26 fun facts for October, 4

Discover dozens of fun facts for this special day. Read the summary for a quick recap on what happened.
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Summary
October 4 is an eventful date in history, with events spanning from the launch of Sputnik 1 and the beginnings of the space race, to the celebration of World Animal Day and the unveiling of the highly influential Barbie doll. This day also marks a wide range of national and international celebrations, including National Taco Day, National Golf Day, Estonia's Flag Day, and Sweden's Cinnamon Roll Day.
26 Fun facts
  1. On October 4, 1957, the Soviet Union launched Sputnik 1, the first artificial satellite to be sent into space. This event marked the beginning of the space race between the United States and the Soviet Union.
  2. October 4 is celebrated as World Animal Day, with the mission to raise awareness about the plight of animals and to improve their welfare standards worldwide. The day coincides with the feast day of St. Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of animals and the environment.
  3. October 4 is National Taco Day in the United States, celebrating the popular Mexican dish made of corn or wheat tortillas filled with various ingredients such as meat, cheese, and vegetables.
  4. In 1927, sculptor Gutzon Borglum began the carving of Mount Rushmore, an iconic American landmark featuring the faces of four U.S. presidents: George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln.
  5. In 1941, Ruth Handler, an American businesswoman, introduced the first line of teenage fashion dolls called "Barbie" after her daughter Barbara. The Barbie doll became an iconic global toy and collectible.
  6. On October 4, 1988, the Chilean population held a plebiscite to determine whether or not General Augusto Pinochet would remain in power for another eight years. Pinochet lost and left office in 1990.
  7. In 1993, Frank Eugene Corder stole a Cessna plane and crashed it into the White House lawn. Corder's motives remain unclear, but he was the only person killed in the incident.
  8. On October 4, 2004, the first privately-funded spacecraft, SpaceShipOne, successfully completed its second suborbital flight, paving the way for future space tourism and private space exploration.
  9. In 1582, October 4 was the last day of the Julian calendar in Spain, Portugal, and parts of Italy. The Gregorian calendar, which is still in use today, was introduced on the following day, October 15.
  10. In 1955, Elvis Presley made his first-ever television appearance on the show "Louisiana Hayride," performing his hit song "That's All Right."
  11. On October 4, 1901, the first motorized vacuum cleaner, called the "Puffing Billy," was patented by British engineer Hubert Cecil Booth.
  12. In 2018, the "homeless Jesus" sculpture was unveiled in Dublin, Ireland. This thought-provoking piece depicts Jesus as a homeless person sleeping on a bench, drawing attention to the issue of homelessness in the city.
  13. On October 4, 1954, the first temperature-controlled railway car, developed by the New York Central Railroad, was tested between New York City and Chicago.
  14. In 1965, Beatles frontman John Lennon made his legendary comment that the Beatles were "more popular than Jesus." This statement ignited a firestorm of controversy and led to many protests and Beatles record burnings.
  15. In 1992, a cargo plane of the Israeli airline El Al crashed into an apartment building in Amsterdam, Netherlands, killing 43 people and injuring 26 others.
  16. October 4 is National Golf Day in the United States, recognizing the sport's long history in the country and its impact on the economy.
  17. Estonia celebrates National Flag Day on October 4, marking the first time the country's blue, black, and white flag was raised on October 4, 1881, at the Pärnu Pharmacy.
  18. On October 4, 1931, American aviator Clyde "Upside-Down" Pangborn became the first person to fly non-stop across the Pacific Ocean, departing from Misawa, Japan, and landing in Wenatchee, Washington.
  19. Marcus Licinius Crassus defeated Spartacus in 71 BC, effectively ending the Third Servile War and the slave revolt led by the gladiator.
  20. In 1861, Frederick W. Loring published "AROUND THE WORLD" in a balloon, one of the earliest works of science fiction.
  21. In 1958, first trans-Atlantic passenger jet service was established by British Overseas Airways Corporation (BOAC), flying from London (Heathrow) to New York (Idlewild, now JFK).
  22. In 1970, American rock musician Janis Joplin was found dead of a drug overdose in her Hollywood hotel room at the age of 27.
  23. In 1976, British rail worker Pat Higginbottom established a new world record by pushing a row of 216 beer barrels, weighing 5.5 tons, over a distance of 353 feet (107 meters) in two minutes and twenty-seven seconds.
  24. In 1997, the Camp David peace talks between Israel and Palestine began with United States President Bill Clinton acting as a mediator.
  25. In 2008, SpaceX successfully launched Falcon 1, the first privately-funded liquid-fueled rocket to reach Earth's orbit.
  26. October 4 is Cinnamon Roll Day in Sweden, also known as Kanelbullens Dag, where these sweet treats are celebrated across the country.

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