November 1, 978
Jonestown Murder-Suicide
Most people have at least heard of the Jonestown massacre — the mass murder-suicide that claimed over 900 lives. But the full story of how things spiraled to that point is far less widely known.
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November in History
118 events
November 1, 1755
Lisbon Earthquake Kills More Than 50,000
On November 1st, 1755, the thriving Portuguese capital of Lisbon was forever changed.
November 1, 1800
John Adams Moved into the White House
On November 1, 1800, President John Adams stepped through the doors of a half-completed mansion standing in the middle of a city that barely existed yet.
November 1, 1894
Diphtheria vaccine announced
Throughout the latter half of the 1800s, a fierce scientific rivalry was brewing. Dr.
November 1, 1942
Poon Lim begins 133 days adrift after SS Belmond is torpedoed
What happens when a shipwreck survivor finds himself alone on a tiny wooden raft in the middle of the ocean? For Poon Lim, a Chinese sailor, the answer was an incredible 133-day fight for survival.
November 1, 1997
"Titanic" Premiered at the Tokyo International Film Festival
The world got its first glimpse of James Cameron's sweeping masterpiece _Titanic_ on November 1, 1997, when it debuted at the Tokyo International Film Festival.
November 2, 1898
Cheerleading then becomes a sport.
Think cheerleading doesn't qualify as a sport? You might want to reconsider that stance. Sure, standing before a roaring crowd and rallying support for your team sounds simple enough.
November 2, 1898
The First Organized Cheerleading Team was Formed
It was November 2, 1898, when something entirely new burst onto the American sports scene.
November 2, 1937
The Spruce Goose takes Flight
On November 2, 1937, the Hughes H-4 Hercules — better known by its famous nickname, the Spruce Goose — lifted off the water and into aviation history.
November 2, 1983
The Release of "Thriller"
November 2, 1983—the day Michael Jackson unleashed something the music world never saw coming.
November 3, 1685
An Eye Surgery that Ruined George Frideric Handel's Eyes
Born in 1685 and passing away in 1759, George Frideric Handel was a remarkable German-English composer whose life took a devastating turn when partial blindness struck him in 1751.
November 3, 1903
Panama Declared Independence
A slender ribbon of land broke free from its colossal neighbor on November 3, 1903, when Panama declared independence from Colombia—a moment that would fundamentally alter the course of international
November 3, 1906
SOS Became Universal Distress SignalNovember
On November 3, 1906, delegates at the International Radiotelegraph Conference in Berlin reached a decision that would forever reshape how the world calls for help.
November 3, 1957
Soviet Union launches first animal into space
A fresh wave of anxiety rippled through the Pentagon, the White House, and the American public when the Soviets sent Sputnik 2 into orbit on November 3, 1957.
November 4, 1854
Florence Nightingale and Nurses Sent to the Crimean War
On November 4, 1854, in the midst of the Crimean war (1854-1856), Florence Nightingale set foot in Turkey.
November 4, 1890
World's First Electrified Railway Opened in London
On November 4, 1890, a transportation breakthrough unfolded in London that would forever change the way city dwellers got around.
November 4, 1916
Walter Cronkite was Born
On this day, we mark the arrival of Walter Cronkite into the world — a man who would go on to become one of American journalism's most towering figures.
November 4, 1922
Howard Carter Excavating the Tomb of Tutankhamun
In the Valley of the Kings, Egypt, on November 4, 1922, British Egyptologist Howard Carter and his team launched their excavation of the tomb of Tutankhamun.
November 4, 2001
The Premiere of "Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone"
On November 4, 2001, throngs of enthusiastic fans descended upon a London theater, all hoping for even a fleeting look at the cast of _Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone.
November 5, 1605
The Gunpowder Plot
On November 5, 1605, a daring scheme to destroy King James I of England along with his entire Parliament went spectacularly wrong.
