October 28: Facts & Historical Events On This Day - The Fact Site

October 28th is the day we officially celebrate Plush Animal Lover’s Day and International Animation Day.

Welcome to the 301st day of the year! We’re rapidly approaching the end of the year, but first, who’s excited for Halloween?

Find out the most need-to-know facts and historical events that all occurred on this unique day – October 28th.

Did you know that on this day, October 28, 1858, Macy’s opened their first department store in New York? On their first day of business, the company made $11.08, equivalent to $326.82 in today’s money.

Keep reading for more fun & interesting facts about October 28th in history!

Historical Events

What memorable events happened on October 28 in history? Keep reading to find out!

2019

Forty-two people were buried alive in a landslide in Bafoussam, Cameroon.

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2015

The World Health Organization ranked Tuberculosis as deadly as HIV in its list of the world’s most deadly diseases.

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1992

Lee Jang Rim, the founder of the Dami Mission Christian Movement in South Korea, declared that the world would end.

The world didn't end, and he was later convicted for stealing millions from his followers.

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1986

The Statue of Liberty celebrated its 100th birthday.

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1971

Prospero became the first British satellite to have been launched successfully by a British rocket.

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1962

The Cuban Missile Crisis Ended.

After thirteen of the tensest days of the Cold War, the Soviet Union announced it would dismantle the ballistic missiles it had placed in Cuba. In return, the United States agreed not to invade Cuba again.

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1954

Writer Ernest Miller Hemingway won the Nobel Prize in Literature.

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1904

Fingerprinting was first officially used in the US in a St. Louis police department.

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1858

Macy’s Department Store first opened.

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1811

Prince Regent George Augustus Frederick purchased the first copy of Jane Austen’s novel “Sense and Sensibility.”

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1726

English literature classic Gulliver’s Travels by Jonathan Swift was published.

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1538

The Universidad Santo Tomás de Aquino was founded in the Dominican Republic.

It was the first higher education institution formed in the New World; however, it wasn't officially recognized until 1558. The University still functions and is called the Universidad Autónoma de Santo Domingo.

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1492

Explorer Christopher Columbus discovered Cuba.

He claimed it for Spain and called it Juana.

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306 AD

Maxentius became a Roman emperor, until his death exactly six years later.

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Famous Births

Are you celebrating your birthday today? If so, did you know that you share the same birthday as Julia Roberts? See what other famous people were born on this day.

1955

Bill Gates

American Business Magnate

Age

70 years old

Born IN

Washington, USA

1949

Caitlyn Jenner

American Media Personality

Age

76 years old

Born IN

New York, USA

1967

Julia Roberts

American Actress

Age

58 years old

Born IN

Georgia, USA

1982

Matt Smith

English Actor

Age

43 years old

Born IN

England, UK

1972

Brad Paisley

American Singer

Age

53 years old

Born IN

West Virginia, USA

Birthday & Zodiac

Everyone who was born on October 28 shares the same star sign, Scorpio.

Scorpios are often misunderstood due to their harsh and fiery nature. However, they’re actually highly emotional and crave intimacy.

People born during October have the Pink Tourmaline birthstone. Ancient Egyptians believed that tourmaline came in so many different colors because it traveled across a rainbow during its creation, picking up all of its colors along the way.

If you were born on October 28th, your estimated date of conception would be February 4th in the same year.

A baby that is conceived on October 28th, 2026, will likely be due next year around July 21st.

Famous Deaths

Unfortunately, October 28th has also been a day where we've had to say some goodbyes over the years…

1969 — 2023

Matthew Perry

American-Canadian Actor Matthew Perry was born on August 19, 1969. He died on this day in 2023, at age 54 in California, USA.

1632 — 1704

John Locke

English Philosopher John Locke was born on August 29, 1632. He died on this day in 1704, at age 72 in England, UK.

Special Holidays

Are you looking for something to do today? Well, here's a few special days that might just give you some ideas.

United States

Plush Animal Lover’s Day

If you ever got out all your plush toys and played imaginary games with them or just enjoyed collecting them all on your shelf, then today is a day for you! Plush Animal Lover’s Day is the perfect opportunity to embrace your inner child, so get your plushies out today and have a play!

World

International Animation Day

Today in 1892, Charles-Émile Reynaud publicly presented the world’s first animation, “Pantomimes Lumineuses.” Today we honor this first attempt and all forms of animation made since, so pick out your favorite cartoon and watch it as much as you want today!

Fact Of The Day

In 1999, TIME Magazine removed Jesus from its online Person of the Century poll, ruling him ineligible because he was not alive in the 20th century under the poll’s stated rules.

Check out our daily facts page for fresh, random facts updated every day!

Days Until

Your countdown to 2026's upcoming special days!

• Halloween

  3 days

• Veterans Day

  14 days

• Thanksgiving

  29 days

• Christmas Day

  58 days

• New Year's Day

  65 days