November has been a busy month throughout history, with many important events taking place around the world. Many of these historic events have shaped the way we live our lives today and changed the world in incredible ways. From X-rays to dogs in space, the events of November have certainly played a significant role in shaping the modern world.
Keep reading to discover ten amazing facts about November’s history.
November 1, 1800 – John Adams Becomes First President to Live in the White House
George Washington may have been the first president of the United States of America, but he didn’t live in the White House. The second president of the United States was the first to live in the White House.
President John Adams moved into the newly-built White House on November 1, 1800. At the time President Adams moved in, the rooms were still unfinished.
President Adams wrote his wife a letter on his second night living in the White House. It says, “Before I end my letter, I pray Heaven to bestow the best of Blessings on this House and all that shall hereafter inhabit it. May none but wise and honest men ever rule under this roof.”
November 2, 1936 – The World’s First Regular Public Television Service Launched
On November 2, 1936, the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) became the world’s first regular public television service. Before this, there was no regular television service to watch.
BBC broadcast from a studio at Alexandra Palace in London, England for two hours.
Almost 100 years later, BBC now broadcasts worldwide in over 40 languages on the radio, television, and online.
November 3, 1957 – Sputnik 2 Launched Into Space With a Dog Onboard
On November 3, 1957, Sputnik 2 became the second spacecraft the USSR launched into Earth’s orbit. Sputnik 2 was the first spacecraft to carry an animal into space. The spaceship blasted off with a dog named Laika onboard.
Sputnik’s satellite re-entered the Earth’s atmosphere around five months after its launch in April 1958.
November 5, 1605 – Guy Fawkes Attempts Gun Powder Plot
On November 5, 1605, Guy Fawkes and his accomplices attempted to assassinate the ruler of England, King James I.
The plan, which has become known as ‘The Gunpowder Plot,’ saw the group attempt to blow up the Palace of Westminster in London, England. The group planned to put their plot into action during the state opening of parliament. Luckily, they were discovered and arrested before anyone was hurt.
The UK still marks Guy Fawkes Night each November 5. with the lighting of bonfires and fireworks displays.
November 8, 1895 – X-Rays Were Discovered
Nowadays, doctors rely on X-rays to diagnose injuries such as broken bones. German physicist Wilhelm Conrad Rőntgen discovered this important diagnostic tool on November 8, 1895, by accident.
Röntgen was doing an experiment to test if cathode rays could pass through glass. While working, he saw a glowing ray coming from a chemically coated screen in his lab. Confused by what he had seen, the physicist called the rays X-rays.
Röntgen carried out experiments to better understand X-rays. , which soon became an essential medical diagnostic tool that doctors still rely on today.
His impressive discovery earned Rőntgen the first-ever Nobel Prize for physics in 1901.
November 10, 1775 – U.S. Marine Corps Was Established
Captain Samuel Nicholson recruited the first Marine Corps at Tun Tavern in Philadelphia on November 10, 1775. Many people now consider this location to be the birthplace of the Marines. The Corps began as an aid in the Revolutionary War.
Because of the high cost, officials disbanded the U.S. Marine Corps at the war’s end. On July 11, 1798, Congress decided to recreate the United States Marine Corps. It serves under the Secretary of the Navy.
November 11, 1918 – World War I Ends
November 11th, 1918, is an important day in history. World War I ended on this day when the Allied Forces and Germany signed an armistice or truce.
The armistice stated the war would end on the 11th hour, of the 11th day, of the 11th month.
Originally known as Armistice Day, we now recognize November 11 as Veterans Day in the United States. People in the UK, Australia, Canada, and France call it Remembrance Day.
Each year, the National Veterans Day Ceremony takes place at Arlington National Cemetery.
November 22, 1963 – Assassination of President John F. Kennedy
On November 22, 1963, John F. Kennedy, the 35th President of the United States, was shot, sending shockwaves through the world. He was traveling in a motorcade in Dallas, Texas.
Despite rushing to the hospital, doctors could not save President Kennedy. Authorities arrested Lee Harvey Oswald for killing President Kennedy and for fatally shooting Patrolman J.D. Tippitt.
During a brief ceremony on board Air Force One, a federal judge swore Lyndon B. Johnson in as president the same day.
November 26, 1863 – First ‘Official’ Thanksgiving Following Lincoln’s Proclamation
Many people believe that the first Thanksgiving took place in 1621. A group of English colonists and Wampanoag People came together to share a feast that lasted for three days. This marked the start of a long period of peace between the two groups that continued until around 1675.
President Abraham Lincoln made Thanksgiving Day official in 1863. He declared a national day of Thanksgiving for the last Thursday of November each year. Making November 26, 1863, the first official Thanksgiving.
November 26, 1922 – The tomb of Tutankhamun, the ‘Child King’ discovered in Egypt
Archaeologists found the tomb of Pharaoh Tutankhamun, or King Tut, in Egypt on November 26, 1922. It had been undisturbed for over 3,000 years. Many experts consider their discovery the most important Ancient Egyptian discovery ever.
Tut, known as the ‘child-king,’ was just nine years old when he became the ruler of Egypt. He ruled for ten years before his death and was buried in a tomb within the Valley of Kings.
Archaeologist Howard Carter and a wealthy British man named Lord Carnarvon searched for King Tut’s tomb for five years. Once inside, they found thousands of incredible objects.
These included a golden shrine, gold coffins, and of course, the famous gold funeral mask of Tutankhamun. People often recognize it as a symbol of Ancient Egypt today.
The discovery attracted attention from the media across the world. It took Carter 10 years to remove the 5,000 items from the tomb. The artifacts are now on display in the Egyptian Museum.
More History in November
November is certainly a busy month for important events and fun historical facts. These are just a few of the many fascinating things that have happened throughout history in the month of November.
A few more fun facts about November include the following…
- The Second Continental Congress adopted the Articles of Confederation on Nov. 15, 1777.
- The Mayflower Compact was signed on November 21 [November 11, Old Style],1620.
- President Abraham Lincoln Delivered the Gettysburg Address on November 19, 1863.
- Publishers released Charles Darwin’s “Origin of Species” on November 24, 1859.
- November 26, 1832, is Dr. Mary Edward Walker‘s birthday.
- November 30, 1835, is Mark Twain’s birthday.
- The full moon in November is called the Beaver Moon.
Watch our November Fun Facts video here!