November 5, 1733
First Publication of The New York Weekly Journal
Let's turn the clock back to a pivotal moment in the story of American journalism. On November 5, 1733, a brand-new publication hit the streets: The New York Weekly Journal.
November 5, 1733
The Inaugural Issue of the New York Weekly Journal
What started as a small printing operation in New York City on November 5, 1733, would go on to shake the foundations of colonial power.
November 5, 1935
Monopoly Debut
For more than a hundred years now, Monopoly has found its way into the hands of players well over a billion times. It all traces back to Elizabeth Magie, whose creation was called The Landlord's Game.
November 6, 1854
John Philip Sousa's birthday
Chances are, you've encountered "The Stars and Stripes Forever" or "The Thunderer" at some point — maybe blaring from your school band or ringing out during a Marine Band celebration.
November 6, 1860
Abraham Lincoln was Elected as the 16th President
It's hard to overstate the significance of what happened on November 6, 1860. That was the day Abraham Lincoln won the presidency, becoming the 16th leader of the United States.
November 6, 1869
Mahatma Gandhi Arrested
Most people are familiar with Mahatma Gandhi's tireless struggle for Indian independence, yet the origins of that lifelong mission remain less well known.
November 6, 1975
The Sex Pistols' First Performance
The Sex Pistols burst onto the scene as one of the most explosive and short-lived acts in British rock history. With only a single album to their name and a career spanning a mere 2.
November 7, 1805
Lewis and Clark Expedition first sights the Pacific Ocean
On November 7, 1805, "great joy in camp" — that's what Captain William Clark scribbled in his notebook. He was convinced the Lewis and Clark Expedition had finally laid eyes on the Pacific Ocean.
November 7, 1916
The First Woman was Elected to Congress
When Jeannette Rankin won her seat in the House of Representatives from Montana on November 7, 1916, she didn't just make personal history — she shattered a barrier that had stood since the founding
November 7, 1974
The Great Lord Lucan Mystery
On the evening of November 7, 1974, a young nanny named Sandra Rivett, just 29 years old, descended into the unlit basement of her London apartment — and never returned.
November 7, 1989
First African American Governor: L. Douglas Wilder
On November 7, 1989, history was made when L. Douglas Wilder won the gubernatorial election in Virginia, becoming the first African American ever elected governor in any U.S. state.
November 8, 1731
Benjamin Franklin Opens First Library
What if one simple idea — pooling resources to share books — could spark a revolution in public knowledge?
November 8, 1895
The Discovery of X-rays
A chance encounter with the unknown would forever reshape the world of medical science.
November 8, 1926
The Debut of "Oh Kay!" Musical
The musical _Oh, Kay!_ made its grand entrance on the New York City stage on November 8, 1926, and audiences fell in love almost immediately.
November 8, 1966
Movie actor Ronald Reagan elected Governor of California
California witnessed a landmark moment on November 8, 1966, when its Gubernatorial election turned into one of the most lopsided political contests the state had ever seen.
November 9, 1799
Napoléon Bonaparte Coup 18 Brumaire
Born Napoleon di Buonaparte, the man who would reshape France clawed his way to the pinnacle of power on November 9, 1799. His vehicle for seizing control? The now-legendary Coup 18 Brumaire.
November 9, 1965
The Great Northeast Blackout
On the evening of November 9, 1965, a massive power failure known as The Great Blackout of the Northeast swept across a vast swath of the United States, leaving millions shrouded in darkness.
November 9, 1989
The Fall of the Berlin Wall
On this day in history, a concrete barrier that had carved a city in two—and stood as the ultimate symbol of a fractured world—finally gave way. November 9, 1989, was the day the Berlin Wall fell.
November 10, 1775
The Start of the U.S. Marine Corps
It was on November 10, 1775, amid the turmoil of the American Revolutionary War, that the U.S. Marine Corps came into existence.
November 10, 1925
The Birth of Richard Burton
On November 10, 1925, the small coal-mining village of Pontrhydyfen, Wales, welcomed a child who would grow into one of the most electrifying performers the world has ever seen.
