Major Events of October 1910: Key Historical Moments from the Month

Each month is marked by defining moments that shape the course of history. Whether through political shifts, cultural movements, or world-changing events, these periods leave a lasting impression. Dive into the most important events from October 1910 and discover how they influenced the world both then and now.

Major Events of October 1910: Key Historical Moments from the Month

01 Oct 1910 Los Angeles Times Bombing: On October 1, 1910, a devastating terrorist bombing targeted the Los Angeles Times building in downtown Los Angeles, California. The attack, which used dynamite placed in an alley, triggered a catastrophic explosion that ignited natural gas lines, causing a massive fire that destroyed part of the building and resulted in 21 fatalities and over 100 injuries. This event was a significant act of industrial terrorism during the early 20th century labor conflicts.
02 Oct 1910 Los Angeles Times Bombing: A tragic terrorist attack occurred on October 2, 1910, when a time bomb detonated outside the Los Angeles Times offices at 1:07 a.m., resulting in the devastating loss of twenty-one employees' lives. This event was part of a complex labor dispute and industrial conflict of the early 20th century.
03 Oct 1910 World's First Mid-Air Aircraft Collision: On October 3, 1910, aviation history was marked by a significant and dangerous milestone when Captain Bertram Dickson was involved in the world's first recorded mid-air collision over Milan, Italy. This incident highlighted the inherent risks of early aviation and the primitive state of aerial navigation and safety protocols during the pioneering era of flight.
04 Oct 1910 Portuguese Republican Revolution: On October 4, 1910, Portugal underwent a significant political transformation when a republican revolution overthrew the monarchy. King Manuel II, the last monarch of Portugal, was forced to flee to England, marking the end of the Portuguese monarchy and the establishment of the First Portuguese Republic.
05 Oct 1910 Portuguese Revolution of 1910: A significant political revolution in Portugal overthrew the constitutional monarchy of King Manuel II and established the Portuguese First Republic. This momentous event marked a dramatic shift in Portugal's political landscape, ending centuries of monarchical rule and ushering in a new era of republican governance.
06 Oct 1910 Los Angeles Times Bombing: A devastating terrorist attack occurred when a time bomb detonated at 1:07 a.m. outside the Los Angeles Times offices, resulting in the tragic death of twenty-one employees. This event was part of a labor dispute and marked a dark moment in American industrial relations.
07 Oct 1910 Baudette Fire of 1910: A catastrophic series of forest fires devastated northern Minnesota's Lake of the Woods County, destroying multiple towns including Baudette, Spooner, Graceton, and Pitt. The Canadian Pacific Railway played a crucial role in evacuating townspeople to Ontario, Canada. The fires were particularly deadly, with over 200 bodies recovered and an estimated total death toll of approximately 400 people. This disaster was one of the most significant forest fire events in early 20th-century Minnesota history, highlighting the region's vulnerability to wildfire and the limited firefighting capabilities of the era.
08 Oct 1910 Portugal's Anti-Clerical Republican Revolution: On October 8, 1910, the newly established Portuguese Republican government took a significant step in its revolutionary reforms by issuing a decree that expelled members of the clergy, with a particular focus on the Jesuit order. This action was part of a broader movement to reduce the Catholic Church's political and social influence in Portugal, marking a pivotal moment in the country's transition from monarchy to republic.
09 Oct 1910 Starkville Coal Mine Disaster: A tragic coal mine explosion in Starkville, Colorado, resulted in the devastating loss of fifty-two miners' lives. This catastrophic incident highlighted the dangerous working conditions in early 20th-century mining operations.
10 Oct 1910 Ho Chi Minh Enters Hanoi After French Withdrawal: Ho Chi Minh entered Hanoi, Vietnam, following the withdrawal of French troops as per the armistice terms, concluding a seven-year struggle between Communist Vietnamese forces and French colonial authorities. This event was a pivotal moment in Vietnam's path towards independence.
11 Oct 1910 Theodore Roosevelt's Historic First Presidential Airplane Flight: On October 11, 1910, Theodore Roosevelt made history by becoming the first former U.S. president to fly in an airplane. The groundbreaking flight took place at Kinloch Aviation Field in St. Louis, Missouri, where he was piloted by Arch Hoxsey in a Wright Brothers aircraft. The four-minute flight was a significant moment in early aviation history, demonstrating the emerging potential of powered flight and Roosevelt's adventurous spirit.
12 Oct 1910 Roque Sáenz Peña Becomes President of Argentina: On October 12, 1910, Roque Sáenz Peña was inaugurated as the President of Argentina, marking a significant moment in the country's political history. Alongside him, Victorino de la Plaza was sworn in as Vice President, who would later assume the presidency in 1914. Sáenz Peña's presidency was notable for implementing electoral reforms that expanded democratic participation, including the passage of the Sáenz Peña Law, which established mandatory and secret universal male suffrage.
13 Oct 1910 Interstate Commerce Commission Railroad Safety Regulations: The Interstate Commerce Commission issued comprehensive safety regulations mandating the installation of ladders, sill steps, and hand brakes on all railroad cars across the United States. This landmark decision significantly improved worker and passenger safety in the railroad industry by standardizing critical safety equipment.
14 Oct 1910 First Aircraft Landing Near White House: On October 14, 1910, English aviator Claude Grahame-White made aviation history by landing his Farman Aircraft biplane on Executive Avenue, situated between the White House and the Old Executive Office Building in Washington, D.C. This remarkable event represented a significant milestone in early aviation, demonstrating the emerging capabilities of aircraft and their potential for transportation and public demonstration.
15 Oct 1910 First Transatlantic Aircraft Attempt by Airship America: On October 15, 1910, the airship America was launched from New Jersey, marking a pioneering attempt to cross the Atlantic Ocean by a powered aircraft. This ambitious expedition represented a significant milestone in early aviation history, showcasing the bold spirit of technological exploration during the early 20th century.
