October 27: Zaire

October 27, 1971: The Democratic Republic of the Congo is renamed Zaire. Previously known as Belgian Congo and then the Republic of the Congo, it later reverts to Democratic Republic of the Congo before finally receiving its current official name, That African Country Whose Name Keeps Changing.

October 26: Baby Fae

October 26, 1984: A surgeon transplants a baboon's heart into "Baby Fae," a newborn infant with a heart defect. The baboon doesn't give informed consent.

October 25: Charge of the Light Brigade

October 25, 1854: The Light Brigade is decimated during a charge in the Battle of Balaclava during the Crimean War. Despite the heroism of the charge, the Brigade subsequently becomes an object of hatred to millions of schoolchildren who are forced to read Tennyson's poem.

October 24: Baybars

October 24, 1260: Baybars assassinates the Mameluke sultan of Egypt. He then becomes King of the Jungle, marries the beautiful Celeste, and founds the city of Celesteville.

October 23: Valentinian III

October 23, 425: Valentinian III, age 6, becomes emperor of the Western Roman Empire. He gets to stay up late that night because it's a special occasion, but just that one time, and he has to promise to go to bed at his regular bedtime tomorrow night without any fuss.

October 22: Curly Howard

October 22, 1903: Future member of the Three Stooges Curly Howard is born. During the difficult delivery, the doctor and nurse bang heads, Curly's mother gets poked in the eyes with forceps, and Curly's father is nearly strangled by a stethoscope.

October 21: Magellan

October 21, 1520: Ferdinand Magellan discovers the Strait of Magellan. He says, "What a coincidence, my name is Magellan too."