This Day in History - October 1st

1908: Ford Model T goes on sale

On 1st October 1908, the Ford Model T automobile is introduced to the American market. Henry Ford and his engineers struggled for five years to produce a reliable, inexpensive car for the mass market. The fledgling automobile company settled on a promising design with their 20th attempt; the car was christened the Model T after the 20th letter in the alphabet. Affectionately known as the Tin Lizzy, the Model T revolutionised the automotive industry by providing a cheap, reliable car for the average American. The Ford Motor Company’s use of revolutionary mass-production methods such as the assembly line eventually enabled it to turn out a Model T every 24 seconds. By the time the Model T was discontinued in 1927, over 16 million of the automobiles had been sold.

Also On This Day

2005

19 people are killed as three suicide bombers launch two separate attacks in two tourist areas on the Indonesian island of Bali.

1985

In England, police are faced with a second day of rioting in Toxteth, Liverpool and Peckham, London.

1975

Muhammad Ali retains the world heavyweight boxing championship after defeating Joe Frazier in “the thriller in Manila.”

1971

Walt Disney World Resort opens in Florida, U.S.A.

1970

Millions of Egyptians line the streets of Cairo for the funeral of President Abdel Nasser.

1969

During testing in France the supersonic airliner, Concorde 001, breaks the sound barrier for the first time.

1962

African American student James Meredith attends the University of Mississippi campus in Oxford, U.S.A. under armed guard. Meredith’s presence sparks a full-scale riot in which two people are killed and hundreds injured.

1957

As the Asian flu pandemic spreads across the world the British government provides a vaccine against the influenza free on the NHS to the public.

1949

Mao Zedong proclaims The People's Republic of China.

1946

12 high-ranking Nazis, including Hermann Goering and Joachim von Ribbentrop, are sentenced to death by the International War Crimes Tribunal in Nuremberg, Germany.

1936

In Spain, military leader General Francisco Franco assumes the office of Head of State.

1928

In Spain, military leader General Francisco Franco assumes the office of Head of State.

1918

The First World War: Arab forces under Emir Faisal - including British Army officer T. E. Lawrence, Lawrence of Arabia, capture the Syrian capital Damascus from the Turks.

1890

In America, an act of Congress creates Yosemite National Park in California.

1843

In Britain, the Sunday news paper, The News of the World is first published.