November 10, 1969
Sesame Street Premieres
What made Monday, November 10, 1969, so special? It was the day Sesame Street made its debut on PBS TV, and the children who would soon be glued to their screens couldn't have been more thrilled.
November 10, 1989
Germany begins officially taking down the Berlin Wall
What comes to mind when you think of the Cold War? For many, it's the Berlin Wall — a physical manifestation of an otherwise largely invisible global conflict.
November 11, 1821
Fyodor Dostoyevsky was Born
On this day in history, November 11, 1821, the world welcomed Fyodor Dostoyevsky — a Russian author who would go on to be regarded as one of the greatest novelists of all time.
November 11, 1849
Fyodor Dostoyevsky is spared from the firing squad at the last minute
Few writers in history have endured as dramatic a journey as Fyodor Dostoyevsky. Widely regarded as one of the greatest literary minds the world has ever known, his path to fame was anything but
November 11, 1918
WW1 Armistice
After years of devastating conflict, the guns finally fell silent on November 11, 1918.
November 11, 1973
Egypt and Israel Sign Ceasefire Agreement
In a barren stretch of desert only 63 miles from Cairo, two longtime adversaries did something remarkable while an exhausted world looked on.
November 11, 1992
The Church of England approves female priests
On November 11, 1992, something remarkable happened — though just barely. The General Synod, which serves as the Church of England's governing body, squeaked through a decision across its three
November 12, 1867
An Eruption of Mount Vesuvius
Mount Vesuvius — the 25,000-year-old volcano perched along the Gulf of Naples in Italy — roared to life on November 12, 1867. Best known for the devastating 79 A.D.
November 12, 1929
Grace Kelly Born
Few life stories read quite like a fairy tale, but that of Grace Patricia Kelly comes remarkably close.
November 12, 1954
The Last Immigrants on Ellis Island
On this day, an era that had thundered through American history came to a whispered close.
November 13, 1199
Stamford Bull Run
The Stamford Bull Run was an annual bull-running spectacle that took place each St. Brice's Day (November 13) in Stamford, Lincolnshire, England.
November 13, 1885
Hawaii sends out the first shipment of canned pineapple
It was the relentless drive for profit among ambitious entrepreneurs that ultimately brought down Hawaii's monarchical government.
November 13, 1956
US Supreme Court Ruled Race Separation on Buses Unconstitutional
On November 13, 1956, the US Supreme Court delivered a landmark ruling declaring race separation on buses unconstitutional. The court affirmed the decision reached in _Browder v.
November 13, 1982
The Dedication of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial
Few conflicts in American history stirred as much division as the Vietnam War, which stretched from 1955 to 1975 and provoked widespread public opposition across the United States.
November 14, 1851
The U.S. Publication of “Moby-Dick”
Few American writers have had a more dramatic posthumous reversal of fortune than Herman Melville, an adventure novelist and short story writer whose time as a sailor on the Pacific Ocean deeply
November 14, 1865
Condensed Milk Patent Awarded
On November 14, 1865, Gail Borden received the patent for his process of condensing milk — a breakthrough that would reshape how the world thought about dairy.
November 14, 1875
Niagara Falls Power
Each year, approximately twenty-two million tourists make their way to Niagara Falls in New York, drawn by the sheer majesty of this natural spectacle.
November 14, 1889
Nellie Bly (Elizabeth Cochrane) begins her travel around the world in under 80 days.
Inspired by the novel "Around the World in Eighty Days," Nellie Bly, a fearless investigative reporter, set out on November 14th, 1889, to prove she could circle the entire globe — and do it faster
November 15, 1777
The Adoption of the Articles of Confederation
Back in 1776, the thirteen colonies of the United States took the bold step of declaring independence from Britain, embarking on the ambitious journey of building a nation from scratch.
November 15, 1887
Georgia O'Keeffe was Born
On this day, we celebrate the life of Georgia O'Keeffe, a towering figure in American art history.
