November 14 Events in History

November 14 has witnessed a multitude of significant events throughout history, each contributing to the tapestry of our shared global heritage.

From pivotal battles and groundbreaking scientific theories to landmark moments in civil rights and major political developments, this date encapsulates a diverse array of historical milestones.

This article delves into twenty noteworthy occurrences on November 14, offering a chronological exploration of events that have shaped our world.

November 14th – On this Day in History

1380 – King Charles VI of France in Rouen

King Charles VI

On November 14, 1380, King Charles VI of France, known as Charles the Well-Beloved and later as Charles the Mad, entered the city of Rouen. This event marked the beginning of crucial negotiations with Charles II of Navarre, a significant figure in the Hundred Years’ War.

Also Read: November 13 Events in History

The negotiations were part of a broader strategy to stabilize France and consolidate the king’s power amid internal strife and external threats.

Charles VI’s reign was marked by recurring bouts of mental illness, which would later earn him the moniker “the Mad,” profoundly affecting the French monarchy’s stability and the kingdom’s political landscape.

1533 – Francisco Pizarro Arrives in Cuzco

On November 14, 1533, the Spanish conquistador Francisco Pizarro arrived in Cuzco, the capital of the Inca Empire. This event was a turning point in the Spanish conquest of Peru. Pizarro’s arrival followed his capture of the Incan emperor Atahualpa and the subsequent Battle of Cajamarca.

Pizarro’s forces faced minimal resistance as they marched into the heart of the Inca Empire, leveraging the existing turmoil and civil war among the Incas.

Also Read: November 15th – On this Day in History

The fall of Cuzco marked the collapse of the Incan political structure, allowing the Spanish to establish control over vast territories in South America, leading to significant cultural and demographic changes.

1666 – Samuel Pepys Reports on the First Blood Transfusion

On November 14, 1666, Samuel Pepys, the famous English diarist and naval administrator, recorded an account of the first blood transfusion between dogs. This experiment was conducted by Richard Lower, an English physician who made significant contributions to early medical science.

Lower’s experiment involved transfusing blood from one dog to another, demonstrating the feasibility of blood transfusion. Although this early work was rudimentary and fraught with risks, it laid the groundwork for future developments in transfusion medicine.

Pepys’ diary entry provides a fascinating glimpse into the scientific curiosity and experimentation of the 17th century, highlighting the period’s burgeoning interest in medical advancements.

1770 – James Bruce Discovers What He Believes to Be the Source of the Nile

James Bruce

On November 14, 1770, Scottish explorer James Bruce reached what he believed to be the source of the Blue Nile, one of the major tributaries of the Nile River. Bruce’s journey to Ethiopia and his discovery of the Blue Nile’s source were significant achievements in the field of exploration during the 18th century.

His findings were met with skepticism in Europe, but Bruce meticulously documented his travels and observations, contributing valuable knowledge about the geography and cultures of the region.

His work helped to dispel many myths about Africa and provided a foundation for subsequent explorations of the continent. Bruce’s explorations were celebrated for their boldness and the wealth of information they brought back to the Western world.

1832 – The First Streetcar (Horse-Drawn) Debuts in New York City

On November 14, 1832, New York City witnessed the debut of the first horse-drawn streetcar, revolutionizing urban transportation. The streetcar, introduced by John Mason and the New York and Harlem Railroad, ran along Fourth Avenue (now Park Avenue).

It offered a more comfortable and efficient means of transportation compared to the previous horse-drawn omnibuses, which lacked the smooth rails that the streetcar utilized.

This innovation greatly improved the speed and capacity of public transit, setting a precedent for future developments in urban transportation. The horse-drawn streetcar remained a staple of city transit until it was eventually replaced by electric streetcars in the late 19th century.

1851 – Herman Melville’s “Moby-Dick” Published in the United States

On November 14, 1851, Herman Melville’s “Moby-Dick” was published in the United States. Although initially met with mixed reviews, the novel has since become one of the most celebrated works in American literature.

“Moby-Dick” is a complex and richly symbolic narrative that explores themes such as obsession, revenge, and the struggle between man and nature. The story follows Captain Ahab’s monomaniacal pursuit of the white whale, Moby Dick, and is renowned for its detailed descriptions of whaling and its profound philosophical insights. Melville’s work has influenced countless authors and remains a cornerstone of literary studies.

1889 – Nellie Bly Begins Her Journey to Travel Around the World

On November 14, 1889, pioneering journalist Nellie Bly, whose real name was Elizabeth Cochran, embarked on a journey to travel around the world in less than eighty days, inspired by Jules Verne’s novel “Around the World in Eighty Days.”

Bly’s journey was a bold challenge to both gender norms and technological limits of the time. She left New York City by steamship, traveling through England, France, Brindisi, the Suez Canal, Colombo, Hong Kong, and Japan before returning to San Francisco.