16 Oct 1910 British Ultimatum to Persia: In October 1910, Great Britain issued a stern diplomatic ultimatum to Persia (modern-day Iran), demanding an immediate cessation of raids on commercial transportation routes connecting the key cities of Bushihr, Shiraz, and Isfahan. The British government threatened to deploy a military occupation force of 1,200 troops if Persia failed to comply with the three-month deadline, signaling the colonial power's intent to protect its commercial interests and maintain regional stability.
17 Oct 1910 French Railroad Strike of 1910 Ends: The railroad strike in France was called off unconditionally by the union's strike committee after just six days. During the labor action, approximately 80,000 railroad employees had walked off their jobs, demonstrating significant labor unrest and collective bargaining power in early 20th-century France.
18 Oct 1910 First Wireless Distress Call from the Air: The dirigible America made history by sending the first-ever wireless distress call from an aircraft, subsequently being rescued by the British liner Trent three days after departing from Atlantic City. This event marked a significant milestone in aviation communication technology, demonstrating the potential of wireless communication in emergency situations.
19 Oct 1910 Birth of Jean Genet, Influential French Author: Jean Genet was born on October 19, 1910, in Paris, France. He would become a renowned novelist, playwright, and political activist, known for his groundbreaking works that explored themes of marginalization, sexuality, and social rebellion. Genet's literary contributions significantly influenced 20th-century existentialist and post-colonial literature, challenging societal norms through his provocative writings.
20 Oct 1910 RMS Olympic Launch: The RMS Olympic, sister ship to the infamous RMS Titanic, was launched from the renowned Harland and Wolff shipyard in Belfast, Northern Ireland. This massive ocean liner was part of the White Star Line's ambitious maritime fleet and represented the pinnacle of early 20th-century shipbuilding technology.
21 Oct 1910 HMS Niobe Arrives in Halifax, Establishing Royal Canadian Navy: On October 21, 1910, HMS Niobe arrived in Halifax Harbour, marking a significant milestone in Canadian maritime history. This vessel became the first official ship of the newly formed Royal Canadian Navy, symbolizing Canada's growing naval capabilities and independence from British naval control.
22 Oct 1910 Dr. Hawley Harvey Crippen Murder Conviction: Hawley Harvey Crippen was convicted of murdering his wife, marking a significant moment in criminal history as he was the first felon to be arrested with the assistance of radio technology. His conviction and subsequent execution highlighted the emerging role of technological communication in law enforcement.
23 Oct 1910 First Woman Solo Airplane Flight: Blanche Scott made history by becoming the first woman to solo a public airplane flight, marking a groundbreaking moment for women in aviation and challenging gender barriers in early 20th-century technology.
24 Oct 1910 No Significant Historical Record for October 24, 1910: After thorough review, no notable historical events have been confirmed for this specific date. While October 24, 1910, passes without a remarkable documented occurrence, it remains a day in the early 20th century during a period of significant global transitions.
25 Oct 1910 Premiere of Stravinsky's The Firebird Ballet: On October 25, 1910, the groundbreaking ballet 'The Firebird' by renowned Russian composer Igor Stravinsky was first performed at the Paris Opera. This revolutionary work, commissioned by Sergei Diaghilev's Ballets Russes, marked a significant moment in early 20th-century classical music and dance, blending Russian folk themes with innovative modernist composition techniques.
26 Oct 1910 Arkansas Tech University Inaugural Classes: The first academic classes were officially held at Arkansas Tech University, which was originally established as the 'Second District Agricultural School' located in Russellville, Arkansas. This marked the beginning of a significant educational institution in the state's higher education landscape.
27 Oct 1910 KONE Corporation Established in Finland: KONE Corporation, a pioneering Finnish industrial company, was founded on October 27, 1910, in Helsinki. Initially established as a local machinery and elevator manufacturing enterprise, KONE would eventually grow to become one of the world's leading elevator and escalator manufacturers. The company's name, derived from the Finnish word for 'machine', reflects its industrial roots and commitment to technological innovation in vertical transportation systems.
28 Oct 1910 First Public Color Movie Demonstration in the United States: On October 28, 1910, a groundbreaking moment in cinematic history occurred when the first public demonstration of color movies was presented at the meeting room of the New York Electrical Society. This pioneering event showcased an early technological breakthrough in film, marking a significant milestone in the evolution of motion picture technology. The demonstration represented a crucial step towards the development of color cinematography, which would eventually revolutionize the visual storytelling medium.
29 Oct 1910 Gordon Bennett Cup Air Racing Victory: Claude Grahame-White achieves a significant milestone in early aviation history by winning the prestigious Gordon Bennett Cup. He completed a 100-kilometer (62-mile) flight in an impressive time of 61 minutes and 4.74 seconds, showcasing the rapid technological advancements in early 20th-century aviation.
30 Oct 1910 First Cathode Ray Tube Patent Awarded: On October 30, 1910, Russian scientist Boris Rosing was granted patent No. 18,076 for his groundbreaking invention of the cathode ray tube (CRT) capable of displaying images. This pivotal moment in technological history laid the foundation for television, computer monitors, and numerous electronic display technologies that would revolutionize visual communication in the 20th century. Rosing's innovative work demonstrated the potential of electron beams to create visual representations, marking a crucial step in the development of electronic imaging systems.
31 Oct 1910 National Billiard League Inaugural Games: On October 31, 1910, the National Billiard League officially launched its first competitive matches, featuring inter-city games between teams from New York and Boston, and Kansas City and Pittsburgh. This marked a significant moment in the standardization and professionalization of billiards as a competitive sport in the early 20th century United States.