October 6 in History: The Talkies Arrive, Pictured Rocks Makes History & Instagram Launches

Discover what happened on October 6 in history as new technology transformed entertainment, historic achievements changed how we explored the world, major events reshaped international affairs, and Michigan milestones helped shape the world we know today.

What Happened on October 6 in History?

On this day, The Jazz Singer helped usher Hollywood into the era of talking pictures, Pictured Rocks was formally established as a unit of the National Park System, the Detroit Lions played their first game at the Pontiac Silverdome, and Instagram officially launched.

OCTOBER 6 – TODAY IN HISTORY:

1723 – Seventeen-year-old Benjamin Franklin arrived in Philadelphia, PA. The future Founding Father had run away from his apprenticeship in Boston and arrived in the city with very little money.

1848 – The steamship SS California departed New York on a voyage around Cape Horn to San Francisco. The journey took more than four months, with the ship arriving on February 28, 1849, just as the California Gold Rush was exploding.

1866 – The Reno brothers carried out what is considered the first robbery of a moving train in U.S. history near Seymour, IN. John and Simeon Reno escaped with approximately $13,000.

1872 – Frederick Wurzburg opened a small dry goods store in Grand Rapids, MI. The business eventually grew into Wurzburg’s Department Store, a longtime fixture of downtown Grand Rapids.

1880 – The Cincinnati Reds were expelled from baseball’s National League after refusing to stop selling beer at games and renting their ballpark for Sunday baseball.

1889 – Thomas Edison demonstrated an experimental motion-picture system at his laboratory in West Orange, NJ, an important step in the development of motion-picture technology.

1927 – The Jazz Singer, starring Al Jolson, premiered in New York City. Its use of synchronized dialogue and music helped usher in the era of “talking pictures” and hastened the end of Hollywood’s silent-film era.

1927 – The Detroit Institute of Arts opened its new museum building on Woodward Avenue in Detroit, MI. The Beaux-Arts building became home to one of the nation’s most significant art collections.

1945 – Chicago tavern owner Billy Sianis and his pet goat Murphy were ejected from Wrigley Field during Game 4 of the World Series. According to legend, Sianis cursed the Chicago Cubs, beginning the infamous “Curse of the Billy Goat,” which supposedly lasted until the Cubs finally won the World Series in 2016.

1960 – The epic historical film Spartacus, starring Kirk Douglas and directed by Stanley Kubrick, premiered in New York City.

1961 – President John F. Kennedy urged Americans to prepare fallout shelters as Cold War tensions increased and fears grew over the possibility of a nuclear conflict with the Soviet Union.

1972 – Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore was formally established as a unit of the National Park System during ceremonies in Munising, MI. Authorized by Congress in 1966, Pictured Rocks was America’s first national lakeshore.

1973 – Egypt and Syria launched surprise attacks against Israel on the Jewish holy day of Yom Kippur, beginning the Yom Kippur War. The conflict lasted nearly three weeks and had major geopolitical consequences throughout the Middle East and beyond.

1975 – The Detroit Lions played their first regular-season game at the new Pontiac Silverdome before 80,642 fans. The Dallas Cowboys spoiled the celebration by defeating the Lions 36-10. The Silverdome was demolished in the Winter of 2017.

1979 – Pope John Paul II visited President Jimmy Carter at the White House, becoming the first pope in history to visit the official residence of a U.S. president.

1981 – Egyptian President Anwar Sadat was assassinated by Islamic extremists during a military parade in Cairo. Sadat had shared the 1978 Nobel Peace Prize with Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin following their historic peace negotiations.

1991 – Elizabeth Taylor married construction worker Larry Fortensky at Michael Jackson’s Neverland Ranch in California. It was Taylor’s eighth marriage.

1992 – Independent presidential candidate Ross Perot began airing a series of paid television programs explaining his political positions directly to voters, often using charts and graphs to illustrate his proposals.

