Mischief Night
In parts of the US, Canada, and Great Britain, October 30 is celebrated as Mischief Night. It’s a night for older children, teens, and adults to engage in a little mischief, and has a history dating back to the 1700s!
International History
U.S. Places Embargo on Cuban Goods
On October 19, 1960, President Dwight D. Eisenhower established the first embargo on Cuba. It banned most US exports to Cuba, including postage stamps!
The First Oktoberfest
The first Oktoberfest began on October 12, 1810. Initially a celebration for the crowned prince’s wedding, it’s grown to become the largest folk festival in the world.
Birth of Severo Ochoa
Severo Ochoa de Albornoz was born on September 24, 1905, in Luarca, Spain. Ochoa researched how cells build proteins like RNA, which earned him the Nobel Prize in 1956.
Happy Birthday Frank Laubach
Missionary Frank Charles Laubach was born on September 2, 1884, in Benton, Pennsylvania. He dedicated his life to teaching people around the world to read, visiting more than 100 countries and developing books for 312 different languages.
Germany Invades Poland
On September 1, 1939, Germany launched a land, sea, and air invasion of Poland, marking the start of World War II in Europe.
Birth of President Lyndon B. Johnson
America’s 36th President, Lyndon Baines Johnson, was born on August 27, 1908, in Stonewall, Texas. President Johnson promoted a “Great Society” and signed many initiatives into law aimed at civil rights, public broadcasting, health, education, the arts, and public services.
Opening of the 1972 Summer Olympics
On August 26, 1972, the Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XX Olympiad, opened in Munich, West Germany. The first games held in Germany since 1936, they were overshadowed by the “Munich Massacre.”
Founding of NATO
On August 24, 1949, the North Atlantic Treaty came into force, officially establishing the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). The purpose of NATO was to maintain a unified military force to defend against Soviet invasion.