- October 4, 1777 - American Revolutionary War: British troops repel an attack by General George Washington at the Battle of Germantown.
- October 7, 1952 - Bandstand, later called American Bandstand, premieres on WFIL-TV.
- October 25, 1701 – William Penn issues the Charter of 1701, establishing Philadelphia as a city.
- October 25, 1918 - The Benjamin Franklin Parkway opens to automobile traffic for the first time.
