October 4th

John Walker Lindh, the "American Taliban," received a 20-year sentence.

Authorities confirmed a tabloid editor in Florida had contracted anthrax. He died the next day.

End of the Mozambican Civil War. The 15-year long civil war was fought between the Mozambique Resistance Movement and the Mozambican government. The conflict, which began in 1977, just a couple of years after the War of Independence against the Portuguese, resulted in massive losses of human life and property. The civil war ended with the signing of the Rome General Peace Accords by both of the warring parties.

The German parliament met for the first time since the reunification of Germany.

Rock singer Janis Joplin was found dead of a drug overdose at age 27.

Lesotho independence. Lesotho gained independence from British rule.

Pope Paul VI made the first visit to the Western Hemisphere by a reigning pope. He came to New York to address the UN General Assembly.

The Soviet Union launched the first artificial satellite, Sputnik, into orbit around the earth, ushering in the Space Age and Space Race.

In a final confrontation, some 4000 Ashantis are defeated by the British in Gold Coast (Ghana).

The first U.S. Open Golf tournament was held in Newport, Rhode Island.

The International Herald Tribune was published for the first time.

Orient Express' 1st run, linking Turkey to Europe by rail.

Last day of the Julian Calendar in Catholic countries. The next day, the Gregorian calendar took effect in Italy, Poland, Portugal, and Spain by the order of Pope Gregory XIII. The calendar was put in place to realign events like equinoxes and solstices with the calendar, ensuring that Easter is always celebrated around the Northern Hemisphere's spring equinox. Because of the new calendar, several days were skipped, and October 4 was followed by October 15. Today, the Gregorian calendar is the most used calendar around the world.

The first complete English-language Bible (the Matthew Bible) is printed, with translations by William Tyndale and Miles Coverdale.