October 31

Events - Wars & Conflicts

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
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
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
1917day.year

World War I: Battle of Beersheba: The "last successful cavalry charge in history".

On October 31, 1917, during World War I, British and Commonwealth forces executed the last successful cavalry charge in military history at the Battle of Beersheba, securing a strategic Ottoman-held town in Palestine.
The Battle of Beersheba was a pivotal engagement in the Sinai and Palestine Campaign of World War I. British Empire forces, including a mounted division of Australian and New Zealand troops, launched a surprise attack at dawn to capture the heavily fortified Ottoman positions around Beersheba. After infantry assaults faltered, Winston Churchill’s 4th Light Horse Brigade was ordered to charge across open ground under machine-gun and rifle fire. The brigade swept through enemy defenses, overrunning the trenches and capturing critical wells that supplied the town with water. The success of the charge allowed Allied forces to advance on Gaza and ultimately break the Ottoman defensive line. Contemporary accounts hailed the action as the last great cavalry charge, symbolizing the end of an era in mounted warfare. The victory at Beersheba opened the road to Jerusalem and reshaped the campaign in the Middle East.
1917 World War I Battle of Beersheba
1940day.year

World War II: The Battle of Britain ends, causing Germany to abandon Operation Sea Lion.

The Royal Air Force secures victory in the Battle of Britain, forcing Germany to abandon its planned invasion of the United Kingdom.
After months of intense aerial combat, the Royal Air Force emerged victorious in the Battle of Britain on October 31, 1940. This decisive victory thwarted the Luftwaffe’s attempt to achieve air superiority over southern England. With German air raids failing to break British defenses, Adolf Hitler cancelled Operation Sea Lion, the code name for the planned invasion of Britain. The battle marked the first major defeat of Hitler’s military forces and boosted Allied morale. Advanced radar technology and the indomitable spirit of RAF pilots played critical roles. The outcome ensured that Britain remained a crucial base for future Allied operations. It also signaled that Germany’s expansionist ambitions could be checked by determined resistance.
1940 World War II Battle of Britain Operation Sea Lion
1941day.year

World War II: The destroyer USS Reuben James is torpedoed by a German U-boat near Iceland, killing more than 100 U.S. Navy sailors. It is the first U.S. Navy vessel sunk by enemy action in WWII.

The USS Reuben James becomes the first U.S. Navy ship sunk by enemy action in WWII after being torpedoed by a German U-boat near Iceland.
On October 31, 1941, the destroyer USS Reuben James was patrolling convoy routes near Iceland when it was struck by torpedoes fired from German submarine U-552. More than 100 sailors lost their lives in the attack, making it the first American naval vessel sunk by hostile forces in World War II. At the time, the United States had not yet officially entered the war, but was providing convoy escorts under the Lend-Lease Act. The tragedy galvanized public opinion and underscored the escalating dangers of the Atlantic theater. Survivors faced freezing Atlantic waters as rescue operations struggled against harsh weather conditions. The incident highlighted the strategic importance of convoy protection and anti-submarine warfare in the battle against the U-boat threat. The loss of the Reuben James is remembered as a pivotal moment in America’s path to full engagement in the global conflict.
USS Reuben James German U-boat Iceland
1943day.year

World War II: An F4U Corsair accomplishes the first successful radar-guided interception by a United States Navy or Marine Corps aircraft.

A Grumman F4U Corsair scores the first radar-guided aerial interception by U.S. naval forces during World War II.
On October 31, 1943, a Grumman F4U Corsair achieved a milestone for the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps by completing the first radar-guided interception of an enemy aircraft. This groundbreaking event showcased the effective use of airborne radar technology in combat, allowing pilots to detect and track targets beyond visual range. The integration of radar systems into fighter aircraft represented a significant leap in aerial warfare capabilities. Pilots received vector information from shore-based or shipboard radar operators, guiding them to their targets under challenging visibility conditions. This success enhanced the Navy’s night-fighting and all-weather interception potential, improving convoy protection and fleet air defense. The performance of the Corsair in this operation underscored its versatility and advanced design. It laid the foundation for post-war developments in radar-equipped fighter aircraft and modern aerial combat tactics.
1943 F4U Corsair radar United States Navy Marine Corps
1956day.year

Suez Crisis: The United Kingdom and France begin bombing Egypt to force the reopening of the Suez Canal.

