Memorable Events in History that Happened on Halloween

Halloween or All Hallows Eve is a holiday that is associated with scary costumes and candy in many modern day societies. Despite all this spooky and sweet treat commotion; Halloween is really just a day like another. Nonetheless, many memorable events have occurred on Halloween throughout history.

Galileo Galilei Exonerated by the Catholic Church on Halloween-1992

Galileo was a 17th century astronomer and physicist who strongly and correctly believed that the Earth moved around the sun, not the other way around. Leaders of the church found his claims to be heretical and chastised him for it. That did not work, so he was tried and put in jail. Shortly after his imprisonment, he was allowed to go home. However, he was put on house arrest and remained in his home until the day he died.

On October 31, 1992, Pope John Paul II announced that Galileo was exonerated by the Catholic Church. It only took them 359 years to figure out he was right.

Houdini Dies on Halloween-1926

On October 22, 1926, Harry Houdini was in his dressing room at the Princess Theater in Montreal when a student asked him about his abdominal strength. There are many different versions of the story, but they all lead to Houdini being punched in the stomach by the student. He seems to have given his permission.

Harry Houdini suffered from abdominal pain in the days following the incident, but attributed them to the blows he was dealt. Two days later, he was in surgery having his appendix removed. He died from peritonitis on October 31, 1926. Halloween is also National Magic Day in honor of this great magician.

Indira Gandhi is Assassinated on Halloween-1966

Indira Gandhi was the first female Prime Minister of India and the daughter of India's first Prime Minister. She was a proponent for social equality in the unbalanced nation and made many friends and enemies because of it. She also made enemies through allegedly questionable political methods.

On October 31, 1966, Indira Gandhi was assassinated while serving her fourth term as India's Prime Minister. She was assassinated by her own bodyguards.

The First Hydrogen Bomb is Detonated on Halloween-1952

The scariest Halloween movie in the world would not be scarier than this Halloween event. This is real horror. On October 31, 1952, the United States detonated "The Sausage" on Elugelab Island and the island was disappeared. "The Sausage" was the first hydrogen bomb ever tested.

Halloween has a long and varied history. Most of us are aware of its pagan roots and its current place in society. It is also interesting to know some of the things that have taken place on this ever-changing holiday, even if it does not have anything to do with witches or demons.

Sources

How'd the Russians get the H bomb, retrieved 10/7/10, harvard.edu/gazette/story/2009/05/how'd-the-russians-get-the-h-bomb

Chandrankunnel, Matthew, The Condemnation and Rehabilitation of Galileo, retreived 10/7/10, metanexus.net/magazine/tabid/68id/8850/Default.aspx

Punched Out, retrieved 10/7/10, snopes.com/horros/freakish/houdini.asp

Indira Gandhi, retrieved 10/7/10, websww.8m.net/honmembers/ghandi.html