Completing the journey in just 72 days, Bly set a world record and became a celebrated figure in journalism and women’s history, showcasing the potential of investigative and adventure journalism.

1908 – Albert Einstein Presents His Quantum Theory of Light

Einstein

On November 14, 1908, Albert Einstein presented his quantum theory of light, significantly advancing the field of physics. Einstein proposed that light could be understood as discrete packets of energy, or “quanta,” later called photons.

This theory challenged the classical wave theory of light and helped to explain phenomena such as the photoelectric effect, where light striking a material emits electrons. Einstein’s work on the quantum nature of light was foundational in the development of quantum mechanics, a field that revolutionized our understanding of atomic and subatomic processes.

His insights earned him the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1921 and cemented his legacy as one of the greatest physicists in history.

1910 – Eugene Burton Ely’s First Shipboard Takeoff

On November 14, 1910, aviator Eugene Burton Ely performed the first successful takeoff from a ship, marking a milestone in naval aviation. Ely took off from a specially constructed wooden platform on the deck of the USS Birmingham, anchored in Hampton Roads, Virginia.

Flying a Curtiss Pusher biplane, Ely demonstrated the feasibility of operating aircraft from naval vessels, a concept that would become crucial in modern military strategy.

Although the flight was short and ended with a slightly damaged plane, it proved that aircraft could be integrated into naval operations. Ely’s pioneering flight paved the way for the development of aircraft carriers and the evolution of naval aviation as a key component of military power.

1918 – Czechoslovakia Becomes a Republic

On November 14, 1918, Czechoslovakia was officially declared a republic, marking its independence from the Austro-Hungarian Empire. The formation of Czechoslovakia was a significant event in the aftermath of World War I and the collapse of the Austro-Hungarian Empire.

Tomáš Garrigue Masaryk, a prominent Czechoslovak statesman and philosopher, became the first president of the new republic. The establishment of Czechoslovakia brought together the Czech lands and Slovakia, creating a multi-ethnic state that aimed to balance the interests of its diverse population.

The new republic adopted a democratic constitution and sought to develop a modern, progressive nation. However, it faced numerous challenges, including ethnic tensions and economic difficulties, which would later contribute to its eventual dissolution in 1993.

1922 – The BBC Begins Radio Service in the United Kingdom

On November 14, 1922, the British Broadcasting Company (BBC) began its radio service in the United Kingdom, marking the start of one of the world’s most influential broadcasting organizations. The first broadcast was made from Marconi House in London and featured news, weather reports, and music.

The BBC was initially a private company formed by a consortium of wireless manufacturers but was later nationalized and became the British Broadcasting Corporation. The launch of the BBC’s radio service revolutionized mass communication in Britain, providing the public with access to news, entertainment, and educational programs.

Over the years, the BBC has played a crucial role in shaping public opinion, cultural development, and providing a platform for significant historical broadcasts, such as wartime updates and royal addresses.

1940 – Coventry, England is Heavily Bombed by German Luftwaffe

Coventry Bombed by German Luftwaffe

On the night of November 14, 1940, Coventry, England, was subjected to a devastating bombing raid by the German Luftwaffe during World War II. This event, known as the Coventry Blitz, saw the city endure a sustained and intensive attack aimed at crippling its industrial capacity and demoralizing its population.

The raid lasted over ten hours, during which time more than 500 German bombers dropped thousands of incendiary bombs and high explosives, causing widespread destruction. Key industrial targets, including aircraft factories and munitions plants, were heavily damaged, but so too were residential areas and historical buildings, including the Coventry Cathedral, which was almost completely destroyed.

The bombing resulted in significant loss of life, with over 500 civilians killed and thousands more injured or left homeless. The Coventry Blitz became a symbol of British wartime resilience and highlighted the indiscriminate brutality of aerial warfare.

1952 – The First Regular UK Singles Chart Published by the New Musical Express

On November 14, 1952, the New Musical Express (NME) published the first regular UK Singles Chart, marking the beginning of an era in popular music. The chart was compiled based on the sales of singles in record stores across the United Kingdom and provided a new way to measure the popularity of songs and artists.

The inaugural chart listed Al Martino’s “Here in My Heart” as the number one single. This development had a significant impact on the music industry, as it provided a benchmark for success and helped to promote new artists and tracks.

The UK Singles Chart has since become an essential aspect of the British music scene, reflecting changing musical tastes and trends over the decades. It has also played a vital role in the careers of numerous artists by highlighting their commercial success and public appeal.

1960 – Ruby Bridges Integrates an All-White Elementary School in Louisiana

On November 14, 1960, six-year-old Ruby Bridges became the first African American child to integrate an all-white elementary school in the South, specifically William Frantz Elementary School in New Orleans, Louisiana.

