Discover · History

On this day — October 30

A hand-curated thread of what happened on this date, across centuries.

2023

Milestone

First rescue of a prisoner during the Israeli invasion of Gaza.

2022

Milestone

A pedestrian suspension bridge collapses in the city of Morbi

Gujarat, leading to the deaths of at least 135 people.

2020

Disaster

A magnitude 7.0 earthquake strikes the Aegean Sea between Greece and Turkey, triggering a tsunami

At least 119 people die mainly due to collapsed buildings.

2015

Disaster

A fire in a nightclub in the Romanian capital of Bucharest kills sixty-four people and leaves more than 147 injured.

2014

Milestone

Sweden becomes the first European Union member state to officially recognize Palestine as an independent and sovereign state.

2014

Milestone

Four people are killed when a Beechcraft Super King Air crashes at Wichita Dwight D

Eisenhower National Airport in Wichita, Kansas.

2013

Disaster

Forty-five people are killed and seven injured after a bus catches fire in Mahabubnagar district

Andhra Pradesh (present-day Telangana), India.

2005

Politics

The rebuilt Dresden Frauenkirche (destroyed in the firebombing of Dresden during World War II) is reconsecrated after a thirteen-year rebuilding project.

1995

Milestone

Quebec citizens narrowly vote (50.58% to 49.42%) in favour of remaining a province of Canada in their second referendum on national sovereignty.

1991

Milestone

The Israeli-Palestinian conflict

The Madrid Conference commences in an effort to revive peace negotiations between Israel and Palestine.

1985

Milestone

Space Shuttle Challenger lifts off for mission STS-61-A

its final successful mission.

1983

Politics

The first democratic elections in Argentina

after seven years of military rule, are held.

1983

Disaster

A magnitude 6.6 earthquake in the Turkish provinces of Erzurum and Kars leaves approximately 1,340 people dead.

1980

Politics

El Salvador and Honduras agree to put the border dispute fought over in 1969's Football War before the International Court of Justice.

1975

Milestone

Prince Juan Carlos I of Spain becomes acting head of state, taking over for the country's ailing dictator, Gen

Francisco Franco.