1995 – Astronomers Michel Mayor and Didier Queloz announced the discovery of 51 Pegasi b, the first planet discovered orbiting a Sun-like star outside our solar system. The discovery opened a new era in the search for planets beyond our solar system.

2000 – The television crime drama CSI: Crime Scene Investigation premiered on CBS. The hit series ran for 15 seasons and spawned several spinoffs while helping popularize forensic science in television crime dramas.

2004 – The paranormal reality television series Ghost Hunters premiered on Syfy, then known as the Sci Fi Channel. The series followed investigators searching supposedly haunted locations.

2007 – British adventurer Jason Lewis completed the first human-powered circumnavigation of the globe. His 13-year journey took him more than 46,000 miles using bicycles, boats, rollerblades and other forms of human-powered transportation.

2010 – Instagram officially launched as a photo-sharing app for the iPhone. Facebook purchased the rapidly growing social-media platform less than two years later for approximately $1 billion.

2018 – The U.S. Senate voted 50-48 to confirm Brett Kavanaugh as an Associate Justice of the United States Supreme Court following one of the most contentious confirmation battles in modern history.

CELEBRITY BIRTHDAYS ON OCTOBER 6:

Jack Cullen – 87 years old (1939) – Baseball player

Richard Delgado – 87 years old (1939) – Lawyer and academic

Sheila Greibach – 87 years old (1939) – Computer scientist and academic

John J. LaFalce – 87 years old (1939) – Captain, lawyer, and politician

Lloyd Doggett – 80 years old (1946) – Lawyer and politician

Lonnie Johnson – 77 years old (1949) – Inventor

Thomas McClary – 77 years old (1949) – R&B singer-songwriter and guitarist

Leslie Moonves – 77 years old (1949) – Businessman

David Brin – 76 years old (1950) – Physicist and author

Kevin Cronin – 75 years old (1951) – Singer-songwriter, guitarist, and producer

Bill Buford – 72 years old (1954) – Author and journalist

David Hidalgo – 72 years old (1954) – Singer-songwriter and guitarist

Tony Dungy – 71 years old (1955) – Football player and coach

Kathleen Webb – 70 years old (1956) – Author and illustrator

Oil Can Boyd – 67 years old (1959) – Baseball player

Brian Higgins – 67 years old (1959) – Politician

Walter Ray Williams – 67 years old (1959) – Jr. , American bowler

David Baker – 64 years old (1962) – Biologist and academic

Rich Yett – 64 years old (1962) – Baseball player

Elisabeth Shue – 63 years old (1963) – Actress

Tom Jager – 62 years old (1964) – Swimmer and coach

Matthew Sweet – 62 years old (1964) – Singer-songwriter, guitarist, and producer

Peg O'Connor – 61 years old (1965) – Philosopher and academic

Steve Scalise – 61 years old (1965) – Lawyer and politician

Rubén Sierra – 61 years old (1965) – Puerto Rican-American baseball player

John McWhorter – 61 years old (1965) – Academic and linguist

Jacqueline Obradors – 60 years old (1966) – Actress

Tommy Stinson – 60 years old (1966) – Singer-songwriter and bass player

Bob May – 58 years old (1968) – Golfer

Amy Jo Johnson – 56 years old (1970) – Actress

Darren Oliver – 56 years old (1970) – Baseball player

Jeff B. Davis – 53 years old (1973) – Comedian, actor, and singer

Rebecca Lobo – 53 years old (1973) – Basketball player and sportscaster

Jeremy Sisto – 52 years old (1974) – Actor, producer, and screenwriter

Brett Gelman – 50 years old (1976) – Actor and comedian

Wes Ramsey – 49 years old (1977) – Actor

Richard Seymour – 47 years old (1979) – Football player

Will Butler – 44 years old (1982) – Musician and composer

Sylvia Fowles – 41 years old (1985) – Basketball player

Meg Myers – 40 years old (1986) – Singer-songwriter and guitarist

Olivia Thirlby – 40 years old (1986) – Actress

Josh Archibald – 34 years old (1992) – Canadian-American ice hockey player

Jourdan Miller – 33 years old (1993) – Fashion model

Jake Guentzel – 32 years old (1994) – Ice hockey player

Trevor Lawrence – 27 years old (1999) – Football player

Jazz Jennings – 26 years old (2000) – Internet personality

Kyle Pitts – 26 years old (2000) – Football player

Addison Rae – 26 years old (2000) – Social media personality, dancer, and singer

Bronny James – 22 years old (2004) – Basketball player

DAYS OF THE YEAR FOR OCTOBER 6:

