On This Day – October 28th

October 28th is just another fall day, right? Think again. Today’s a great day to look back at some of the most fascinating moments of societal history, and if you’re marking a birthday today, it’s also a great chance to see which famous people you share your special day with! Keep reading, and we’ll guide you through the most interesting facts about October 28th that you’ll want to remember.

On this day

1Henry III became king.

In 1216, Henry III, at the age of nine, was crowned King of England at Gloucester Cathedral. He was crowned following the death of his father, King John. Not the easiest job in the world for a kid, we’d wager!

2The first university of the New World opened.

In 1538, the first university in the New World, the Universidad Santo Tomás de Aquino, was established on Hispaniola.

3An earthquake and tsunami struck Lima and Callao.

On 28 October 1746, a powerful earthquake struck Lima, Peru, followed by a tsunami that destroyed the port of Callao. Estimates of the dead vary widely, but thousands were killed, and nearly all of Callao’s residents died.

4US police began using fingerprints.

On 28 October 1904, the St. Louis police department began using fingerprinting to identify criminals, after learning the method from a Scotland Yard officer at the World’s Fair. It was one of the first US police forces to do so.

5Prohibition entered into US law.

In 1919, the Volstead Act establishing prohibition of alcohol was passed by the US Congress. The act passed despite President Woodrow Wilson’s veto – however, alcohol prohibition wouldn’t last forever, as it would be revoked by 1933.

Special Days Falling on October 28th

If October 28th seems just like a stepping stone on the way to Halloween, you might want to speak to a few people to whom it means more! For example, here are some of the biggest events taking place around the world today.

Independent Czechoslovak State Day

Every 28 October, the Czech Republic celebrates the founding of Czechoslovakia in 1918, when the Czechs and Slovaks broke away from Austria-Hungary. Czechoslovakia split peacefully into the Czech Republic and Slovakia in 1993.

International Animation Day

October 28th is also International Animation Day! Animation has played and continues to play a significant role in many of our lives. Whether we are artists or not, most of us grew up watching animation and continue to enjoy it every now and then or even frequently as adults! So, today is the day to honor that and all forms of animation from the very beginning to now.

National First Responders Day

On October 28th, we also honor all first responders. The people who put their lives on hold, and even on the line, to go to the rescue of strangers. They are the first ones on any scene and always do their utmost to ensure the safety, respect, and help of anyone in need. It is the perfect day to thank them, although we could never thank them enough!

This month in history

In the year 1960, the United States initiated an embargo against Cuba, with the State Department imposing restrictions on the export of virtually all commodities, save for essential items like medicine and food. It wasn’t until the year 2009, during President Barack Obama’s tenure, that the regulations began to see a gradual relaxation.

Famous Birthdays on October 28th

• Erasmus, Dutch humanist and theologian, born 1466
• Jonas Salk, American scientist who developed the first polio vaccine, born 1914
• Bill Gates, American businessman and Microsoft founder, born 1955
• Joaquin Phoenix, American actor, born in Puerto Rico, born 1974
• Gwendoline Christie, English actor, born 1978

If you were born on October 28th…

…you’re a Scorpio! You’re strong, kind, and very intelligent, but you can be fiery and stubborn when you want to be! Everyone should stay on your good side – especially because the people you care about and stand up for really do benefit from your incredible insight and charm. It’s true!

Go ahead and learn more about what makes you a scorpion from our Scorpio facts page!