Sep
October 2025
Nov
On This Day 5 mins Read

October 1: Facts & Historical Events On This Day

Did you know that on this day, October 1, 1971, Walt Disney World Resort officially opened in Florida?

Fact Checked Human Written Verified Sources Regularly Updated

October 1st celebrates CD Player Day and Homemade Cookie Day.

We’ve reached the 274th day of the year. There are 91 days remaining in 2025.

Today may be a special day for you, or maybe you just want to know more about all the interesting historical things that happened on this day. Well you’ve come to the right place!

Did you know that on this day, October 1, 1971, Walt Disney World Resort officially opened in Florida? Walt Disney himself had chosen the location during a survey of the area.

Keep reading for more fun & interesting facts about October 1st in history!

Historical Events

What memorable events happened on October 1 in history? Keep reading to find out!

Claudia Sheinbaum was sworn in as Mexico’s first female president.

Bernie Sanders suffered a heart attack.

O. J. Simpson was released from prison.

OTD in 2017: O. J. Simpson was released from prison.

O. J. Simpson was an NFL player and was sentenced to 33 years for armed robbery and kidnapping.

Mass murderer, Stephen Paddock, shot dead 59 people and injured 869 while firing at 22,000 concertgoers in Las Vegas, Nevada, US.

Afterward, Paddock returned to his hotel room, where he shot himself.

A large explosion above the Pacific Ocean turned out to be a meteorite.

It was originally thought to be a nuclear event; however, analysis concluded that the exploding object had been a stony, 100-ton asteroid.

Sony released the world’s first CD player in Japan.

Compact Discs, or CDs, were invented through a partnership between Sony and Philips. Sony released the CDP-101 CD player in Japan earlier than the rest of the world because Philips couldn't meet the agreed-upon launch date. Six months later, Philips released their own CD100 CD player.

Walt Disney World Resort officially opened in Florida.

OTD in 1971: Walt Disney World Resort officially opened in Florida.

The star guest of the grand opening was William, Windsor Junior.

Night of the Living Dead was released in US cinemas.

American rock band, The Beach Boys released their first album, “Surfin’ Safari.”

Nigeria, Africa, gained its independence from British rule.

OTD in 1960: Nigeria

This day is now celebrated every year as Nigeria's Independence Day.

Supreme Court ruled bans on interracial marriage unconstitutional.

Newark Liberty International Airport opened, becoming the first airport in the New York City metropolitan area.

The Ford Motor Company shipped the first Ford Model T to a customer.

Henry Ford tested the Model T by taking it on a hunting trip across Michigan and Wisconsin. After he was happy with the car's durability, he gave the OK to begin production on a mass scale.

The United States Congress established Yosemite National Park.

OTD in 1890: The United States Congress established Yosemite National Park.

The first volume of “Little Women” by Louisa May Alcott was published in the US.

Rudolf I became king of Germany and reigned until he died in 1291.

Edgar the Peaceful, noted for his peacekeeping, became King of England.

Famous Births

Is today your birthday? If so, you share the same birthday with Julie Andrews. Here are a few other famous people born on this day.

1989

Brie Larson

American Actress

Age

36 years old

Born IN

California, USA

1935

Julie Andrews

English Actress

Age

90 years old

Born IN

England, UK

1987

Matthew Daddario

American Actor

Age

38 years old

Born IN

New York, USA

1924

Jimmy Carter

American President

Age

101 years old

Born IN

Georgia, USA

1956

Theresa May

British Politician

Age

69 years old

Born IN

England, UK

1969

Zach Galifianakis

American Actor

Age

56 years old

Born IN

North Carolina, USA

Birthday & Zodiac

For those of you who were born on this day, your star sign is Libra.

Libras are great listeners, meaning they often pick up on gossip. However, take care when spilling secrets to Libras, as they can be known as gossip queens!

Those of you that were born in October have the Pink Tourmaline birthstone. The pink tourmaline provides both compassion and wisdom. On the compassionate side, pink tourmaline helps create loyal, long-lasting friendships and love. The warmth of this stone opens the hearts to the wisdom of those born this month.

If you were born on this day, you would likely have been conceived on or around January 8 of the same year.

A baby that is conceived on this day will be born around June 24th, 2026.

Famous Deaths

Unfortunately, October 1st has also been a day where we've had to say some goodbyes over the years…

1947 — 2013

Tom Clancy

American Novelist Tom Clancy was born on April 12, 1947. He died on this day in 2013, at age 66 in Maryland, USA.

Special Holidays

If you're looking for something to do today, maybe these special holidays might just help to cure your boredom!

United States

National CD Player Day

On October 1, 1982, Sony brought music to a new level when they released the first CD player. CDs have since gone out of fashion, but they’ll always hold a special place in our hearts. So celebrate CD Player Day today by digging out your old CDs and listening to your favorite songs!

United States

National Homemade Cookie Day

Sure, cookies from the grocery store are all well and good, but they pale compared to homemade cookies! The best way to celebrate National Homemade Cookie Day is to bake your own cookies, but failing that, at least get some cookies that are baked in-house in a bakery!

Fact Of The Day

Days Until

Your countdown to 2025's upcoming special days!

  • Coming Out Day

    10 days

  • Halloween

    30 days

  • Veterans Day

    41 days

  • Thanksgiving

    57 days

  • Christmas Day

    85 days

  • New Year's Day

    92 days

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About The Author

Luke Ward
Owner

Luke Ward is the owner of FactstoryHub. He has over 14 years of experience in researching, informative writing, fact-checking, SEO & web design. In his spare time, he loves to explore the world, drink coffee & attend trivia nights.

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