Browse Historical Events by Day: What Happened on October 1st?

Alexander the Great defeats Darius III of Persia in the Battle of Gaugamela, also called the Battle of Arbela. One of Alexander's finest victories and a major defeat for the Persians. More

Coronation of Queen Mary I of England and Ireland takes place at Westminster Abbey, London, This was the first coronation of a queen regnant in England, a female ruler in her own right. More

English Parliamentarian forces under Oliver Cromwell decisively defeat the Royalists at the Battle of Worcester.

President Benjamin Harrison signed the law that created Yosemite National Park. More

The first modern World Series in baseball begins between the Boston Americans (now Red Sox) and the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Henry Ford introduces the Model T automobile to the market, revolutionizing the automotive industry. More

Scientific American reports that radio will soon be used to transmit music to the home. More

China National Day. Mao Zedong's formal proclamation of the establishment of the People's Republic of China

American Express launches the American Express card. American Express previously had an international network of offices in place, and their traveler's' cheques had been accepted throughout the world for decades, this was the first credit card accepted internationally. More

Cyprus Independence day. The effective date of the Lon don-Zürich Agreements was 16 August 1960, but the public holiday was moved to October 1 to avoid summer heat and tourist season.

Nigeria Independence Day from the UK.

Walt Disney World Resort opens in Orlando, Florida.

Palau Independence Day from the United States.

The Affordable Care Act, often referred to as Obamacare, begins its enrollment phase in the United States.

A mass shooting takes place at Umpqua Community College in Oregon, USA, leaving multiple people dead and injured.

Hurricane Matthew, one of the most powerful Atlantic hurricanes in recent history, strikes the Caribbean and the southeastern United States.

A mass shooting occurs at the Route 91 Harvest music festival in Las Vegas, USA, leaving 58 people dead and hundreds injured.