What Happened on October 6?

October 6 is German-American Day — honoring German immigrants and culture — on the same date The Jazz Singer premiered in 1927, Germantown was founded in 1683, Instagram launched in 2010, and astronomers announced exoplanet 51 Pegasi b in 1995.

• 1683 — Germantown is founded near Philadelphia

  On October 6, 1683, thirteen German Quaker and Mennonite families founded Germantown — an early lasting German settlement in what became Pennsylvania. Read the full story →

• 1927 — The Jazz Singer premieres as the first feature talkie hit

  On October 6, 1927, The Jazz Singer opened in New York — a film that mixed recorded song and dialogue and helped end the silent-movie era. Read the full story →

• 1928 — Chiang Kai-shek consolidates Nationalist leadership in China

  In October 1928, Chiang Kai-shek strengthened control of China's Nationalist government after the Northern Expedition reunified much of the country under Kuomintang rule. Read the full story →

• 1973 — The Yom Kippur War begins in the Middle East

  On October 6, 1973 — the Jewish holy day of Yom Kippur — Egypt and Syria launched a surprise attack on Israel, beginning a brief but intense war. Read the full story →

• 1995 — Astronomers announce exoplanet 51 Pegasi b

  On October 6, 1995, Swiss astronomers announced 51 Pegasi b — the first planet confirmed orbiting a Sun-like star beyond our solar system. Read the full story →

Famous birthdays

Carole Lombard (1908–1942) · George Westinghouse (1846–1914) · Elisabeth Shue (1963) · Britt Ekland (1942)

Days & observances

German-American Day · National Noodle Day · National Mad Hatter Day · National Physician Assistant Day