• National Taco Day: Have a taco party with friends, go to a Mexican restaurant, or hit up a taco stand for one of the world’s most beloved and time-honored cuisines.
• National Noodle Day: Spaghetti, ramen, ziti, egg noodles…most of the best foods are noodles. Try a new kind today, or go out and treat yourself to one of the world’s favorite dishes.
• World Cerebral Palsy Day: Join or host an event, or donate your time or money to understanding cerebral palsy and supporting research and resources for this sometimes debilitating disease.
• National Coaches Day: The guiding mentors who shape athletes, instilling skills, resilience, and teamwork, elevating sportsmanship to unparalleled heights.
• National Transfer Money to Your Daughter Day: There's nothing quite like the feeling of helping someone you love achieve their goals. A little support goes a long way!
• National Physician Assistant Day: PA Week is a special time to spotlight the critical role of Physician Assistants (PAs) in healthcare. Every year, from October 6th to 12th, we shine a light on these healthcare heroes. The week starts on October 6th, a significant date marking the graduation of the first PA class in...
• National Badger Day: Donate to resources for badgers, and see if you can find somewhere to view these wonderful creatures yourself and raise awareness about their role on Earth.
• National German-American Day: Rich heritage thrives, blending Old World traditions with New World spirit, weaving a cultural tapestry enduring.
• National Mad Hatter Day: Celebrate silliness on this day devoted to John Tenniel’s Mad Hatter from Alice and Wonderland by getting weird, hosting an afternoon tea, and enjoying life.
• Dysautonomia Awareness Month: Join or host a fundraising event, do your research, and help raise awareness about dysautonomia, a class of diseases affected the autonomic nervous system.
• National Fruit at Work Day: Enjoy a healthy and happy breakfast or snack at work when celebrating National Fruit at Work Day! History of National Fruit at Work Day Founded by The FruitGuys in 1998, National Fruit at Work Day is meant to promote the health benefits of eating fruit as a snack. In lieu...
• BPD Awareness Week: Raising understanding about a mental health condition, fostering empathy for those navigating the complexities of BPD.
• National Orange Wine Day: With colors from pale peach to dark amber, orange wine is as stunning in the glass as it is bold on the tongue. Offering a unique feeling in the mouth and a wide spectrum of flavors, orange wine deserves to be celebrated – and that’s what National Orange Wine Day...
• National Plus Size Appreciation Day: Focus on celebrating the beauty of people of all shapes and sizes, focusing on body positivity, and pushing away the societal norms that indicate people need to be skinny. Despite the stigmas of society, this day is about promoting self-love and compassion. Take some time to join in on the fun...
• Inbox Zero Day: Busy office workers, business executives and even just average people can easily get overwhelmed by the abundance of emails they have just sitting in their email inboxes. Inbox Zero Day is meant to encourage people to find freedom from the tyranny of their email inboxes! History of Inbox Zero Day...
• World Space Week: Did you know that there's a whole week each year dedicated solely to celebrating the wonders of space? World Space Week, held annually in the autumn, turns eyes skyward to appreciate science and technology's roles in improving our lives through space exploration. How to Celebrate World Space Week Here are some...
• National Depression Screening Day: A quiet mood that lingers. Trouble sleeping. Losing interest in things once loved. These signs can sneak up slowly. National Depression Screening Day shines a light on them. It encourages people to pause and reflect. Are these just bad days—or something more? Quick, private screenings help sort that out. They’re...
• National Midwifery Week: Midwifery is a practice that has been around since ancient times, where an experienced person is called upon to assist and lead when a woman is giving birth. Having evolved over the years, midwives are now extremely skilled and go through rigorous training to give compassionate and competent care to...