November 15, 1904
King Gillette Patents Gillette Razor Blade
What kind of visionary sells a product at rock-bottom prices on purpose? King Camp Gillette, that's who—and it turned out to be a stroke of marketing brilliance.
November 16, 1907
Oklahoma Became the 46th State
The year was 1907, and on this very day, a territory steeped in cowboy lore, sprawling oil fields, and deep Native American heritage officially took its place in the Union.
November 16, 1931
Al Capone is sentenced to prison
Few names in American crime history carry as much weight as Al Capone, the infamous gangster who ruled the streets of Chicago.
November 16, 1938
Dr. Albert Hofmann synthesizes LSD for the first time
It was November 16th, 1938, when Dr. Albert Hofmann, a Swiss chemist, first synthesized LSD — a moment that would reshape conversations about consciousness for decades to come.
November 16, 1949
The Hills Are Alive As The Sound of Music Opens
Broadway's beloved musical The Sound of Music made its grand debut at the Lunt-Fontanne Theater in New York City on this day, as Rodgers & Hammerstein unveiled their latest creation with Mary Martin
November 16, 2003
Lionel Messi's Professional Debut
On November 16, 2003, a 16-year-old named Lionel Messi stepped onto the pitch for FC Barcelona for the very first time — and the world of football would never be the same.
November 17, 1558
Elizabeth I Ascends Throne
England was in the throes of dramatic political and religious upheaval in the period leading up to Elizabeth I's rise to power.
November 17, 1800
Congress meets for the first time in the newly built capital in Washington DC (per The Residence Act of July 16, 1790)
For over ten years, Philadelphia had functioned as the de-facto capital of the fledgling United States.
November 17, 1970
The First Patent for a Computer Mouse
On November 17, 1970, a patent was granted to Douglas Engelbart for what would become one of the most consequential inventions in computing history — the computer mouse.
November 17, 2003
Britney Spears Received her Walk of Fame Star
At just 16 years old, Britney Spears exploded onto the music scene with her debut single, "…Baby One More Time," released in late 1998.
November 18, 1883
Charles F. Dowd Proposed Time Zones
Before Charles F. Dowd came along with his groundbreaking proposal on November 18, 1883, keeping track of time across the United States was an absolute mess.
November 18, 1895
Frederick E Blaisdell patents the pencil
Ever stop to think about where something as simple as a pencil comes from? Believe it or not, even this everyday writing tool has a fascinating backstory.
November 18, 1916
Douglas Haig calls off the Battle of the Somme in WW1 after casualties hit 1 million
In the months before the fighting began, Allied strategists had devised a joint offensive along the Somme, with French forces slated to spearhead the effort.
November 18, 1928
The Debut of Mickey Mouse
For nearly a century, one character has stood as the unmistakable symbol of the Walt Disney empire — recognized and adored across the globe.
November 19, 1620
The Mayflower Arrived in The New World
After enduring weeks of rough and unforgiving seas, the Mayflower at last reached Cape Cod on November 19, 1620.
November 19, 1863
President Lincoln’s Cemetery Dedication Speech at Gettysburg, November 1863
On November 19, 1863, President Lincoln stood before a massive gathering to formally dedicate the national cemetery at Gettysburg, honoring the soldiers who had perished in battle there.
November 19, 1939
Construction Began on the First Presidential Library
Back on November 19, 1939, President Franklin D. Roosevelt did something completely unprecedented — he placed the cornerstone for a library devoted entirely to his own presidency.
November 20, 1695
The Execution of Zumbi, the Last Warrior King of Palmares, in 1969
On November 20, 1695, Portuguese soldiers hoisted the severed head of Zumbi — the last Warrior king of Palmares — onto a stake planted squarely in the central plaza, as the townspeople of Quilombo
November 20, 1815
Napoleonic Wars End, France & Allies Agree to Pay Indemnities After the Battle of Waterloo
The Napoleonic wars were a string of military confrontations pitting the French Empire and its allies, under the leadership of Napoleon Bonapart, against a range of European nations.
