Europa
- Lisbon Earthquake (1755)
On November 1, 1755, one of the deadliest earthquakes in history struck Lisbon, Portugal. The disaster nearly destroyed the city, with death toll estimates reaching up to 100,000 people. The event had a profound impact on European thought, influencing philosophers such as Voltaire and Rousseau, who questioned the nature of divine justice in the face of such catastrophe. - Birth of the European Union (1993)
November 1, 1993, marks the formal establishment of the European Union. This followed the Maastricht Treaty coming into effect, creating a new political and economic union that initially included 12 member states and now comprises 27. - The Black Death Reaches London (1348)
Around November 1, 1348, the Black Death, or bubonic plague, arrived in London, likely brought by ship. The plague would go on to kill 30–40% of England’s population over the next two years, fundamentally altering European society. - Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel Ceiling Unveiled (1512)
On November 1, 1512, Michelangelo’s masterpiece on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel was revealed to the public for the first time. This monumental work became a defining achievement of the Renaissance and continues to draw millions of visitors each year. - The Rome-Berlin Axis Proclaimed (1936)
On November 1, 1936, Italian dictator Benito Mussolini announced the Rome-Berlin Axis after a visit to Berlin, formalizing the alliance between Fascist Italy and Nazi Germany that would shape European politics leading up to World War II. - 996: The oldest known document using the name “Ostarrîchi” (Austria) was issued by Emperor Otto III.
- 1179: Philip II was crowned King of France.
- 1604: Shakespeare’s tragedy Othello was performed for the first time at Whitehall Palace in London.
America
- First Thermonuclear Bomb Test (1952)
On November 1, 1952, the United States detonated the world’s first thermonuclear (hydrogen) bomb, codenamed “Ivy Mike,” at Eniwetok Atoll in the Marshall Islands. This test, led by Edward Teller and American scientists, marked a significant escalation in the nuclear arms race, with the explosion yielding about ten megatons of TNT equivalent. - John Adams Moves into the White House (1800)
On this day in 1800, President John Adams became the first U.S. president to reside in the Executive Mansion at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, later known as the White House, in Washington, D.C. This marked a new era for the presidency and the nation’s capital. - Attempted Assassination of President Truman (1950)
On November 1, 1950, Puerto Rican nationalists Griselio Torresola and Oscar Collazo attempted to assassinate President Harry S. Truman at Blair House in Washington, D.C. The attempt failed, but it highlighted tensions over Puerto Rico’s political status. - United Airlines Flight 629 Bombing (1955)
A bomb hidden in checked luggage exploded aboard United Airlines Flight 629 over Longmont, Colorado, killing all 44 people on board. This tragic event was one of the earliest acts of airliner sabotage in the United States. - 1683: The British Crown colony of New York was subdivided into 12 counties, shaping the administrative structure of the state.
- 1848: The Boston Female Medical School, the first medical school for women in the U.S., opened in Massachusetts.
- 1861: President Abraham Lincoln appointed George B. McClellan as commander of the Union Army during the Civil War.
- 1870: The U.S. Weather Bureau (now the National Weather Service) issued its first official weather forecast.
- 1938: Seabiscuit, the legendary racehorse, defeated War Admiral in a match race considered the “match of the century”.
Asia
- India: Karnataka Formation Day (Rajyotsava Day)
November 1 is celebrated as Karnataka Formation Day in India, marking the unification of Kannada-speaking regions into the state of Karnataka in 1956. This is a significant regional holiday and a symbol of linguistic and cultural identity in southern India. - India: Anti-Sikh Riots (1984)
Following the assassination of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi on October 31, 1984, widespread anti-Sikh riots erupted across India on November 1. These tragic events led to the deaths of thousands of Sikhs and had a profound impact on Indian society and politics. - China: Maritime Disaster (1948)
On November 1, 1948, a Chinese merchant ship exploded and sank off southern Manchuria, resulting in the deaths of approximately 6,000 people. This remains one of the deadliest maritime disasters in Chinese history. - Vietnam: Coup in South Vietnam (1963)
On November 1, 1963, South Vietnamese President Ngo Dinh Diem and his brother Ngo Dinh Nhu were killed during a military coup. This event marked a turning point in the Vietnam War and altered the political landscape of Southeast Asia. - All Saints’ Day: While primarily a Christian observance, All Saints’ Day on November 1 is recognized by Christian communities in parts of Asia, including the Philippines and India.
- Japan (1944): The first reconnaissance mission by a Boeing B-29 Superfortress over Tokyo took place on November 1, 1944, marking a new phase in the air war over Japan during World War II.
Africa
- Algerian War of Independence Begins (1954)
On November 1, 1954, Algeria launched its war of independence against French colonial rule. Members of the National Liberation Front (FLN) initiated coordinated attacks across the country, marking the start of an eight-year struggle that ultimately led to Algerian independence in 1962. This day is commemorated annually in Algeria as the “Anniversary of the Revolution” and is considered a pivotal moment in African and anti-colonial history. - Nigeria Introduces New Currency (1954)
On the same day, Nigeria introduced the Nigerian pound, replacing the West African pound. This move was a significant step toward economic autonomy in the run-up to Nigeria’s independence in 1960. - Battle of Bembezi (1893)
The Battle of Bembezi took place on November 1, 1893, during the First Matabele War in what is now Zimbabwe. A small British force defeated a much larger Ndebele (Matabele) army, which had lasting consequences for the region and the fate of indigenous rule in southern Africa. - Nigeria’s Transition to Civilian Rule (1979): On November 1, 1979, Nigeria adopted a new constitution and transitioned from military to civilian governance, marking a new chapter in the country’s political history.
- Traditional and Cultural Observances: November is a month of various local and national observances across Africa, but November 1 is especially significant in Algeria and Nigeria for the reasons above.
This day in history: 1 november