This Week in History: Week 44

October 28 – November 3

Over 105 historical moments took place during these 7 days of the calendar year. Explore our curated digest of the most world-changing events, iconic births, and notable deaths.

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Major Events (October 28 – November 3)(20)

1965 – 2020

1965⚡ Event

Gateway Arch completed

In St. Louis, Missouri, U.S., the 630-foot (190 m)-tall steel catenary Gateway Arch was completed.

technology

1971⚡ Event

Prospero, the first British satellite, launched

Prospero, the first British satellite launched on a British rocket, lifted off from Launch Area 5B in Woomera, South Australia.

sciencetechnologyspace

1991⚡ Event

Madrid Conference

The Madrid Conference, an attempt by the international community to revive the Israeli–Palestinian peace process through negotiations, convened on October 30, 1991.

politicslaw

1992⚡ Event

Hans-Adam II threatens to dismiss Liechtenstein's Landtag

Hans-Adam II threatened to dismiss the Landtag of Liechtenstein over disagreements on the date of a referendum for the country's accession to the EEA.

politics

1993⚡ Event

Halloween party attack in Northern Ireland

During The Troubles, three members of the Ulster Defence Association opened fire in a crowded pub during a Halloween party on October 30, 1993. Eight people were killed and nineteen others were wounded.

warpoliticsdisaster

1998⚡ Event

John Glenn Returns to Space

At 77 years old, former astronaut John Glenn returned to space aboard the Space Shuttle Discovery on the STS-95 mission.

spacescience

1999⚡ Event

Odisha Cyclone

About 10,000 people died when the most intense tropical cyclone ever recorded in the North Indian Ocean made landfall in Odisha, India.

disaster

1999⚡ Event

EgyptAir Flight 990 Crash

All 217 people on board EgyptAir Flight 990 perished when the aircraft crashed into the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Nantucket, Massachusetts.

disaster

2000⚡ Event

Singapore Airlines Flight 006 Crash

Singapore Airlines Flight 006 collided with construction equipment while attempting to take off in Taiwan, killing 83 people.

disastertechnology

2002⚡ Event

Warren Zevon's last public appearance

After his terminal-cancer diagnosis, Warren Zevon made his last public appearance on the Late Show with David Letterman on October 30, 2002. He gave the advice to "enjoy every sandwich".

entertainmentmusic

2003⚡ Event

Mahathir Mohamad Retires as Prime Minister of Malaysia

After 22 years in power, Mahathir Mohamad retired as Prime Minister of Malaysia.

politics

2005⚡ Event

Discovery of Pluto's Moons Nix and Hydra Announced

The discovery of the Plutonian moons Nix and Hydra was announced, based on Hubble Space Telescope photographs.

sciencespace

2007⚡ Event

Cristina Fernández de Kirchner elected president of Argentina

In the Argentine general election, Cristina Fernández de Kirchner became the first woman to be elected president of Argentina.

politics

2007⚡ Event

Somali Pirates Hijack North Korean Ship

Somali pirates hijacked a North Korean ship in the Indian Ocean northeast of Mogadishu.

law

2010⚡ Event

Rally to Restore Sanity and/or Fear

American comedians Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert hosted the Rally to Restore Sanity and/or Fear in Washington, D.C. on October 30, 2010.

politicsentertainment

2012⚡ Event

Hurricane Sandy Makes Landfall

Hurricane Sandy, the largest Atlantic hurricane on record, made landfall in New Jersey causing nearly $75 billion in damages.

disaster

2013⚡ Event

Terrorist attack in Beijing

The first terrorist attack in Beijing's recent history occurred when members of the Turkistan Islamic Party drove a vehicle into a crowd, killing five people and injuring thirty-eight others.

politicswar

2013⚡ Event