Britain and France launch air strikes against Egypt in a bid to regain control of the Suez Canal during the Suez Crisis.
On October 31, 1956, British and French forces initiated a sustained bombing campaign over Egyptian targets to compel President Gamal Abdel Nasser to reopen the nationalized Suez Canal. The operation aimed to secure Western access to this vital maritime route and uphold colonial-era interests in the region. Despite international condemnation and mounting pressure from the United States and the Soviet Union, the Anglo-French assault sought to weaken Egyptian military capabilities. Key strategic sites, including airfields and military installations, were targeted in an effort to force political concessions. The bombing marked a climactic phase of the Suez Crisis, highlighting Cold War tensions and the waning influence of European colonial powers. The operation ultimately drew criticism at the United Nations and showcased the shifting dynamics of post-colonial geopolitics. The crisis accelerated discussions on sovereignty, decolonization, and superpower interventions in regional conflicts.
1956 Suez Crisis Egypt Suez Canal
1956day.year

Hungarian Revolution of 1956: A Revolutionary Headquarters is established in Hungary. Following Imre Nagy's announcement of October 30, banned non-Communist political parties are reformed, and the MDP is replaced by the MSZMP. József Mindszenty is released from prison. The Soviet Politburo makes the decision to crush the Revolution.

Revolutionary forces form a headquarters, revive banned parties, and spur Soviet resolve to crush the Hungarian uprising.
On October 31, 1956, participants in the Hungarian Revolution established a Revolutionary Headquarters to coordinate efforts against the Soviet-backed regime. Prime Minister Imre Nagy had already announced on the previous day the re-legalization of banned political parties, leading to the replacement of the ruling MDP with the Hungarian Socialist Workers' Party (MSZMP). Cardinal József Mindszenty, a symbol of resistance, was released from prison, further inspiring the uprising. Despite initial successes, the Soviet Politburo resolved to deploy military forces to crush the revolt and restore Communist control. This pivotal moment demonstrated the depth of Hungarian opposition to authoritarian rule and the strategic importance the USSR placed on maintaining its sphere of influence. The revolution’s suppression in early November would result in thousands of casualties and mass arrests. The events of October 31 underscored Cold War tensions and the limits of popular uprisings behind the Iron Curtain.
Hungarian Revolution of 1956 Imre Nagy MDP MSZMP József Mindszenty Soviet Politburo
1968day.year

Vietnam War October surprise: Citing progress with the Paris peace talks, US President Lyndon B. Johnson announces to the nation that he has ordered a complete cessation of "all air, naval, and artillery bombardment of North Vietnam" effective November 1.

President Lyndon B. Johnson declares a complete halt to all bombardments of North Vietnam, surprising many amid peace negotiations.
On October 31, 1968, President Lyndon B. Johnson addressed the American public to announce an immediate end to air, naval, and artillery bombardments against North Vietnam, set to take effect on November 1. The decision followed reported advancements in the Paris peace talks and aimed to build momentum for a lasting ceasefire. Known as the Vietnam War's 'October Surprise,' the announcement caught both supporters and critics off guard during a critical election year. Johnson’s move was intended to demonstrate progress and encourage North Vietnamese negotiators to engage more earnestly. However, some skeptics viewed it as a political maneuver to influence U.S. domestic opinion and electoral outcomes. The cessation marked a temporary shift in U.S. military strategy and signaled a desire to wind down direct combat operations. Despite the announcement, full peace remained elusive, and fighting would resume in later years as talks faltered. The October surprise remains a pivotal moment in the complex history of the Vietnam conflict.
1968 Vietnam War October surprise Lyndon B. Johnson North Vietnam November 1
1973day.year

Mountjoy Prison helicopter escape. Three Provisional Irish Republican Army members escape from Mountjoy Prison, Dublin aboard a hijacked helicopter that landed in the exercise yard.

In October 1973, three Provisional IRA members hijacked a helicopter and escaped Mountjoy Prison in Dublin in a daring break.
On October 31, 1973, three Provisional IRA members overcame prison security by hijacking a small helicopter piloted by an accomplice. The aircraft landed in the exercise yard of Mountjoy Prison in Dublin, allowing the prisoners to board and fly to freedom. The audacious escape embarrassed the Irish government and exposed vulnerabilities in prison security. Despite extensive manhunts, the escapees evaded capture for weeks. The incident underscored the IRA's resourcefulness during The Troubles and remains one of the most famous helicopter prison breaks in history.
1973 Mountjoy Prison helicopter escape Provisional Irish Republican Army Mountjoy Prison Dublin
2015day.year

Metrojet Flight 9268 is bombed over the northern Sinai Peninsula, killing all 224 people on board.

Metrojet Flight 9268 crashed over the Sinai Peninsula in 2015 after a terrorist bomb explosion, killing all 224 people aboard.
On October 31, 2015, Metrojet Flight 9268 was destroyed mid-air by an explosive device while flying over the northern Sinai Peninsula. All 224 passengers and crew perished, making this one of the deadliest terrorist attacks in Egypt's aviation history. The Islamic State-affiliated Wilayat Sinai group later claimed responsibility, highlighting security vulnerabilities in the region. International investigations confirmed a bomb had been smuggled into the aircraft's cargo hold. The disaster prompted global airlines and authorities to reassess security protocols, particularly for flights originating from high-risk areas. It underscored the ongoing challenge of combating aviation terrorism.
2015 Metrojet Flight 9268 Sinai Peninsula