Box-office #1
The Empire Strikes Back
1980 · dir. Irvin Kershner
Wide US release on May 23, 1980. Goes on to become the highest-grossing film of the year.
Sci-fiStar Wars $538M worldwide
On this day
October 31 Saturday, October 31, 2026
A curious almanac of what happened on October 31 across the years — history, birthdays, the songs that ruled the charts, the films that packed cinemas, and the science that nudged the world forward.
12
Events
7
Birthdays
8
Holidays
1913
US history 113 years ago
The Indianapolis Streetcar Strike and subsequent riot begins.
A streetcar workers' strike in Indianapolis erupts into violent riots as thousands of protesters clash with police and strikebreakers over labor conditions.
History
What happened on October 31
12 verified entries Full timeline
- 475Roman history
Romulus Augustulus is proclaimed Western Roman Emperor.
Romulus Augustulus is proclaimed emperor of the Western Roman Empire in Rome.
- 683World history
During the Siege of Mecca, the Kaaba catches fire and is burned down.
The Kaaba is set ablaze during the conflict, suffering severe damage.
- 802European history
Empress Irene is deposed and banished to Lesbos. Conspirators place Nikephoros, the minister of finance, on the Byzantine throne.
Empress Irene is deposed and banished to Lesbos, as conspirators install Nikephoros, the finance minister, as the new Byzantine emperor.
- 932World history
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.
Al-Muqtadir, the Abbasid caliph, is killed in battle against General Mu'nis al-Muzaffar; his brother al-Qahir succeeds him.
- 1517Religion
Protestant Reformation: Martin Luther posts his 95 Theses on the door of the Castle Church in Wittenberg.
Martin Luther nails his 95 Theses to the church door in Wittenberg, sparking the Protestant Reformation.
- 1587European history
Leiden University Library opens its doors after its founding in 1575.
Leiden University Library opens to readers, becoming one of the oldest academic libraries in the Netherlands and a cornerstone of scholarly research.
- 1864US history
Nevada is admitted as the 36th U.S. state.
Nevada becomes the 36th U.S. state, expanding the nation's territory in the West.
- 1895Disaster
The strongest earthquake in the Midwestern United States since 1812 strikes near Charleston, Missouri, causing damage and killing at least two.
A powerful earthquake strikes near Charleston, Missouri, the strongest in the Midwest since 1812, causing significant damage and killing at least two people.
- 1913US history
The Indianapolis Streetcar Strike and subsequent riot begins.
A streetcar workers' strike in Indianapolis erupts into violent riots as thousands of protesters clash with police and strikebreakers over labor conditions.
- 1999Disaster
EgyptAir Flight 990 crashes into the Atlantic Ocean near Nantucket, killing all 217 people on board.
EgyptAir Flight 990 plunges into the Atlantic Ocean near Nantucket, claiming the lives of all 217 passengers and crew.
- 2002Crime
A federal grand jury in Houston, Texas indicts former Enron chief financial officer Andrew Fastow on 78 counts of wire fraud, money laundering, conspiracy and obstruction of justice related to the collapse of his ex-employer.
Andrew Fastow is indicted on 78 counts including fraud and conspiracy for his role in Enron's collapse.
- 2003Politics
Mahathir Mohamad resigns as Prime Minister of Malaysia and is replaced by Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, marking an end to Mahathir's 22 years in power.
Mahathir Mohamad steps down as Prime Minister of Malaysia, handing power to his deputy, Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.
Born today
Famous birthdays on October 31
7 this date All birthdays
🎂 75
Dave Trembley
American baseball player, coach, and manager
Dave Trembley, American baseball manager who led the Baltimore Orioles and later served as director of player development for the Atlanta Braves, turns 74 today.
Born
1951
Turns 75
today
Christopher Anstey
English author and poet
1724 – 1805
Edmund Sharpe
English architect, architectural historian, railway engineer, and sanitary reformer
1809 – 1877
Brian Doyle-Murray
American actor and comedian
b. 1945 · 81
Fred McGriff
American baseball player
b. 1963 · 63
Siobhán Bernadette Haughey
Hong Kong-Irish swimmer
b. 1997 · 29
Willow Smith
American singer, actress, and dancer
b. 2000 · 26
Music
The number one songs on October 31
Across the years Full chart history
🇬🇧 #1 on October 31, 1981
"Stand and Deliver"
by Adam and the Ants
The dandy highwayman spent five weeks at the top — a brash, glam-pop coronation.
#1 for 5 weeks
Also #1 on this day
- 1965"Ticket To Ride"— The Beatles
- 1972"Metal Guru"— T. Rex
- 2003"Make Luv"— Room 5 ft. Oliver Cheatham
Film & TV
At the movies
Box office #1 and premieres All releases
🏆 Sport October 31, 1999
Yachtsman Jesse Martin returns to Melbourne after 11 months of circumnavigating the world, solo, non-stop and unassisted.
Jesse Martin completes a solo, non-stop, unassisted circumnavigation of the globe, returning to Melbourne after 11 months at sea.
Read the story
🔬 Science October 31, 2000
Soyuz TM-31 launches, carrying the first resident crew to the International Space Station. The ISS has been crewed continuously since then.
The first resident crew launches to the International Space Station, marking the beginning of continuous human presence aboard the orbiting laboratory.
Read the storyToday is also
Holidays & observances
8 celebrated today
Día de la Canción Criolla (Peru)
International
The Día de la Canción Criolla is a Peruvian festivity celebrated yearly on October 31
Earliest day on which All Saints Day can fall, while November 6 is the latest; celebrated on Saturday between October 31 and November 6 (Finland, Sweden)
International
All Saints' Day is a Christian holy day celebrated in honour of all the saints of the Church, whether they are known or unknown
Halloween and related celebrations: Allantide (Cornwall)
International
Allantide, also known as Saint Allan's Day or the Feast of Saint Allan, is a Cornish festival that was traditionally celebrated on the night of 31 October, as well as the following day time, and known
Halloween and related celebrations: Halloween (Ireland, Canada, United Kingdom, United States and other places)
International
Halloween, also known as All Hallows' Eve, or All Saints' Eve, is a celebration observed in many countries on 31 October, the eve of the Western Christian feast of All Hallows' Day
Halloween and related celebrations: Hop-tu-Naa (Isle of Man)
International
Hop-tu-Naa is a Celtic festival celebrated in the Isle of Man on 31 October
Halloween and related celebrations: Samhain in the Northern Hemisphere, Beltane in the Southern Hemisphere; begins on sunset of October 31 (Gaels, Welsh people and Neopagan Wheel of the Year)
International
Samhain or Sauin is a Gaelic festival on 1 November marking the end of the harvest season in autumn and beginning of winter or the "darker half" of the year