Several significant historical events have occurred on Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish calendar.

The most notable event is the outbreak of the Yom Kippur War in 1973. On October 6, 1973, Egypt and Syria launched a surprise coordinated attack against Israel on Yom Kippur, the Jewish Day of Atonement, and during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.

This conflict, also known as the Ramadan War, lasted until October 26, 1973, and was the fourth of the Arab-Israeli wars.

The attack caught Israel off guard, with Egyptian forces crossing the Suez Canal and Syrian forces attacking the Golan Heights, leading to a three-week-long war that significantly impacted regional relations.

Another historically significant event associated with Yom Kippur is the origin of the holiday itself. According to Jewish tradition, the first Yom Kippur occurred after the Israelites' exodus from Egypt, when they sinned by worshipping a golden calf.

Moses ascended Mount Sinai to seek forgiveness from God, and after a period of repentance, he returned with a second set of the Ten Commandments on the 10th of Tishrei, which became the day of atonement.

This event established Yom Kippur as a day of forgiveness and atonement, commemorated annually.