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Major Events of October 2018: 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 2018 and discover how they influenced the world both then and now.

history

Major Events of October 2018: Key Historical Moments from the Month

  • 01 Oct 2018 USMCA Trade Deal Replaces NAFTA: The United States, Canada, and Mexico agreed to the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), a new comprehensive trade deal that would replace the long-standing North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA).
  • 02 Oct 2018 Assassination of Jamal Khashoggi: Washington Post journalist Jamal Khashoggi was brutally assassinated inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul, Turkey, marking a significant international diplomatic incident that drew global condemnation of Saudi Arabia's actions.
  • 03 Oct 2018 United States Withdraws from Iran Treaty: The United States withdrew from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action. The International Court of Justice ordered the U.S. to lift sanctions against Iran related to humanitarian goods and civil aviation safety. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo declared an end to the 1955 Treaty of Amity with Iran.
  • 04 Oct 2018 Russian GRU Intelligence Hacking Indictment: The U.S. Justice Department indicts seven Russian GRU intelligence officers for extensive cyber hacking targeting 250 athletes and anti-doping organizations worldwide, revealing significant international cyber espionage activities.
  • 05 Oct 2018 Sulawesi Tsunami and Earthquake Disaster: A devastating earthquake and tsunami in Indonesia resulted in 1,571 confirmed deaths, causing massive destruction in Sulawesi and highlighting the region's vulnerability to natural disasters.
  • 06 Oct 2018 2018 Sulawesi Tsunami and Earthquake: The devastating tsunami and earthquake in Sulawesi, Indonesia, resulted in 1,649 confirmed deaths, with over 265 people still missing, highlighting the region's significant seismic vulnerability.
  • 07 Oct 2018 Sulawesi Earthquake and Tsunami: Indonesia suffered a devastating double earthquake and tsunami, with the national disaster agency confirming 1,944 confirmed deaths. An additional 5,000 people remained missing and were presumed dead, highlighting the catastrophic scale of the natural disaster.
  • 08 Oct 2018 UN Climate Change Report: The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change released a major report warning that the planet will warm 2.7 degrees Fahrenheit (1.5 degrees Celsius) by 2040, with potentially dire global consequences.
  • 09 Oct 2018 Erdogan Demands Proof in Khashoggi Disappearance: Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan challenged Saudi Arabia to provide evidence that missing journalist Jamal Khashoggi left the Saudi consulate in Istanbul voluntarily, escalating tensions in the diplomatic crisis.
  • 10 Oct 2018 Hurricane Michael Devastates Florida Panhandle: Hurricane Michael made catastrophic landfall in the Florida Panhandle as a Category 5 hurricane, causing unprecedented destruction. The storm resulted in 57 fatalities across the United States, with 45 deaths in Florida alone, and caused an estimated $25.1 billion in comprehensive damage.
  • 11 Oct 2018 Soyuz MS-10 Emergency Space Mission Abort: The Soyuz MS-10 spacecraft, intended to launch a crew to the International Space Station (ISS), experienced an in-flight rocket failure, forcing an emergency abort. Despite the critical situation, the crew successfully landed safely in Kazakhstan, demonstrating the effectiveness of spacecraft emergency protocols.
  • 12 Oct 2018 Jamal Khashoggi Murder Investigation: Turkish officials claimed to have audio and video evidence proving that Jamal Khashoggi, a Saudi journalist, was tortured and killed inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul. This revelation sparked a major international controversy and raised serious questions about diplomatic relations and human rights.
  • 13 Oct 2018 Infant Remains Discovered in Detroit: Michigan state inspectors made a disturbing discovery after receiving an anonymous tip, finding the remains of 11 infants in a ceiling in Detroit. The incident prompted a criminal investigation and raised serious questions about potential criminal activity.
  • 14 Oct 2018 Pope Francis Canonizes Oscar Romero and Others: Pope Francis officially canonized Oscar Romero, the Roman Catholic Archbishop of San Salvador who was assassinated during Mass in 1980, along with five other individuals. This ceremony recognized Romero's significant contributions to human rights and social justice in El Salvador. Pope Paul VI was also among those canonized.
  • 15 Oct 2018 California Wildfire Prevention Measures: Pacific Gas and Electric Company took preemptive action by shutting off power to 60,000 customers across 12 Northern California counties due to extreme wildfire risks. Red flag warnings were issued to 22 million state residents, highlighting the growing climate crisis.
  • 16 Oct 2018 Khashoggi Disappearance Diplomatic Crisis: A significant diplomatic tension emerged as U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo met with Saudi King Salman regarding journalist Jamal Khashoggi's disappearance. Senior U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham directly accused Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman of murder, calling for his removal, which marked a critical moment in U.S.-Saudi relations.
