28 October in history

5 events that happened on 28 October, from 312 to 1958.

  1. 312 CE 1,714 years ago

    Constantine defeats Maxentius at the Milvian Bridge

    Constantine's army defeated his rival Maxentius outside Rome, and Maxentius drowned in the Tiber. Constantine credited the Christian God with his victory and went on to legalise and favour Christianity.

  2. ✦ Anniversary of the day

    1492 CE 534 years ago

    Columbus reaches Cuba

    On his first voyage, Christopher Columbus landed on the north-east coast of Cuba. Convinced he was near Asia, he sent envoys inland in search of the court of the Great Khan.

    Spanish EmpireChristopher ColumbusGreat Khan

  3. 1886 CE 140 years ago

    The Statue of Liberty is dedicated in New York Harbor

    President Grover Cleveland dedicated Liberty Enlightening the World, a gift from the people of France, on Bedloe's Island. The statue became a symbol of welcome for millions of immigrants.

    New York

  4. 1940 CE 86 years ago

    Italy invades Greece from Albania

    Mussolini's forces invaded Greece after Prime Minister Metaxas rejected an ultimatum. The Greeks drove the Italians back into Albania, and Germany invaded the following spring to rescue its ally.

    Greece

  5. 1958 CE 68 years ago

    Angelo Roncalli is elected Pope John XXIII

    The 76-year-old patriarch of Venice was elected pope, widely seen as a caretaker. Within three months he announced the Second Vatican Council, which transformed the Catholic Church.

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