Sunday, October 5th: Monty Python’s Flying Circus Premiers
On October 5th, 1969, Monty Python’s Flying Circus premiered on BBC One. The series featured 45 episodes over its run, until it ended in 1974. The show was a comedy, but its members were highly educated, with two of them being Oxford University graduates, and three more having attended Cambridge University. Throughout its run, the show drew great acclaim and great criticism for its satiric descriptions of English society.
Monday, October 6th: Thomas Edison Shows Off First Motion Picture
Even though Thomas Edison is most remembered for the light bulb, he actually held about 1,300 international patents. One of his inventions, the Kinetophone, was used on October 6th, 1889 to premier the very first motion picture. It was a huge success! Later on, the Edison Company started its own production company, producing more than 1,700 films.
Tuesday, October 7th: Battle of Lepanto
On October 7th, 1571, the fleet of the Holy League decisively defeated the fleet of the Ottoman Empire off of Greece. This battle was a turning point in stopping the advance of the Ottomans into Europe. This was the first major naval battle that the Ottomans had lost since the 1400’s. It was a catastrophic blow, and, even though the Ottomans were able to replace the ships they lost, they could never replace the experienced sailors who had died.
Wednesday, October 8th: First Perfect Game in the History of the World Series
Don Larson, former pitcher for the New York Yankees, pitched the first perfect game, or no-hitter, in the history of the World Series on October 8th, 1956. This game is one out of twenty-three perfect games in the history of the MLB. It remained the only perfect game until 2010, when Roy Halladay pitched a no-hitter against the Cincinnati Reds. Larson’s amazing game earned him the World Series MVP award and the Babe Ruth award.
Thursday, October 9th: Beginning of the Jewish Holiday of Sukkot
Sukkot begins at sundown on October 8th, and continues until sundown on October 15th. Sukkot, also known as the Feast of Booths, is a biblical Jewish holiday. During the holiday, Jewish families live in sukkahs, or booths, that they build themselves. The sukkah is meant to help the Jewish people remember the dwellings of the Israelites as they wandered in the desert for 40 years after the Exodus form Egypt.
Friday, October 10th: Fiji Becomes Independent From the United Kingdom
The Republic of Fiji became independent from the United Kingdom on October 10th, 1970. Fiji is comprised of an archipelago of more than 332 islands, only 110 of which are permanently inhabited. Europeans began settling permanently on the island during the 1800’s, with the British taking control. Then, in 1970, the British granted Fiji independence.
Saturday, October 11th:Saturday Night Live Premiers
On October 11th, 1975, the television show Saturday Night Live first premiered. SNL originated under the title NBC’s Saturday Night. Throughout its run into the present, SNL has won 36 Primetime Emmy Awards, and was ranked 10th in TV Guide’s 50 Greatest TV Shows of All Time. It has received over 150 Emmy nominations, the most received by any one show in history.
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