October 31—Halloween—has also seen religious revolutions, architectural marvels, and milestones in world security.
Martin Luther nailed his Ninety-Five Theses to the door of the Castle Church in Wittenberg, challenging Catholic practices, especially the sale of indulgences. This act launched the Protestant Reformation.
The massive sculpture depicting four US presidents—Washington, Jefferson, Roosevelt, and Lincoln—was completed after 14 years of work. The monument became one of America's most iconic landmarks.
Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi was shot dead by two of her Sikh bodyguards in revenge for the Indian Army's assault on the Golden Temple. Her death triggered anti-Sikh riots that killed thousands.
Soviet authorities secretly removed Joseph Stalin's body from Lenin's Mausoleum in Red Square as part of de-Stalinization. The dictator's remains were buried nearby in a simple grave.
The last Western Roman Emperor, the teenager Romulus Augustulus, was deposed by the Germanic chieftain Odoacer. The event traditionally marks the fall of the Western Roman Empire.
The legendary magician and escape artist died in Detroit from a ruptured appendix, possibly aggravated by a punch to the stomach. Houdini's death on Halloween cemented his connection to the supernatural.
The United Nations designated October 31 as the symbolic date when the world's population reached seven billion. The milestone raised renewed concerns about sustainability and resource management.