October 30 Birthday
On October 30, 1938, Orson Welles broadcast a radio adaptation of H.G. Wells' The War of the Worlds on CBS. The program used realistic news bulletins, which confused listeners who tuned in late. Some people fled their homes, believing Martians had landed in New Jersey. The panic was exaggerated by newspapers, which used it to discredit radio as a news source. Welles, twenty-three, apologized but said he had not expected anyone to believe it. The broadcast made him famous — he was offered a Hollywood contract within weeks. On October 30, 1974, in Kinshasa, Zaire, Muhammad Ali fought George Foreman for the heavyweight championship. Foreman was 40-0 and had knocked out his last eight opponents in a combined twelve rounds. Ali employed the "rope-a-dope" — leaning against the ropes and letting Foreman punch himself out. In the eighth round, Ali knocked out Foreman. The fight was promoted by Don King. It was the first global sporting event broadcast by satellite. People born on October 30 fall under the zodiac sign of Scorpio. The birthstone is Opal and the birth flower is Marigold. Historical events on October 30 include 1938: Orson Welles broadcasts "War of the Worlds" — causes widespread panic, 1974: "Rumble in the Jungle" — Muhammad Ali defeats George Foreman in Zaire, 1735: John Adams born (that's a birth). Famous people born on October 30 include John Adams (1735), Emily Post (1873), Charles Atlas (1893).