Historic eventMao proclaims the People's Republic of ChinaFrom the Tiananmen Gate in Beijing, Mao Zedong announced a new government, ending decades of civil war and founding the state that still rules mainland China.1949October 1 in history
October 1 joins the founding of a new Chinese state, a Florida theme park, the first CD player, and a cartoon dog who charmed families everywhere.
October 1 carries the weight of nations. In 1949, Mao Zedong stood on the Tiananmen Gate in Beijing and proclaimed the People’s Republic of China, closing decades of civil war and founding the state that still governs the mainland. A decade later, in 1959, Italy lost Enrico De Nicola, the Neapolitan lawyer who had served as provisional head of state after the monarchy fell and became the first President of the Italian Republic.
The rest of the date belongs to leisure and everyday life. In 1971, the Magic Kingdom opened near Orlando to a deliberately small crowd, the first piece of a Walt Disney World resort that grew into the busiest vacation destination on the planet. In 1982, Sony put the CDP-101 on sale in Japan, the first compact disc player, and music began its move from grooves to laser-read data. In 2018, a Blue Heeler puppy named Bluey arrived on Australian television and went on to win over parents as much as children. Together, the five stories run from revolutions and constitutions to living rooms and playtime.
Historic eventMao proclaims the People's Republic of ChinaFrom the Tiananmen Gate in Beijing, Mao Zedong announced a new government, ending decades of civil war and founding the state that still rules mainland China.1949
DeathEnrico De Nicola diesThe Neapolitan lawyer who guided Italy from monarchy to republic, serving as its first head of state and first president, died at 81.1959
FoundingWalt Disney World opensThe Magic Kingdom opened near Orlando to a modest crowd, the first step of a Florida resort that grew into the most visited vacation destination in the world.1971
Science and technologyThe first CD player goes on saleSony launched the CDP-101 in Japan, the first compact disc player sold to the public, and opened the digital era of recorded music.1982
PremiereBluey premieresAn Australian cartoon about a Blue Heeler puppy and her family debuted on ABC Kids, then won over children and parents far beyond Brisbane.2018