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
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
1963day.year
Indiana State Fairgrounds Coliseum gas explosion: A gas explosion at the Indiana State Fairgrounds Coliseum in Indianapolis kills 81 people and injures another 400 during an ice show.
A sudden gas explosion at the Indiana State Fairgrounds Coliseum ice show kills 81 people and injures hundreds more.
On October 31, 1963, an unexpected gas leak ignited inside the Indiana State Fairgrounds Coliseum during a popular ice show in Indianapolis. The resulting explosion demolished the south end of the arena, sending shockwaves that shattered windows and threw debris into the crowd. Eighty-one spectators lost their lives instantly, making it one of the deadliest arena disasters in U.S. history. Another 400 people suffered injuries ranging from burns to crush wounds as panic spread through the venue. Emergency responders faced challenges navigating the wreckage and treating victims amid chaotic conditions. The tragedy led to sweeping reforms in building codes, gas safety regulations, and emergency evacuation procedures nationwide. Memorials and investigations underscored the importance of stringent safety standards at public events. The disaster remains a somber reminder of the need for rigorous safety oversight.
1963
Indiana State Fairgrounds Coliseum gas explosion
gas explosion
Indiana State Fairgrounds Coliseum
1979day.year
Western Airlines Flight 2605 crashes on landing in Mexico City, killing 73 people.
Western Airlines Flight 2605 crashed while landing in Mexico City in 1979, killing 73 people.
On October 31, 1979, Western Airlines Flight 2605 attempted to land at Mexico City's Benito Juárez International Airport during heavy rain and low visibility. The DC-10 touched down on a closed runway under construction and collided with vehicles and barricades on the tarmac. The impact caused a deadly fire that claimed 73 lives out of 88 passengers and crew. Investigations cited pilot miscommunication, poor runway markings, and inadequate weather reporting as contributing factors. The tragedy prompted significant improvements in airport safety protocols and runway signage throughout Mexico.
1979
Western Airlines Flight 2605
Mexico City
1994day.year
American Eagle Flight 4184 crashes near Roselawn, Indiana killing all 68 people on board.
American Eagle Flight 4184 crashed near Roselawn, Indiana on October 31, 1994, killing all 68 people aboard.
On October 31, 1994, American Eagle Flight 4184, an ATR-72 turboprop, encountered freezing precipitation en route from Indianapolis to Chicago. Ice accumulation caused the wing to stall, and the aircraft rolled inverted before crashing into an open field near Roselawn, Indiana. All 64 passengers and four crew members perished instantly in the accident. The National Transportation Safety Board determined that inadequate deicing procedures and design vulnerabilities in the wing's structure contributed to the loss of control. Following the crash, new regulations for turboprop anti-icing systems and pilot training were implemented to prevent similar tragedies.
1994
American Eagle Flight 4184
Roselawn, Indiana
1996day.year
TAM Transportes Aéreos Regionais Flight 402 crashes in São Paulo, Brazil, killing 99 people.
TAM Flight 402 crashed shortly after takeoff from São Paulo on October 31, 1996, killing 99 people.
On October 31, 1996, TAM Transportes Aéreos Regionais Flight 402, a Fokker 100 jet, suffered an uncommanded thrust reverser deployment on one engine moments after lifting off from São Paulo's Congonhas Airport. The crew lost control as the aircraft stalled and pitched up, crashing into a residential building in the Vila Pirajussara district. All 96 passengers and three crew members aboard the flight were killed, along with two people on the ground. Brazilian investigators identified a mechanical failure in the thrust reverser system and inadequate maintenance practices as primary causes. The disaster led to enhanced safety protocols for thrust reverser inspections and overhaul processes.
1996
TAM Transportes Aéreos Regionais Flight 402
São Paulo, Brazil
1999day.year
EgyptAir Flight 990 crashes into the Atlantic Ocean near Nantucket, killing all 217 people on board.
EgyptAir Flight 990 crashed into the Atlantic near Nantucket on October 31, 1999, killing all 217 people aboard.
On October 31, 1999, EgyptAir Flight 990, a Boeing 767 en route from New York to Cairo, suddenly plunged into the Atlantic Ocean off Nantucket, Massachusetts. All 203 passengers and 14 crew members perished in the crash. The U.S. National Transportation Safety Board concluded that deliberate actions by the relief first officer caused the aircraft's descent, a finding disputed by Egyptian authorities. The investigation spurred international debate over pilot mental health, cockpit voice recordings, and differences in accident investigation standards. The disaster remains one of the deadliest in EgyptAir's history.
EgyptAir Flight 990
2000day.year
Singapore Airlines Flight 006 crashes on takeoff from Taipei, killing 83.
Singapore Airlines Flight 006 crashed on takeoff from Taipei on October 31, 2000, killing 83 people.
On October 31, 2000, Singapore Airlines Flight 006, a Boeing 747-400, attempted to depart Taipei's Chiang Kai-shek International Airport during a typhoon. The aircraft mistakenly used a closed and under-construction runway, colliding with construction vehicles and barriers. The impact ruptured fuel tanks and ignited a fierce fire that claimed 83 of the 179 passengers and crew aboard. Investigators cited pilot error and extremely poor visibility as the primary causes. The accident led to major revisions in runway safety protocols and severe weather departure procedures at international airports.
Singapore Airlines Flight 006
Taipei
2014day.year
During a test flight, the VSS Enterprise, a Virgin Galactic experimental spaceflight test vehicle, suffers a catastrophic in-flight breakup and crashes in the Mojave Desert, California.
During a 2014 test flight over the Mojave Desert, Virgin Galactic's VSS Enterprise broke up mid-air and crashed, devastating the emerging space tourism program.
On October 31, 2014, the VSS Enterprise, an experimental spaceplane by Virgin Galactic, experienced a high-altitude in-flight breakup over the Mojave Desert in California. The vehicle disintegrated seconds after release from its carrier aircraft, killing one pilot and seriously injuring the other. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) determined that a premature unlocking of the feathering system led to aerodynamic failure. This accident marked the first fatality in the commercial spaceflight industry and halted Virgin Galactic’s test flights. The tragedy prompted comprehensive reviews of safety protocols, design modifications, and regulatory oversight for private space ventures. Despite setbacks, Virgin Galactic reaffirmed its commitment to pioneering safe space tourism.
2014
VSS Enterprise
Virgin Galactic
catastrophic in-flight breakup
crashes
Mojave Desert
California