The 2010 North Sumatra earthquake and tsunami hit Indonesia, resulting in significant loss of life and devastation.
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What Happened in October?
Explorations, great battles, and crowned leaders. Discover meaningful events and milestones from October throughout history. Dates for earlier events may be approximate.
Note: Sources for the historical content shown, include research and reviews of relevant Online History Resources or printed material. When possible, we show a link to a source which provides additional or unique perspective about the event.
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The 2011 Nobel Peace Prize is jointly awarded to three female political activists Two African and one Asian female ."for their non-violent struggle for the safety of women and for women’s rights to full participation in peace-building work". The joint Laureated were: Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Liberian activist Leymah Gbowee and Yemeni politician Tawakkul Karman. All Nobel Peace Prizes
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Muammar Gaddafi was captured and killed by rebel forces near his hometown of Sirte, during the First Libyan Civil War. He was found hiding in a drainage pipe after a NATO airstrike hit his convoy as he was attempting to flee the city. His death marked the end of his 42-year rule and the overthrow of his government by the National Transitional Council (NTC).
NATO's military intervention was authorized by United Nations Security Council Resolution 1973, which called for a no-fly zone and permitted "all necessary measures" to protect civilians. NATO aircraft patrolled the skies enforcing a no-fly zone to prevent Gaddafi's air force from bombing civilian areas. NATO also conducted air and naval strikes against Gaddafi's military assets on the ground, which some have criticized as going beyond the resolution's mandate to protect civilians. More
The 2012 Nobel Peace Prize was awarded to the European Union (EU) "for over six decades of contribution to the advancement of peace and reconciliation, democracy and human rights in Europe." All Nobel Peace Prizes
Hurricane Sandy makes landfall in the northeastern United States, causing widespread damage and power outages.
The Affordable Care Act, often referred to as Obamacare, begins its enrollment phase in the United States.
The Nobel Peace Prize for 2013 is awarded to the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) "for its extensive efforts to eliminate chemical weapons." All Nobel Peace Prizes
Malala Yousafzai, then 17, and children's rights activist, Kailash Satyarthi, are jointly awarded the 2014 Nobel Peace prize for their work in combating the suppression of children and fighting for the right of all children to education. View all Nobel Peace Prizes
Canada's Parliament Hill in Ottawa is attacked by a lone gunman, resulting in the death of a soldier and the attacker.
A mass shooting takes place at Umpqua Community College in Oregon, USA, leaving multiple people dead and injured.
The Nobel Peace Prize for 2015 is awarded to National Dialogue Quartet "for its decisive contribution to the building of a pluralistic democracy in Tunisia in the wake of the Jasmine Revolution of 2011." View all Nobel Peace Prizes
Russia’s Metrojet Flight 9268 crashed minutes after takeoff from the Egyptian resort Sharm el-Sheikh to the Russian city of St. Petersburg, after an explosion brought the plane down over the Sinai Peninsula, killing all 224 people on board. ISIS claimed responsibility for the downing of the Russian airliner claiming it was done in retaliation for Russia’s airstrikes in Syria.
Hurricane Matthew, one of the most powerful Atlantic hurricanes in recent history, strikes the Caribbean making landfall in western Haiti on October 4, 2016, as a Category 4 and proceeds to 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.
Journalist Jamal Khashoggi is murdered inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul, Turkey.
Lion Air Flight 610 crashes into the Java Sea shortly after takeoff from Jakarta, Indonesia, killing all 189 people on board.
The United States announces its withdrawal from Northern Syria, leading to concerns about the situation in the region. Shortly thereafter, Turkey launched an operation into northern Syria to clear Kurdish forces from its southern border. More
Turkey launches a military offensive into northern Syria against Kurdish forces.
Protests erupt in Nigeria against police brutality and the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), leading to widespread demonstrations.
A powerful earthquake strikes the Aegean Sea, causing significant damage and loss of life in Turkey and Greece.