Today in History: October 30 | Millions kept in the dark about fatal 'Perfect Storm'
On October 30, 1991, the so-called "perfect storm" gathered strength in the North Atlantic, producing waves up to 30 metres high along the north-east coasts of the US and Canada.
Over the next several days, the storm spread over the seas off the coast of Canada.
The fishing boat Andrea Gail and its six-man crew perished in the giant waves.
(US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration)
Meteorologists monitoring the storm were alerted when it made a highly unusual transition into a hurricane.
But US authorities decided not to name the storm for fear it would trigger public panic.
The "Perfect Storm", also known as the "Halloween Storm" left 13 people dead and damage costing hundreds of millions of dollars.
(US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration)
The biggest explosion in human history took place when Soviet Russia dropped the Tsar Bomba nuclear weapon on October 30, 1961.
The hydrogen bomb released 50,000 kilotons of power - equivalent to about 1500 times the combined energy of the atomic bombs that devastated Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
Its flashing light could be seen 1000km away from the test site in northern Russia.
English model Jean Shrimpton caused a sensation at Flemington Racecourse in Melbourne on October 30, 1965, when she wore a white minidress.
Controversially - for the era - her dress finished about 10cm above the knee.
Shrimpton's fashion statement sparked controversy and was later described as a pivotal moment in women's fashion.
Australian soldiers began a major offensive in the landmark World War II Battle of El Alamein in North Africa on October 30, 1942.
The Diggers drove back defending German and Italian forces, helping to secure a major Allied victory in the desert campaign.
((UK Imperial War Museums)
On his 37th birthday, Argentinean football superstar Diego Maradona announced his retirement from the sport on October 30, 1997.
Maradona shot to fame for leading Argentina to victory in the 1986 World Cup and back to the final four years later.
He died from a heart attack in 2020 while recovering from brain surgery.
Share a tip-off, video or photo with us
