Europa
- The Coventry Blitz (1940)
On November 14, 1940, one of the most devastating bombing raids of World War II took place when Nazi Germany launched “Operation Moonlight Sonata” against the English city of Coventry. Over 400 German bombers dropped 450 tons of high explosives, 50 parachute bombs, and 36,000 incendiary bombs, killing 568 people, injuring 863, and destroying or damaging 60,000 buildings, including the historic Coventry Cathedral. This attack became emblematic of the Luftwaffe’s campaign against British cities and had a profound impact on British morale and wartime strategy. - 1918: The Provisional National Assembly of the newly formed republic of Czechoslovakia convened to draft a constitution, marking a key moment in Central European history after World War I.
- 1921: The Communist Party of Spain was founded, issuing the first edition of its newspaper, Mundo obrero.
- 1922: The British Broadcasting Company (BBC) began its first radio service in the United Kingdom, a milestone in European and global broadcasting history.
- 1944: Albanian partisans liberated the city of Durrës from Axis occupation, contributing to the end of World War II in the Balkans.
- 1994: The Channel Tunnel (Eurotunnel) officially opened to passenger traffic, connecting England and France beneath the English Channel and symbolizing a new era of European integration and cooperation.
- 1914: The Joensuu City Hall, designed by Finnish architect Eliel Saarinen, was inaugurated in Finland.
- 1941: The British aircraft carrier HMS Ark Royal sank after being torpedoed by a German submarine.
America
- Apollo 12 Launch (1969)
NASA launched Apollo 12, the second crewed mission to the Moon, with astronauts Charles Conrad, Richard F. Gordon, and Alan L. Bean. This mission was notable for being the first to take a color TV camera to the lunar surface. - Battle of Ia Drang (1965)
The U.S. Army’s first major military engagement of the Vietnam War began in the Ia Drang Valley, marking a significant escalation of American involvement in Vietnam. - Nellie Bly’s Journey Around the World (1889)
American journalist Nellie Bly (Elizabeth Cochrane Seaman) set out from New York to circumnavigate the globe in less than 80 days, inspired by Jules Verne’s novel. She completed her journey in 72 days, a remarkable feat for the era. - Moby-Dick Published in the U.S. (1851)
Herman Melville’s classic novel Moby-Dick was published in the United States. Though not initially successful, it is now considered a masterpiece of American literature. - Eugene Ely’s First Shipboard Takeoff (1910)
Aviator Eugene Ely made the first successful airplane takeoff from a naval vessel, launching from the USS Birmingham in Virginia. This event marked the beginning of naval aviation in America. - Apalachin Mafia Meeting Raid (1957)
Law enforcement raided a summit of major Mafia leaders in Apalachin, New York, arresting dozens and exposing the scale of organized crime networks in the U.S.. - Freezing of Iranian Assets (1979)
President Jimmy Carter issued an executive order freezing all Iranian assets in the U.S. in response to the Iran hostage crisis, a pivotal event in U.S.-Iran relations. - Integration of New Orleans Schools (1960)
Ruby Bridges became the first Black child to attend an all-white elementary school in Louisiana, a landmark moment in the American Civil Rights Movement.
Asia
- Birth of Jawaharlal Nehru (1889)
Jawaharlal Nehru, the first Prime Minister of independent India and a central figure in Indian politics before and after independence, was born on November 14, 1889. His birthday is celebrated as Children’s Day in India, recognizing his affection for children and his vision for their education and welfare. - Recent Regional Security Developments (2024)
On November 13, 2024, Japan, South Korea, and the United States launched joint military drills in the East China Sea amid rising regional tensions with North Korea, China, and Russia. These “Freedom Edge” exercises, which continued into November 14, focused on maritime, aerial, and cyber operations to counter regional threats, particularly North Korean missile capabilities. - APEC Summit and U.S.-China Relations (2014)
Around November 14, 2014, the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Beijing marked a significant moment in U.S.-China relations. U.S. President Barack Obama and Chinese President Xi Jinping announced agreements on carbon emissions, technology tariffs, and military communication, signaling steps toward cooperation despite ongoing strategic tensions.
Africa
- The Berlin Conference Begins (1884)
On November 14, 1884, the Berlin Conference opened in Berlin, Germany. This event is one of the most consequential in African history: representatives from seven European powers met to divide the African continent among themselves, carving out colonial borders that disregarded existing ethnic, cultural, and economic realities. The decisions made at the Berlin Conference set the stage for decades of colonial rule, exploitation, and conflict, the effects of which still impact Africa today. - Abolition of Eritrea’s Federal Status (1962)
On November 14, 1962, the Ethiopian parliament and Eritrean Assembly voted unanimously to abolish Eritrea’s federal status, effectively annexing Eritrea as a province of Ethiopia. This move led to decades of armed struggle for Eritrean independence, which was eventually achieved in 1993. - Diwali Celebrations in Mauritius and Kenya
November 14 often coincides with Diwali, the Hindu “Festival of Lights,” which is a significant public holiday in Mauritius and an optional holiday in Kenya. Both countries have large Indian diaspora communities, and Diwali is celebrated with public festivities and cultural events. - Booker T. Washington’s Death (1915)
On November 14, 1915, Booker T. Washington, a prominent African American educator and leader, died. While his primary influence was in the United States, his legacy and ideas about education and self-reliance resonated with Black communities and leaders in Africa and the diaspora.
This day in history: 14 november