October 2002

Sunday 06:

Opus Dei founder Josemaría Escrivá is canonized.

Monday 07:

Maher Arar is deported by the US government to Syria, where he is tortured and held without charge for a year before being returned home to Canada.

Wednesday 09:

After losing a massive amount of ground during the summer of 2002, the Dow Jones Industrial Average closes at 7,286.27, its lowest level in five years. The NASDAQ also hit a six-year low of 1,114.11.

Friday 11:

Bomb attack in a shopping mall in Vantaa, Finland. See Myyrmanni bombing.

Saturday 12:

Bali bombing: In Bali, terrorists detonate bombs in two nightclubs in Kuta, killing 202 and wounding over 300

Wednesday 16:

Bibliotheca Alexandrina in the Egyptian city of Alexandria, a commemoration of the Library of Alexandria that was lost in antiquity, is officially inaugurated.

Wednesday 23:

Moscow Theatre Siege begins: Chechen rebels seize the House of Culture theater in Moscow and take approximately 700 theatergoers hostage.

Thursday 24:

Police arrest spree killers John Allen Muhammad and Lee Boyd Malvo, ending the Beltway sniper attacks in the area around Washington, DC.

Saturday 26:

Moscow Theater Siege ends: Approximately 50 Chechen rebels and 150 hostages die when Russian commandos storm the House of Culture theater in Moscow, which had been occupied by the rebels three days before.

Sunday 27:

Running back Emmitt Smith becomes the current leader in career rushing yards in the National Football League, breaking the record then held by Walter Payton.

Wednesday 30:

British Digital terrestrial television (DTT) Service Freeview starts transmitting throughout parts of the United Kingdom