November 20, 1902
An Innovative Idea: The Tour de France Bike Race
It was November 20th, 1902, and a journalist facing professional pressure struck upon a brilliant concept that would not only rescue his career but fundamentally transform the sport of cycling
November 20, 1954
The Establishment of World Children's Day
Despite the many divisions and disputes that mark our world, one thing nearly everyone can agree on is this: children deserve protection, care, and opportunity above all else.
November 21, 1789
North Carolina Signed the U.S. Constitution
When the Articles of Confederation — the young nation's first attempt at a governing framework — proved inadequate, the Continental Congress responded by drafting the United States Constitution in
November 21, 1906
China prohibits the opium trade
Opioids today are largely confined to the worlds of addiction and end-of-life care in America, but the story of this drug stretches back to an era when its use was far more commonplace.
November 21, 1920
"Bloody Sunday:" A Turning Point in the War for Ireland's Independence
Dublin witnessed one of its darkest chapters on November 21, 1920, a day that would forever be remembered as "Bloody Sunday" — a pivotal moment in the Irish War of Independence.
November 21, 1934
Yankees Bought Joe DiMaggio
On November 21, 1934, the New York Yankees acquired 19-year old Joe DiMaggio from San Francisco, sending five other players and $50,000 in exchange for the young phenom.
November 22, 1890
Charles De Gaulle was Born
On this day, we mark the arrival into the world of Charles De Gaulle, who was born on November 22, 1890.
November 22, 1963
JFK Assassination
On this day, November 22, 1963, President John F. Kennedy, just 46 years old, was struck down by an assassin's bullets in Dallas. The gunman was Lee Harvey Oswald.
November 22, 1990
Margaret Thatcher Announced Resignation
It's impossible to overstate Margaret Thatcher's significance in both British and women's history.
November 22, 2017
Vanellope Wilkins becomes first baby to survive birth with heart outside her body
When Naomi Findlay was only 9 weeks into her pregnancy, she received devastating news: her unborn daughter had been diagnosed with ectopia cordis.
November 23, 1804
Franklin Pierce was Born
On November 23, 1804, in Hillsborough, New Hampshire, a future president entered the world under humble circumstances.
November 23, 1890
A 10-Year-Old Crowned Queen of The Netherlands
It's hard to imagine the weight of a crown resting on the head of a ten-year-old, but that's exactly what happened on November 23, 1890.
November 23, 2019
Sumatran rhino is officially declared extinct
At 17:35 local time on Saturday 23rd November 2019, Malaysia lost its final Sumatran rhino.
November 24, 1859
Charles Darwin Published "On the Origin of Species"
The world was forever altered by the work of Charles Darwin, a 19th-century English naturalist whose bold ideas shook the foundations of science.
November 24, 1933
The Premiere of "Dancing Lady"
On November 24th, 1933, MGM unveiled _Dancing Lady_ to the world — a dazzling musical that would leave an indelible mark on Hollywood.
November 24, 1971
"Dan Cooper" hijacked a plane and took $200,000 before jumping out
On November 24, 1971, nobody boarding Northwest Orient Airlines flight 305 could have imagined what was about to unfold.
November 24, 1974
Most Complete Human Skeleton Found
On November 24, 1974, a groundbreaking discovery emerged from the Middles Awash of the Afar Depression near Hadar, Ethiopia, when paleoanthropologist Donald Johanson and his team unearthed the most
November 25, 1783
The Official Withdrawal of British Troops from New York City
On November 25, 1783, British forces departed New York City for the final time, following the signing of the Treaty of Paris.
November 25, 1835
Andrew Carnegie was Born
From modest origins in Dunfermline, Scotland, where he was born on November 25, 1835, Andrew Carnegie would go on to become one of the richest and most generous individuals in American history.
