Major Events of October 1928: 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 1928 and discover how they influenced the world both then and now.

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Major Events of October 1928: Key Historical Moments from the Month


  • 01 Oct 1928 USSR Launches First Five-Year Plan: DUPE
  • 02 Oct 1928 Chiang Kai-shek Becomes President of Republic of China: Chiang Kai-shek assumed the presidency of the Republic of China following the introduction of a new constitution, marking a significant moment in the political transformation of the country.
  • 03 Oct 1928 Lindbergh Endorses Hoover in Republican Campaign: The U.S. Republican Party strategically publicized a telegram from renowned aviator Charles Lindbergh endorsing presidential candidate Herbert Hoover, potentially influencing public opinion during the election campaign.
  • 04 Oct 1928 German Referendum Approves Battleship Construction: In a national referendum, German voters approved the construction of new battleships, signaling a significant shift in military policy and public sentiment during the interwar period.
  • 05 Oct 1928 Sir Hubert Wilkins Publishes Expedition Book: Australian explorer Sir Hubert Wilkins published a comprehensive book titled *Undiscovered Australia*, detailing his groundbreaking expedition to the remote northern regions of the continent. The book provided unprecedented insights into the landscape, indigenous cultures, and geographical challenges of Australia's unexplored territories.
  • 06 Oct 1928 Chiang Kai-shek Becomes President of China: Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek assumes the presidency of the Republic of China, marking a significant moment in the country's political transition and leadership.
  • 07 Oct 1928 Chiang Kai-shek Becomes Generalissimo of Nationalist Government: Chiang Kai-shek was appointed Generalissimo and Chairman of the National Military Council of the Nationalist Government of the Republic of China, a crucial leadership role during a tumultuous period in Chinese political history.
  • 08 Oct 1928 Chiang Kai-shek Becomes Generalissimo of Nationalist China: On this significant day, Chiang Kai-shek was officially named Generalissimo and Chairman of the National Military Council of the Republic of China, marking a pivotal moment in Chinese political leadership during a tumultuous period of national reorganization.
  • 09 Oct 1928 New York Yankees Win World Series in Historic Sweep: The New York Yankees made baseball history by sweeping the Saint Louis Cardinals in the 25th World Series. Legendary player Babe Ruth delivered an extraordinary performance, hitting three home runs in the game. This victory marked the Yankees as the first team to sweep consecutive World Series championships, solidifying their dominance in the sport.
  • 10 Oct 1928 Chiang Kai-shek Assumes Leadership of Republic of China: On October 10, 1928, Chiang Kai-shek became Chairman of the Republic of China, marking a significant moment in Chinese political history. This event represented a crucial turning point in the Nationalist (Kuomintang) party's consolidation of power and set the stage for Chiang's long-term leadership of the Republic of China.
  • 11 Oct 1928 Graf Zeppelin's Historic Transatlantic Passenger Flight: The LZ 127 Graf Zeppelin made the first commercial passenger flight across the Atlantic, departing Friedrichshafen, Germany on October 11, 1928, and landing at Lakehurst, New Jersey on October 15, 1928. The remarkable journey covered a distance of approximately 6,000 miles and lasted 111 hours and 44 minutes, marking a significant milestone in aviation history.
  • 12 Oct 1928 First Medical Use of Iron Lung Respirator: On October 12, 1928, medical history was made at Children's Hospital in Boston, Massachusetts, when an iron lung respirator was first used to assist patients with respiratory paralysis. This groundbreaking medical device would become crucial in treating patients suffering from polio and other respiratory conditions, representing a significant advancement in medical technology and patient care.
  • 13 Oct 1928 Birth of George McFarland (Spanky): George McFarland, popularly known as 'Spanky', was born in Denison, Texas. He was a child actor who gained widespread fame as a key member of the 'Our Gang' comedy series, a beloved comedy short film series that entertained audiences during the early to mid-20th century.
  • 14 Oct 1928 Graf Zeppelin Prepares for Transatlantic Flight: The LZ 127 Graf Zeppelin conducted significant test flights, navigating across the English Channel and over parts of England. These preparatory flights were crucial in testing the airship's capabilities and readiness for its upcoming transatlantic journey, marking an important moment in early 20th-century aviation technology and exploration.
  • 15 Oct 1928 Graf Zeppelin's Historic Transatlantic Flight: The German dirigible Graf Zeppelin successfully completed its first transatlantic flight, landing at Lakehurst Naval Air Station in New Jersey. This milestone represented a significant achievement in early aviation and international transportation technology.
