October 30 in San Antonio history…

1912
A tragic fire at St. John’s Orphanage next to Santa Rosa Infirmary kills six nuns and three orphans.

1917
The mercury plunges to a frigid 32 degrees at 6 a.m.; as of 2012 it’s still the earliest date for a freeze in San Antonio.

1947
Police Chief Fred Palmer today ordered the silencing of ambulance sirens effective immediately. He said the city attorney’s office had ruled use of the sirens to be unnecessary.

1990
VIA announces that the new sports facility will be named “Fiesta Dome” despite being informally known as the “Alamodome” for the previous four years.  The new name was selected because a third-party copyrighted the “Alamodome” name before VIA.