November 25, 1867
Andrew Johnson Impeachment
The House Committee of the Judiciary took up the question of whether to pursue articles of impeachment against President Andrew Johnson on this day, November 25, 1867 — a pivotal moment in one of the
November 25, 1986
Iran-Contra Affair erupts
To all outward appearances, November 25, 1986, began as just another routine day at the U.S. White House.
November 26, 1789
America's 1st national Thanksgiving
Ask any American elementary school student what they know about the pilgrims, and chances are good the Mayflower will come up.
November 26, 1922
The Opening of Tutankhamun’s Tomb
In 1922, history witnessed a golden revelation. Howard Carter, a British archaeologist, together with Lord Carnarvon, his patron, stepped into Tutankhamun's tomb—a space sealed for more than 3,000
November 26, 1979
China's Return to the Olympic Games
On November 26, 1979, a landmark decision reshaped the landscape of international sport: the International Olympic Committee (IOC) officially welcomed the People's Republic of China back into the
November 26, 1983
World’s Greatest Robbery
Widely dubbed the crime of the century, the Brink's-Mat robbery took place on November 26, 1983.
November 27, 1867
Alfred Nobel Established the Nobel Prize
Swedish chemist, inventor, philanthropist, and businessman Alfred Nobel left an extraordinary mark on the world — though not always in the way he originally intended.
November 27, 1895
The Signing of Alfred Nobel's Will
On November 27, 1895, Swedish chemist, inventor, and industrialist Alfred Nobel put his signature on a remarkable will that would transform his vast wealth—accumulated through 355 inventions, most
November 27, 2013
The Premiere of "Frozen"
On November 27, 2013, Frozen burst onto the scene and rapidly transformed into a worldwide cultural sensation that fundamentally changed the landscape of animated filmmaking.
November 28, 1520
Magellan Sails into the Pacific Ocean
The 1500s witnessed a flourishing era of European maritime discovery. Nations were experiencing remarkable progress in the arts of navigation and vessel construction, eager to leverage these
November 28, 1701
Blackbeard Attacks French Ship
Perhaps the most infamous pirate to ever sail the seas, Blackbeard spent the early eighteenth century spreading fear across North American and Caribbean shipping routes.
November 28, 1922
Captain Cyril Turner gives 1st skywriting exhibition in NYC, spelling out “Hello USA”
We've all watched those dramatic movie scenes where someone spells out a heartfelt declaration across the heavens.
November 28, 1942
The Deadly Fire at a Boston Nightclub
On the evening of November 28, 1942, a catastrophic fire tore through one of Boston's most beloved nightclubs, forever changing how America thought about public safety.
November 29, 1832
Louisa May Alcott's birthday
American short story writer, poet, and novelist Louisa May Alcott carved out a remarkable place in literary history with her vivid, relatable characters and compelling female heroines that captivated
November 29, 1890
The First Army–Navy Football Game
On November 29, 1890, what would eventually be dubbed "America's Game" kicked off when the United States Military Academy's Army Black Knights took on the United States Naval Academy's Navy
November 29, 1935
Schrödinger's Cat
On this day in history, Erwin Rudolf Schrödinger, the Austrian-Irish physicist, unveiled his now-legendary thought experiment known as "Schrödinger's Cat.
November 29, 1989
The End of Communism in Czechoslovakia
When the Communist government in Czechoslovakia surrendered its grip on power on November 29, 1989, it marked the culmination of a breathtaking series of events known as the Velvet Revolution.
November 30, 1874
Winston Churchill was Born
The world welcomed one of its most consequential leaders on November 30, 1874, when Winston Churchill arrived at Blenheim Palace, Oxfordshire.
November 30, 1900
Oscar Wilde Dies
On November 30, 1900, the world lost Oscar Wilde — a towering Irish intellectual of the 19th century whose legacy has endured ever since.
November 30, 1936
The Fire at London’s Crystal Palace
As darkness fell on November 30, 1936, a massive inferno illuminated the skies above south London.