October 31

Today in History
• 1541 - Michelangelo finishes painting "The Last Judgement" in the Sistine Chapel
• 1587 - Leiden University Library opens its doors after its founding in 1575
• 1759 - Earthquake in Safed, Palestine kills hundreds
• 1793 - Execution of Girondins in Paris during Reign of Terror
• 1815 - Cornishman Sir Humphry Davy patents miner's safety lamp
• 1837 - Collision of river boat Monmouth and Trement on Mississippi; 300 die
• 1864 - Nevada admitted as 36th state of the Union
• 1868 - Standard uniform approved for US postal carriers


Holidays - Traditional and Obscure
• Books For Treats Day
• Girl Scout Founder’s Day
• Halloween
• Magic Day
• National Doorbell Day
• National Unity Day (Rashtriya Ekta Diwas)
• Reformation Day
• Samhain

Birthdays
• 1345 - Ferdinand I, King of Portugal (1367-83)
• 1424 - Wladyslaw III Warnenczyk, King of Poland and Hungary
• 1636 - Ferdinand Maria, Elector of Bavaria (1651-79)
• 1705 - Pope Clement XIV [Giovanni Ganganelli], Pope (1769-74)
• 1740 - William Paca, American judge and signer (Declaration of Independence)
• 1838 - Luís I, King of Portugal (1861-89)
• 1860 - Juliette Gordon Low, American activist and founder of the Girl Scouts of America
• 1892 - Ruth Fuller Sasaki, U.S., Zen teacher, 1st Zen Institute of America