October 18, 1565The Philippines officially becomes a Spanish colony in Asia. The country was previously discovered in 1521 by Ferdinand Magellan, a Portuguese sailor in the service of Spain.

October 19, 1949The Peoples Republic of China is formally proclaimed.

October 20, 1945Egypt, Syria, Iraq and Lebanon form the Arab League to present a unified front against the establishment of a Jewish state in Palestine.

October 23, 1956An anti-Stalinist re