Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel ceiling frescoes were revealed to the public for the first time on Nov. 1, 1512. (Getty Images)

All Saints’ Day: All Hollows Day, commonly known as All Saints’ Day, is a Holy Day of Obligation in the Roman Catholic Church.   All Saints’ celebrations originally took place in May, but Pope Gregory III moved the date to Nov. 1 to coincide with the Celtic holiday Samhain and other global harvest festivals.  The Catholic Church believed it would be easier to convert pagans to Christianity if their holiday schedule was similar.

Day of the Innocents: In Mexico and other Latin American countries, Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) festivities run from Oct. 31 to Nov. 2. Families prepare alters for lost loved ones in their homes, decorated with flowers and candles.  Celebrations are bright and lively, in belief that the souls of the dead are still alive and can return home annually during this time.  Nov. 1 is the Day of the Innocents to pay tribute to deceased infants.

World Vegan Day: Nov. 1 is World Vegan Day, a movement to promote a life free from animal products.  Vegans do not eat meat, dairy or any other animal products, such as honey.  The Vegan Society’s shopping guide helps users find a variety of animal-free products such as shoes, clothing and home goods.

Also on This Day:

1512 Sistine Chapel Opens to Public

Italian artist Michelangelo spent years working on the ceiling frescoes of Rome’s Sistine Chapel.  On Nov. 1, 1512, the public was welcome to view his masterful biblical scenes.

1800 John Adams Moves to White House

John Adams was the first president to reside at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.  John and Abigail Adams moved into the White House Nov. 1, 1800.  Tour an intricate model of the White House in this “Good Morning America” video from the 200th anniversary in 2000.

1984 Chaos After Indira Ghandi’s Death

Violent mobs filled the streets after the assassination of India’s prime minister.  Indira Ghandi was shot Oct. 31, 1984, by two of her bodyguards.

1993 European Union

The Maastricht Treaty outlined a union to unite and strengthen the nations of Europe.  The European Union was a collective effort of Great Britain, France, Ireland Germany, Portugal, Spain, Italy, Greece, Denmark, Luxembourg, Belgium and the Netherlands.  In 1995, the EU added Austria, Finland and Sweden.

2006 Bob Barker Retires

Game show host Bob Barker retired after 35 years of hosting “The Price Is Right.”

Famous Birthdays

1871 Stephen Crane

1942 Larry Flynt

1957 Peter Ostrum

1958 Charlie Kaufman

1967 Sophie B. Hawkins

1972 Toni Collette

1972 Jenny McCarthy

1973 Aishwarya Rai

1979 Coco Crisp

1986 Penn Badgley

Jump back to Oct. 31: Day in History.

View more videos from This Month in History: November.