DeathRembrandt diesThe Dutch master of light, shadow, and the self-portrait died in Amsterdam at 63, poor and bereaved but still painting some of his greatest work.1669October 4 in history
A date of endings and launches: a master painter's death, a nation's birth, the first satellite, a star's arrival, and a record-breaking film.
October 4 opens with an ending. In 1669 Rembrandt died in Amsterdam, bankrupt and bereaved, leaving self-portraits that still read like a diary of a long life. More than a century and a half later, in 1830, a provisional government in Brussels declared the southern provinces independent of the Netherlands, the first step toward the Kingdom of Belgium, born from an opera-house riot and days of street fighting.
The 20th century brought new kinds of beginnings. In 1946 Susan Sarandon was born in Queens, the eldest of nine children and a future Oscar winner for Dead Man Walking. In 1957 the Soviet Union sent Sputnik into orbit, and its steady beeping launched the Space Race. In 2019 Joker reached American theaters and became the first R-rated film to earn a billion dollars. From a Dutch studio to a Kazakh launch pad, the date moves between art, politics, science, and screen.
DeathRembrandt diesThe Dutch master of light, shadow, and the self-portrait died in Amsterdam at 63, poor and bereaved but still painting some of his greatest work.1669
Historic eventBelgium declares independenceAfter weeks of rioting and street battles in Brussels, a provisional government declared the southern provinces free of Dutch rule.1830
BirthSusan Sarandon is bornThe New York-born actress went from Rocky Horror to an Oscar for Dead Man Walking, and paired a five-decade career with outspoken activism.1946
Science and technologyThe Soviet Union launches SputnikA small polished sphere sent its beeping signal around the globe, became the first artificial satellite, and set off the Space Race.1957
PremiereJoker opensTodd Phillips's dark origin story for Batman's nemesis opened in the United States and became the first R-rated film to earn a billion dollars.2019