Ruby Bridges on School Steps

This event was a landmark moment in the American Civil Rights Movement. Ruby was escorted by four federal marshals due to the hostile reactions from segregationists who protested her attendance. Her courage and resilience in the face of intense opposition became a symbol of the struggle for civil rights and the fight against racial segregation in education.

Norman Rockwell famously captured this moment in his painting “The Problem We All Live With,” which depicted Ruby walking to school surrounded by marshals.

Ruby Bridges’ integration of William Frantz Elementary School was a critical step in the enforcement of the Supreme Court’s 1954 Brown v. Board of Education decision, which declared state laws establishing separate public schools for black and white students to be unconstitutional.

1965 – The US Government Sends 90,000 Soldiers to Vietnam

On November 14, 1965, the United States escalated its involvement in the Vietnam War by sending 90,000 additional soldiers, bringing the total number of American troops in Vietnam to approximately 184,300. This decision was part of a larger strategy by President Lyndon B.

Johnson to combat the spread of communism in Southeast Asia, following the Gulf of Tonkin incident and the subsequent Gulf of Tonkin Resolution, which granted the president broad military powers in Vietnam. The increase in troops marked a significant intensification of the war effort, which led to heavy combat, including notable battles such as the Battle of Ia Drang in November 1965.

This period saw a substantial rise in American casualties and deepened the United States’ commitment to a conflict that would become increasingly controversial and polarizing back home, leading to widespread protests and significant societal impact.

1969 – Apollo 12, the Second Crewed Mission to the Moon, is Launched

On November 14, 1969, NASA launched Apollo 12, the sixth crewed mission in the Apollo program and the second to land on the Moon. The mission was commanded by Charles “Pete” Conrad, with Richard F. Gordon as the Command Module Pilot and Alan L. Bean as the Lunar Module Pilot. Despite being struck by lightning twice shortly after liftoff, the mission continued successfully.

Apollo 12 aimed to demonstrate a precise landing capability and perform extensive lunar exploration. On November 19, Conrad and Bean landed the Lunar Module Intrepid in the Ocean of Storms, near the Surveyor 3 probe, which had landed on the Moon in 1967.

The astronauts conducted two moonwalks, collecting lunar samples and deploying scientific instruments. Apollo 12’s successful mission provided valuable data and further demonstrated NASA’s growing expertise in lunar exploration, paving the way for subsequent missions.

1971 – Mariner 9 Becomes the First Spacecraft to Orbit Another Planet, Mars

On November 14, 1971, NASA’s Mariner 9 became the first spacecraft to successfully enter orbit around another planet, Mars. Launched on May 30, 1971, Mariner 9 was part of NASA’s Mariner program aimed at exploring neighboring planets. Upon arrival, Mariner 9 faced a planet-wide dust storm that initially obscured its view of the Martian surface.

However, the spacecraft was able to wait out the storm and eventually transmitted over 7,300 images back to Earth, revealing detailed views of Mars’ surface, including its volcanoes, canyons, and the Valles Marineris, a vast canyon system.

Mariner 9 also discovered evidence of ancient riverbeds, suggesting that liquid water once existed on Mars. This mission significantly advanced our understanding of Mars and demonstrated the feasibility of long-term orbital studies of other planets, setting a precedent for future missions.

1995 – US Federal Government Shutdown

On November 14, 1995, a budget standoff between President Bill Clinton and the Republican-controlled Congress led to a shutdown of the United States federal government. The shutdown resulted from disagreements over funding for public health, education, and environmental programs, as well as proposed tax cuts and Medicare reforms.

As a result, non-essential government services were halted, and hundreds of thousands of federal employees were furloughed. National parks, museums, and many government offices were closed, affecting millions of Americans.

The shutdown, which lasted until November 19, 1995, and was followed by a second shutdown in December 1995 to January 1996, highlighted the deep political divisions in Washington and underscored the challenges of reaching bipartisan agreements on budgetary issues. The standoffs had significant economic and political repercussions, influencing public perception of both Congress and the presidency.

2008 – The First G-20 Economic Summit Convenes in Washington, D.C.

On November 14, 2008, the first G-20 economic summit was convened in Washington, D.C., in response to the global financial crisis that had begun in 2007. The summit brought together leaders from the world’s major economies, including the G-20 nations, to discuss coordinated actions to stabilize the global financial system and prevent future economic crises.

Key topics included financial market regulation, fiscal and monetary policies to stimulate growth, and reforms to international financial institutions like the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank. The summit represented a significant shift in global economic governance, recognizing the increasing importance of emerging economies such as China, India, and Brazil.

The collaborative efforts initiated at this summit aimed to restore confidence in the global economy, promote sustainable growth, and enhance international financial stability. The G-20 summits have since become an annual event, playing a critical role in addressing global economic challenges.