What Happened On This Day – October 31
2011 Day of Seven Billion
The world's official population reached 7 billion on approximately this day. The United Nations Population Fund designated it as the Day of Seven Billion.
1999 EgyptAir Flight 990 crash
EgyptAir Flight 990 crashed off the Eastern coast of the US, killing all 217 people aboard.
1992 Catholic church regrets its handling of Galileo Galilee's case
Then Pope John Paul II acknowledged the errors committed by the Catholic Church while dealing with Galileo Galilei in the 17th century.
1984 Indira Gandhi assassinated
Indira Gandhi, the first female prime minister of India, was assassinated by two of her bodyguards. Her death sparked riots in India and New Delhi, where several thousand Sikhs were killed.
1978 South Yemen adopts constitution
The short-lived People's Democratic Republic of Yemen, or South Yemen, adopted its constitution. South Yemen eventually unified with North Yemen in 1990 to create what is today called Yemen
Births On This Day – October 31
1961 Peter Jackson
New Zealand actor, director, screenwriter, producer
1918 Ian Stevenson
American biochemist
1892 Alexander Alekhine
Russian chess player
1887 Chiang Kai-shek
Chinese military leader, politician, President of the Republic of China
1875 Vallabhbhai Patel
Indian activist, politician, 1st Deputy Prime Minister of India
Deaths On This Day – October 31
2006 P. W. Botha
South African politician, 1st State President of South Africa
1993 Federico Fellini
Italian director
1984 Indira Gandhi
Indian politician, 3rd Prime Minister of India
1926 Harry Houdini
Hungarian/American magician, actor
1916 Charles Taze Russell
American minister