October 4: Facts & Historical Events On This Day - The Fact Site

October 4th is officially Ship in A Bottle Day and Taco Day.

We made it to day 277 of the year, and there are only 88 days remaining in 2026.

October 4 in history was a day of disasters, inventions and so much more. Here you’ll discover some interesting facts and events that all make this day such an important one in history.

Did you know that on this day, October 4, 1957, Sputnik 1 became Earth’s first artificial satellite to go into orbit? It orbited for three weeks before its batteries died and then crashed down two weeks later.

Keep reading for more fun & interesting facts about October 4th in history!

Historical Events

What memorable events happened on October 4 in history? Keep reading to find out!

2017

UK Prime Minister Theresa May was “pink-slipped” during her speech at the Conservative National Conference.

Officially it was a P45 Termination of Employment paper.

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2011

Dark Souls, the second Souls game after Demon’s Souls, was released for PS3 and Xbox 360 in North America.

It wasn't quite a sequel to Demon's Souls, but it's close enough for them to be considered within the same series. Dark Souls was an incredibly well-received game with just one catch: players thought it was way too difficult!

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2006

Julian Assange launched WikiLeaks.com.

WikiLeaks is a website that archives documents, often of a sensitive, governmental nature.

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2001

143 people were killed in a Siberian Airlines plane crash that was shot down by Ukrainian Missiles over the Black Sea.

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1997

The second largest cash robbery in US history was committed.

In Charlotte, North Carolina, the Loomis, Fargo & Co vaults were robbed of $17.3 million! Twenty-four people were convicted for the theft, and 88% of the money was recovered.

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1974

John Lennon’s album “Walls and Bridges” was released in the US.

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1965

Pope John Paul IV visited New York, becoming the first Pope to visit the Western Hemisphere.

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1957

Sputnik 1 became Earth’s first artificial satellite to go into orbit.

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1927

Gutzon Borglum began sculpting Mount Rushmore.

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1918

The musical “Sometime” put on its first performance at the Shubert Theatre on Broadway, New York City, US.

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1883

The Orient Express started its first journey from Paris to Istanbul.

The original journey stopped in Germany, Austria, Romania, Serbia, and Bulgaria.

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1675

The pocket watch patent was awarded to Dutch mathematician and scientist Christiaan Huygens.

Huygens also patented the first pendulum clock in 1656.

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1582

Pope Gregory XIII introduced the concept of the Gregorian Calendar to Europe.

Some European countries didn't adopt the calendar until October 15 due to a delay in communication.

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1535

The first complete English Bible translation was published.

William Tyndale and Miles Coverdale completed the Matthew Bible.

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Famous Births

If you’re celebrating your birthday today, you share the same birthday with Dakota Johnson! Check out these other famous people who were born on this day!

1988

Melissa Benoist

American Actress

Age

37 years old

Born IN

Texas, USA

1989

Dakota Johnson

American Actress

Age

36 years old

Born IN

Texas, USA

1976

Alicia Silverstone

American Actress

Age

49 years old

Born IN

California, USA

1979

Rachael Leigh Cook

American Actress

Age

46 years old

Born IN

Minnesota, USA

Birthday & Zodiac

Those of you who were born on this day share the Libra star sign.

Libra is an air sign represented by the scales, but did you know that it’s the only inanimate object of the zodiac?

Pink tourmaline is the birthstone given to people born in October. The beautiful pink color within the tourmaline is known to protect the bearer’s heart while also supporting the healing of their emotions.

People born on October 4 were likely conceived on or around January 11 in the same year.

A baby that is conceived on this day will likely be due around June 27, 2027.

Famous Deaths

Unfortunately, October 4th has also been a day where we've had to say some goodbyes over the years…

1928 — 1974

Anne Sexton

American Poet Anne Sexton was born on November 9, 1928. She died on this day in 1974, at age 45 in Massachusetts, USA.

Quotes

What is your favorite quote from October 4? Here are the most noteworthy quotes said on this day throughout history.

1930

“Bunch together a group of people deliberately chosen for strong religious feelings, and you have a practical guarantee of dark morbidities expressed in crime, perversion, and insanity.”

H. P. Lovecraft

(American Writer)

1748

“To hold a pen is to be at war.”

Voltaire

(French Writer)

Special Holidays

If you can spare some time today, here are some unique holidays you could get involved with.

International

Ship in A Bottle Day

People have been putting ships in bottles as early as the 18th century. Most remarkably, it was often sailors on long voyages who would create them while being tossed about by the waves. So celebrate Ship In A Bottle Day today by attempting to make your own!

United States

National Taco Day

Today we celebrate the most famous food to come out of Mexico - the humble taco. If you live somewhere that has taquerias, then obviously go and get an authentic taco from there today. But, for the rest of you, why not try making your own tacos today?

Fact Of The Day

Any buried treasure found in the United Kingdom must be reported to the government and can only be kept if no museum is willing to purchase it.

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

Days Until

Your countdown to 2026's upcoming special days!

• Coming Out Day

  7 days

• Halloween

  27 days

• Veterans Day

  38 days

• Christmas Day

  82 days

• New Year's Day

  89 days