• National Energy Geek Day: National Energy Geek Day is a spirited celebration of the professionals who dedicate their work to making homes more energy-efficient, healthier, and safer. These individuals, often referred to as "energy geeks," include energy raters, auditors, and builders who focus on improving the performance and comfort of living spaces. Their efforts often...
• International Dysgraphia Awareness Day: International Dysgraphia Awareness Day invites us into a celebration of different writing minds. It explains dysgraphia as a condition that affects letter formation, spelling, spacing, and written flow. Community members—families, teachers, therapists—gather to share tools that build writing confidence. Games, advice, and playful writing prompts help writers find strength in...
• National Dance Week: Dancing is a pastime that has been part of human life and culture for thousands of years. Whether dancing during religious and cultural festivals or simply out of personal joy and delight, people have incorporated dance into life at every turn. National Dance Week aims to bring to public attention the...
• National Manufacturing Week: National Manufacturing Week shines a spotlight on the manufacturing sector's vital role in the economy. Celebrated with events and activities, this week underscores the industry's contributions to innovation and job creation. It involves various organizations sharing data and insights, which helps highlight manufacturing's impact on daily life and the economy​. This...
• World Animal Week: Shining light on the silent plight, voices unite for the voiceless, fostering compassion, a global symphony against neglect.
• International Plasma Awareness Week: International Plasma Awareness Week is a global call to celebrate how plasma donors make a real impact on treatment. It brings focus to life-saving plasma donation and how this unique part of blood becomes medicine for people with rare and serious conditions. Donors’ actions echo far beyond the clinic. Each session...
• National Curry Week: Savor vibrant spices and rich blends, an aromatic dance on your palate, igniting a culinary journey of delight.
• Rtveli: Rtveli is a vibrant grape harvest festival celebrated across Georgia. It is a joyful blend of hard work and celebration. It's a time when people unite to collect the fruits of their labor and honor the cultural heritage of winemaking that has been cherished for generations. The festival extends beyond...
• Hispanic Heritage Month: Join an event, forum, or exhibition for Hispanic Heritage Month, and appreciate the art, history, and cultural offerings of this rich and expansive heritage.
• Mental Illness Awareness Week: Mental Illness Awareness Week (MIAW) is an annual event that highlights mental health issues. It takes place during the first week of October and aims to educate and reduce stigma around mental illnesses. This initiative brings together individuals and organizations across the nation, highlighting the urgent need for dialogue and...
• National Spinning and Weaving Week: Two different crafts that often go together, spinning and weaving are ancient practices that are still relevant in modern times to producing all sorts of textiles and fabrics. Spinning in the process of spinning raw fibers, like cotton or wool, into threads. Weaving uses the threads or yarn to layer...
• Walk Your Dog Week: Take your dog out for a long walk and give you both some exercise, or volunteer to walk shelter dogs at a rescue or humane society—maybe you’ll take one home!
• Fire Prevention Week: Head over to the NFPA (National Fire Protection Association) website to learn what you need to do to protect your home and community in case of a fire.
• Healthcare Foodservice Workers Week: These superheroes of the hospital kitchen ensure patients receive delicious, nutritious meals, taking pride in boosting morale and recovery.

Powered by Days Of The Year

For additional information check out websites like: www.on-this-day.com, www.born-today.com, www.famousbirthdays.com, www.daysoftheyear.com, and www.nationaldaycalendar.com.