  • 17 Oct 2018 Kerch Polytechnic College Massacre: A devastating mass shooting and bombing occurred at the Kerch Polytechnic College in Crimea, resulting in 21 fatalities, including the 18-year-old perpetrator, and injuring 70 others. The attack was reportedly motivated by the student's deep-seated hatred towards the technical school and a desire for revenge against teachers.
  • 18 Oct 2018 Assassination of Afghan General Abdul Raziq Achakzai: During a high-level meeting at the governor's compound in Kandahar, Afghan General and Police Chief Abdul Raziq Achakzai was assassinated by one of his own bodyguards. The incident occurred in the presence of U.S. General Austin S. Miller, who remained unharmed. The Taliban claimed responsibility for this strategic and shocking attack, which highlighted the ongoing instability in Afghanistan.
  • 19 Oct 2018 Russian Social Media Election Interference Charges: The United States Justice Department charged Elena Khusyaynova, a 44-year-old from Saint Petersburg, with conspiring to defraud the United States by financing a social media troll operation through the Internet Research Agency.
  • 20 Oct 2018 US Withdrawal from Nuclear Treaty with Russia: President Donald Trump announced the United States' intention to withdraw from the 1987 Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty with Russia, signaling a significant shift in international arms control and diplomatic relations.
  • 21 Oct 2018 American General Wounded in Afghanistan: A NATO spokesperson confirmed that Brigadier General Jeffrey D. Smiley was wounded by gunfire during the attack that assassinated Abdul Raziq Achakzai, underscoring the ongoing security challenges in Afghanistan.
  • 22 Oct 2018 Pipe Bomb Sent to George Soros: A pipe bomb was discovered at George Soros' residence in New York, marking the first in a series of politically motivated bomb threats targeting prominent Democratic figures. This incident highlighted escalating political tensions and potential domestic terrorism risks in the United States.
  • 23 Oct 2018 Jamal Khashoggi Murder Diplomatic Fallout: Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan publicly rejected the Saudi Arabian government's official account of Jamal Khashoggi's murder in a speech before the Turkish parliament. Simultaneously, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announced that the United States would revoke visas for Saudi Arabian officials implicated in Khashoggi's killing.
  • 24 Oct 2018 Jamal Khashoggi Murder Diplomatic Fallout: Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman prepares to address a global audience following the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul. US President Donald Trump acknowledged the potential involvement of the Crown Prince, stating that 'the prince runs things over there,' highlighting the international diplomatic tensions surrounding the incident.
  • 25 Oct 2018 Pipe Bomb Attacks Targeting Democrats: Multiple pipe bombs were intercepted by authorities, addressed to prominent Democratic figures including Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton, John Brennan, and others. The packages were considered a potential act of terror, targeting political personalities often criticized by right-wing groups.
  • 26 Oct 2018 2018 United States Mail Bombing Attempt: The FBI confirmed additional suspicious packages targeting U.S. Senators Cory Booker and Kamala Harris, as well as James Clapper and Tom Steyer. Suspect Cesar Sayoc was taken into custody in Plantation, Florida.
  • 27 Oct 2018 Pittsburgh Synagogue Shooting: A gunman carried out a deadly anti-Semitic attack on the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, killing 11 worshippers and injuring six people, including four police officers. This tragic event was one of the deadliest attacks on the Jewish community in U.S. history.
  • 28 Oct 2018 Brazilian Presidential Election 2018: Jair Bolsonaro was elected president of Brazil, winning 57 million votes and defeating Workers' Party candidate Fernando Haddad. This marked the first time in 16 years that a Workers' Party candidate was not elected president, signaling a significant political shift in Brazil.
  • 29 Oct 2018 Lion Air Flight 610 Tragic Crash: On October 29, 2018, Lion Air flight JT 610 crashed into the sea shortly after takeoff near Jakarta, Indonesia, resulting in the tragic loss of all 189 passengers and crew members on board. The Boeing 737 MAX aircraft plummeted into the ocean close to Karawang, marking one of the deadliest aviation accidents of the year.
  • 30 Oct 2018 Trump's Birthright Citizenship Controversy: U.S. President Donald Trump vowed to end automatic citizenship for children born in the United States to illegal immigrants, sparking a constitutional debate. Most legal authorities believe birthright citizenship is protected by the Fourteenth Amendment's Citizenship Clause.
  • 31 Oct 2018 Jamal Khashoggi Murder Investigation: Turkish chief prosecutor Irfan Fidan officially accused Saudi Arabia of premeditated murder, stating that Jamal Khashoggi was strangled and dismembered immediately upon entering the Istanbul Saudi consulate.