On This Day: October 28 – Historical Milestones & Birthdays
Today is Wednesday, October 28, the 311th day of 2026. With 64 days remaining in the year, the world observes World Judo Day, World Senior Citizens Day, and International Animation Day. In the Catholic tradition, today honors the Apostles Saints Simon and Jude.
Historical Milestones
From the birth of nations to the dawn of the Space Age, October 28 has been a witness to history:
- 1856: Portugal enters the railway age with the inauguration of the first section of track between Lisbon and Carregado.
- 1918: The Republic of Czechoslovakia is officially founded.
- 1919: The “noble experiment” begins in the United States as Prohibition is enacted, banning the sale of alcohol.
- 1922: Benito Mussolini and his National Fascist Party seize power in Italy.
- 1954: American literary giant Ernest Hemingway is awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature.
- 1962: The Cuban Missile Crisis nears its end as Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev announces the withdrawal of missiles from Cuba.
- 2007: Cristina Kirchner makes history as the first woman elected President of Argentina.
Births and Legacies
Today marks the birthday of several cultural and scientific icons:
- Erasmus of Rotterdam (1467): The influential Renaissance humanist.
- Jonas Salk (1914): The medical researcher who developed the life-saving polio vaccine.
- Bill Gates (1955): Microsoft co-founder and philanthropist.
- Julia Roberts (1967): Academy Award-winning American actress.
Recent History and Passings
The date also holds significance for recent political shifts and the loss of major figures:
- 2022: The music world mourned rock and roll pioneer Jerry Lee Lewis, who passed away at 87.
- 2023: South Africa’s Springboks made history, becoming the first team to win four Rugby World Cup titles after defeating New Zealand in Paris. On the same day, beloved Friends actor Matthew Perry passed away at age 54.
- 2024: NATO confirmed the deployment of North Korean troops to Russia’s Kursk region, marking a significant escalation in the Ukraine conflict.
- 2025: Rio de Janeiro saw its deadliest security operation to date, resulting in 120 deaths during a raid against the Comando Vermelho criminal organization.
Nature and the Heavens
The moon is currently in its waning phase, approaching the Last Quarter on November 1. In Lisbon, the sun rose at 6:59 AM and will set at 5:41 PM. For those navigating the coast, high tide occurs at 4:26 PM, with low tide following at 10:13 PM.
Image: Pexels – Monstera Production
