On This Day – October 30th

It’s the day before Halloween, and we know you’ve got plenty on your mind! Remember to get the candy, get your costume ready, and start carving those pumpkins! But before you do, don’t let October 30th be the Robin to Halloween’s Batman! After all, this day has a lot of very special things hidden beneath the surface you might not be aware of. Here are some fantastic facts about October 30th.

On this day

1The War of the Worlds caused a stir.

On 30 October 1938, Orson Welles broadcast a radio version of H.G. Wells’s The War of the Worlds, presented as a series of news bulletins about a Martian invasion of New Jersey. Some listeners were alarmed, though historians think reports of mass panic were exaggerated by newspapers.

2Ali beat Foreman in the Rumble in the Jungle.

On 30 October 1974, Muhammad Ali regained the world heavyweight title by knocking out George Foreman in the eighth round in Kinshasa, Zaire (now the Democratic Republic of the Congo). Ali’s ‘rope-a-dope’ tactic made it one of the most famous fights in boxing history.

3Nicholas II issued the October Manifesto.

In 1905, the October Manifesto was issued by Tsar Nicholas II. In the manifesto, he granted civil liberties and accepted the first Parliament, known as the Duma.

4The Bosphorus Bridge opened.

On 30 October 1973, the Bosphorus Bridge opened in Istanbul, the first bridge to link Europe and Asia across the Bosphorus strait. It was opened on the 50th anniversary of the Turkish Republic.

5Sweden recognised the State of Palestine.

On 30 October 2014, Sweden became the first EU member in western Europe to recognise the State of Palestine. Many others followed later, including Spain, Ireland and Norway in 2024, and the UK, Canada, Australia, Portugal and France in September 2025.

Special Days Falling on October 30th

Of course, we’re all focused on the very special day tomorrow, but October 30th also has a lot to celebrate! Here are some of the most important events taking place around the world today.

Haunted Refrigerator Day

Yes, you read that right – today is a great day to get in the Halloween mood by either removing some of the haunted expired food from your fridge or putting something terrifying in to scare the next user! After all, October 30th is also Mischief Night in some territories!

National Treat Your Pet Day

As Halloween fast approaches, many of us are thinking of all the treats we’re going to get! However, your pets cannot partake in that fun as most human candy is extremely bad for them! So, before you get lost in a sugar daze, remember to get some safe, healthy, and yummy treats for your pet and remind them how much you love them.

National Candy Corn Day

Candy Corn is probably one of the most traditional treats given away at Halloween in the US. Yet, if you ask anyone, it is never anyone’s favorite treat! In fact, most people eat it probably more out of habit than actual liking – yet, it’s iconic enough to have its own special day!

This month in history

The Soviet Union detonated what’s still known as the biggest bomb in known history to this date. In October 1961, the USSR exploded Big Ivan, or the Tsar Bomba, in a test over Novaya Zemlya, in the Arctic. The bomb was a unique 57 Megaton model, and it’s said people could see the light flash from the detonation more than 1,000 km away in the distance!

Famous Birthdays on October 30th

• Diego Maradona, Argentine football legend, born 1960
• John Adams, 2nd President of the United States of America, born 1735
• Ezra Pound, American poet, born 1885
• Henry Winkler, American actor, born 1945
• Clémence Poésy, French actor, born 1982

If you were born on October 30th…

…you’re a Scorpio! Nothing can stop you when you have something in view – and we’re not trying to stop you!

In fact, we encourage you to head over to our Scorpio facts page if you’d like to learn all about that fantastic sting in your tail – and why the people you love are lucky to have you in their lives.