's legacy still influences discussions about land rights and treaty obligations.
1863 New Zealand Wars British Duncan Cameron Invasion of the Waikato
1864day.year

Nevada is admitted as the 36th U.S. state.

Nevada becomes the 36th U.S. state on October 31, 1864, during the Civil War.
Nevada was admitted to the Union as the 36th state on October 31, 1864, during the American Civil War. Nicknamed the 'Battle Born State,' Nevada's swift statehood was rushed to bolster Union political power in Congress. The discovery of the Comstock Lode in 1859 had drawn a large influx of miners and entrepreneurs to the territory. Nevada's silver output provided crucial financial support for the Union war effort. President Abraham Lincoln signed the statehood proclamation just weeks before his reelection. Nevada's admission demonstrated how frontier regions could influence national politics in times of crisis.
1864 Nevada U.S. state
1895day.year

The strongest earthquake in the Midwestern United States since 1812 strikes near Charleston, Missouri, causing damage and killing at least two.

On October 31, 1895, a powerful earthquake struck near Charleston, Missouri, marking the strongest tremor in the U.S. Midwest since 1812. It caused widespread damage and claimed at least two lives.
On October 31, 1895, the most powerful earthquake recorded in the Midwestern United States since 1812 struck near Charleston, Missouri. Witnesses reported violent shaking that toppled chimneys, cracked walls, and shattered windows across town. The tremor was felt hundreds of miles away in cities such as St. Louis and Memphis. Rescue teams were dispatched to search for survivors amid debris and rubble. The disaster caused considerable structural damage to homes and public buildings. At least two residents lost their lives, and dozens were injured. The event prompted scientists of the newly formed U.S. Geological Survey to study seismic activity in regions not commonly associated with earthquakes. It remains one of the most significant seismic events in American heartland history.
1895 strikes near Charleston, Missouri
1903day.year

The Purdue Wreck, a railroad train collision in Indianapolis, kills 17 people, including 14 players of the Purdue University football team.

On October 31, 1903, a tragic railroad collision in Indianapolis, known as the Purdue Wreck, killed 17 people, including 14 members of the Purdue University football team.
The Purdue Wreck occurred when two special excursion trains carrying the Purdue University football team collided head-on on the Pennsylvania Railroad tracks near Indianapolis. School and visiting fans were aboard two densely packed trains that misaligned on a single-track section. The collision resulted in 17 deaths and over 60 injuries, making it one of the deadliest railway accidents in U.S. sports history. Fourteen of the deceased were Purdue players returning home after a game. The tragedy shocked the nation and led to improvements in rail safety and operational protocols, including better scheduling and communication systems. Memorial services were held on campus, and a permanent monument now stands in Lafayette to honor those who perished. The disaster left a lasting legacy on college athletics and railway transportation standards.
1903 Purdue Wreck Indianapolis Purdue University