Today in History - October 28th


  • 1492 - Christopher Columbus discovered Cuba & claimed it for Spain.
  • 1636 - Harvard College was founded in Massachusetts. It was the first institution of higher learning in the US.
  • 1775 - American Revolutionary War: A British proclamation forbid residents from leaving Boston.
  • 1776 - Battle of White Plains; Washington retreated to NJ.
  • 1858 - Macy's Department store opened in NYC.
  • Statue of Liberty NY

    Statue of Liberty, New York

  • 1886 - The Statue of Liberty in NY Harbor was dedicated.
  • 1919 - Congress passed the national Prohibition Act over President Wilson's veto.
  • 1922 - Italian fascists led by Benito Mussolini marched on Rome and took over the Italian government.
  • 1929 - Black Monday happened on Wall Street.
  • 1962 - The Cuban Missile Crisis came to an end after JFK and Khrushchev make a public and secret agreement.
  • 1965 - Gateway Arch in St. Louis, symbolizing the gate to the West, was completed.
  • 1965 - Pope Paul VI issued a decree absolving Jews of collective guilt for the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. 
  • 1986 - The centennial of the Statue of Liberty was celebrated in New York. 

SPORTS - Today in History, October 28th

  • 1922 - Princeton-Chicago football game was broadcasted across the country.

SCIENCE, INVENTIONS, PATENTS - Today in History, October 28th

  • 1793 - Eli Whitney applied for a patent for the cotton gin.

MUSIC HISTORY - Today in History, October 28th

  • 1893 - Tchaikovsky conducted the first performance of "Symphony Number Six in B minor, "Pathetique"
  • 1915 - Richard Strauss conducted the first performance of Eine Alpensinfonie in Berlin.
  • 1956 - Elvis Presley's song "Love Me Tender" became the No. 1 Billboard Pop Hit.
  • 2010 - Michael Jackson's "This Is It" opened in theaters. 

FAMOUS BIRTHDAYS - October 28th

  • Fashion diva Edith Head 1907. 
  • Olympian Bruce Jenner 1949.
  • Bill Gates, billionaire founder/CEO of Microsoft 1955.
  • Actress Julia Roberts 1967.
  • Actor Joaquin Phoenix 1974