  • 16 Oct 1928 Graf Zeppelin Crew Honored in New York City: Hugo Eckener and the crew of the Graf Zeppelin were celebrated with a prestigious ticker tape parade in New York City, marking a significant moment in early aviation history and international recognition of technological achievement.
  • 17 Oct 1928 General Strike in Łódź, Poland: A significant labor movement erupted in Łódź, a major industrial city, as textile workers initiated a strike demanding better working conditions and wages. The general strike demonstrated the growing labor solidarity and tensions within the Polish industrial sector during the interwar period.
  • 18 Oct 1928 Execution of Michele Della Maggiore under Fascist Regime: Italian Communist Michele Della Maggiore was executed by firing squad after being convicted of murdering two Fascists. This event marked a significant moment in Fascist Italy, as Maggiore was the first person condemned to death since Benito Mussolini reintroduced capital punishment, symbolizing the brutal suppression of political opposition during this period.
  • 19 Oct 1928 William Edward Hickman Executed for Heinous Murder: William Edward Hickman was executed at San Quentin State Prison for the brutal 1927 murder of 12-year-old Marion Parker. The case shocked the nation due to the particularly gruesome nature of the crime, which involved kidnapping, murder, and dismemberment. Hickman's execution represented justice for the young victim and closure for her grieving family.
  • 20 Oct 1928 Birth of Li Peng, Chinese Political Leader: Li Peng was born on October 20, 1928, in China. He would later become a prominent political figure, serving as Premier of the People's Republic of China from 1987 to 1998. During his tenure, he played a significant role in Chinese governance during a critical period of economic reform and political transformation.
  • 21 Oct 1928 Founding Vision of Opus Dei by Josemaría Escrivá: On October 21, 1928, Josemaría Escrivá, a Spanish Catholic priest, experienced a profound spiritual vision in which he claimed to have received divine inspiration for establishing Opus Dei, a Catholic organization dedicated to spreading the message that ordinary professional work can be a path to holiness. While the official founding date is recorded as October 2, this vision on October 21 was a pivotal moment in the organization's spiritual genesis.
  • 22 Oct 1928 Hoover Speaks on American Individualism: President Herbert Hoover delivered a notable speech emphasizing the 'American system of rugged individualism', highlighting core conservative economic and social principles of the era.
  • 25 Oct 1928 International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement (ICRM) Established: The International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement (ICRM) was formally recognized as a global humanitarian organization dedicated to providing emergency assistance, disaster relief, and aid to those in need during times of conflict and crisis. This organization represents a critical milestone in international humanitarian efforts, promoting neutral and impartial support for vulnerable populations worldwide.
  • 26 Oct 1928 International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement Formally Established: The International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement (ICRM) was formally established on this date with the adoption of the "Statutes of the International Red Cross". This landmark event created a global humanitarian organization dedicated to providing emergency assistance, disaster relief, and aid to those in need during conflicts and humanitarian crises worldwide.
  • 27 Oct 1928 Worthington Mine Collapse: A catastrophic ground fault caused the Worthington mine and a portion of the town to collapse into a massive chasm in Ontario, Canada, resulting in significant geological and potentially human devastation.
  • 28 Oct 1928 Indonesian Youth Pledge: The Second Youth Congress in Batavia (Dutch East Indies) resulted in the historic Youth Pledge, a pivotal moment in Indonesian nationalist movement where young leaders declared their unity and vision for an independent Indonesia.
  • 29 Oct 1928 Prelude to the Stock Market Crash of 1929: On October 29, 1928, the financial markets were relatively calm, unaware of the impending economic catastrophe that would unfold exactly one year later. This period marked the final year of the 'Roaring Twenties', characterized by economic prosperity, speculative investments, and a sense of unbridled optimism in the United States stock market. The events leading up to the 1929 crash were already taking shape, with increasing stock market speculation and margin trading setting the stage for one of the most significant financial collapses in modern history.
  • 30 Oct 1928 Daniel Nathans Birth: Daniel Nathans was born in Wilmington, Delaware. He would go on to become a renowned microbiologist who would later receive the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine, making significant contributions to scientific research.
  • 31 Oct 1928 Los Angeles County DA Indicted for Corruption: Asa Keyes, the Los Angeles County district attorney, was formally indicted on corruption charges, signaling a significant moment of legal accountability for a high-ranking public official.