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What happened on October 31st?
A major shift in US policy marks a turning point in a decade-long conflict
Matthew Jones
October 31, 2024
1968 US President Lyndon B. Johnson Orders End to Bombing in Vietnam
On October 31st, 1968, President Lyndon B. Johnson announced the cessation of American bombing in North Vietnam, marking a critical moment in the Vietnam War. This decision, intended to facilitate peace talks and de-escalate military conflict, came after mounting public pressure and anti-war protests. The halt in bombing was seen as a significant gesture toward ending US involvement, though peace negotiations would continue for several more years before the war's conclusion.
President Lyndon B. Johnson, family members, and staff watch the President's announcement of the bombing halt on television on October 31, 1968, while his grandson Patrick Lyndon Nugent, wearing his Halloween costume, plays in front of them.
🗞️Today’s Headlines
Everything important that’s ever happened on October 31:
1962 ─ What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?, starring Bette Davis and Joan Crawford, premiered in American theatres, becoming a classic psychological thriller.
1961 ─ Stalin’s body was removed from Lenin’s tomb in Red Square as part of Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev’s de-Stalinization efforts.
1941 ─ The Mount Rushmore National Memorial in South Dakota was completed, featuring the carved faces of four US presidents after nearly 15 years of work.
1922 ─ Benito Mussolini became the youngest prime minister in Italian history, marking the beginning of his Fascist dictatorship.
1864 ─ Nevada was admitted as the 36th state of the United States, just days before the presidential election of Abraham Lincoln.
1632 ─ Dutch painter Johannes Vermeer, known for his masterful use of light in domestic scenes, was baptized in Delft.
1517 ─ Martin Luther’s Ninety-five Theses were posted on the church door in Wittenberg, igniting the Protestant Reformation across Europe.
🎂 Today’s Birthdays
On October 31, we’re singing to:
Adolf von Baeyer (1835) ─ German chemist and Nobel laureate recognized for his work on organic dyes and the synthesis of indigo.
Peter Jackson (1961) ─ New Zealand director and producer best known for The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit trilogies.
🪦Who Died Today?
On October 31, we’re saying goodbye to:
Francesco Foscari (1457) ─ Doge of Venice whose reign was marked by territorial expansion and political intrigue.
Harry Houdini (1926) ─ Illusionist and escape artist famous for his daring stunts and contributions to modern magic.
Indira Gandhi (1984) ─ Prime Minister of India and the first and only woman to hold the office. She was assassinated during her term.
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