October 1st is significant for Nigeria’s independence from British rule in 1960.
In fact, the date is an official national holiday which Nigerians look forward to in celebratory moods. For 5 other countries, October 1st is a day which has gone their history books for happenings that aren’t necessarily celebratory.
1st October 1949:
Did you know that the Peoples Republic of China was established on the 1st of October 1949? That was roughly a decade before Nigeria gained independence and 14 years before our nation became a republic in 1963. October 1 is known as National Day of China. The country marked her 71st anniversary of the Founding of the People’s Republic of China hours ago and will no doubts, celebrate subsequent anniversaries.
1st October 2017:
For citizens of the United States, the unfortunate incident of October 1, 2017, is still fresh. It was on that ill-fated day that a 64-year-old gunman known as Stephen Paddock opened fire on a music festival in Las Vegas. The shootings which he carried from a nearby hotel room led to the death of at least 58 people, while hundreds of other persons were injured before he took his own life. The Las Vegas shooting is known as the deadliest mass shooting in modern U.S. history till date. It surpasses the 2016 Orlando Shootings, which recorded fewer casualties.
1st October 1994:
Have you ever heard of the Republic of Palau? it is an Island country in the western Pacific Ocean. Palau used to be a part of the United States-governed Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands. It wasn’t until the 1st of October 1994 that the country officially became a sovereign state. The country is in free association with the United States, which provides it with funding, defence and access to social services.
1st October 2013:
South Korea held a major military parade 7 years ago amid tension with North Korea. The Parade which is considered as Seoul’s largest show of force in decades, was a part of activities marking the country’s army 65th anniversary. Thus, It featured the display of enormous weapons that include cruise missiles and torpedos. In addition, no fewer than 11,000 troops, 120 aircraft, 190 weapon Systems among other equipment were featured in the ceremony.
1st October 2017:
Also in 2017, the Spanish region of Catalonia held a referendum on independence despite government crackdown. The vote which was the region’s second referendum on independence in three years, sought to make Catalonia become an independent state. About 92 percent of the 2,286,217 voters wanted independence while 7.99 percent were against it. The results are yet to be legalized as Catalan and Spanish leaders explore negotiations. Whichever way things go, Spain will not be quick to forget the “unconstitutional” Catalan independence referendum of 1st October 2017.
