On This Day – October 28
Image source: The GrayVine
Ready to take a trip down memory lane? Let’s look back at some of the most significant events in American history that happened on this day, starting with…
1492: Columbus Sighted Cuba
During his first voyage across the Atlantic, Christopher Columbus reached and claimed the island of Cuba for Spain, naming it “Juana” in honor of Prince Juan of Aragon.
1538: The First University in the Americas Was Established
The Universidad Santo Tomás de Aquino was founded on Hispaniola (now the Dominican Republic), becoming the first university in the New World and a cornerstone of higher education in the Americas.
1746: A Massive Earthquake Devastated Lima and Callao
An earthquake destroyed the Peruvian cities of Lima and Callao, killing around 18,000 people and triggering a tsunami that wiped out most of Callao’s population.
1831: Michael Faraday Demonstrated the Dynamo
British scientist Michael Faraday presented his revolutionary discovery of electromagnetic induction, creating the first electric generator—a breakthrough that laid the foundation for modern electricity.
1886: The Statue of Liberty Was Dedicated in New York
President Grover Cleveland formally dedicated the Statue of Liberty on Liberty Island, a gift from France symbolizing freedom and democracy. The celebration included New York’s first-ever ticker-tape parade.
1904: St. Louis Police Used Fingerprints for the First Time
The St. Louis police department introduced fingerprinting as an investigative tool, marking a major step forward in modern forensic science.
1919: Prohibition Was Enacted Through the Volstead Act
Congress passed the Volstead Act over President Woodrow Wilson’s veto, setting the stage for nationwide Prohibition by defining the legal limits and enforcement of the alcohol ban.
1924: The “Taung Child” Fossil Was Discovered
In a quarry in South Africa, miner M. de Bruin found a fossilized skull later identified by anthropologist Raymond Dart as Australopithecus africanus, reshaping the understanding of human evolution.
1961: Fiorello! Ended Its Broadway Run
The hit musical Fiorello! closed after 796 performances at the Broadhurst Theatre in New York. The show, inspired by the life of Mayor Fiorello LaGuardia, had earlier won both a Pulitzer Prize and the Tony Award for Best Musical.
2015: Scientists Traced the Origins of the Plague
Researchers from the University of Copenhagen published findings in Cell revealing that the plague-causing bacterium dated back over 5,000 years—much earlier than previously believed.
Do you remember any of these events? Or do you have more events (historical or not!) you'd like to share with the community? Post them below and let's reminisce together!
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