Europa
- St Andrew’s Day (Scotland)
November 30 is celebrated as St Andrew’s Day, the national day of Scotland. St Andrew is the patron saint of Scotland, as well as of golfers and fishermen. The day is marked by various cultural events and is a significant date in Scottish identity. - First International Football Match (UK)
On November 30, 1872, the first-ever international football (soccer) match took place at Hamilton Crescent, Glasgow, between Scotland and England. The match ended in a 0-0 draw and is recognized as a landmark in sports history. - Birth of Winston Churchill (UK)
Winston Churchill, the renowned British statesman, Prime Minister during World War II, Nobel Prize laureate, and one of the most influential figures in European and world history, was born on November 30, 1874, at Blenheim Palace, England. - The Winter War Begins (Finland)
On November 30, 1939, the Soviet Union invaded Finland, marking the start of the Winter War. The Soviet Red Army crossed the Finnish border and bombed Helsinki and other cities. Despite being outnumbered, Finnish forces mounted a strong resistance. The conflict lasted until March 1940 and had significant repercussions for both countries and Europe as a whole.
America
- Preliminary Peace Treaty Ends the Revolutionary War (1782)
On November 30, 1782, representatives from the United States and Great Britain signed preliminary articles of peace in Paris, effectively ending the American Revolutionary War. These articles would later become the Treaty of Paris, formally signed in 1783, which recognized American independence. - Battle of Franklin, Tennessee (1864)
During the American Civil War, the Battle of Franklin took place on November 30, 1864. The Confederate Army of Tennessee, led by General John Bell Hood, suffered devastating losses in an assault against Union forces under General John Schofield. - Hodges Meteorite Incident (1954)
In a rare and remarkable event, a meteorite struck a woman named Ann Hodges in Sylacauga, Alabama, on November 30, 1954. This is the only documented case in the United States of a human being directly hit by a meteorite. - Barbados Gains Independence (1966)
Barbados, a Caribbean nation, achieved full independence from Britain on November 30, 1966. While geographically in the Caribbean, this event had significant political and cultural resonance throughout the Americas. - WTO Protests in Seattle (1999)
On November 30, 1999, approximately 40,000 protesters clashed with police in Seattle during the World Trade Organization (WTO) Ministerial Conference. The event, known as the “Battle of Seattle,” became a landmark in the anti-globalization movement.
Asia
- 1703 – Great Edo Earthquake (Japan)
A devastating earthquake struck Edo (now Tokyo), Japan, resulting in the deaths of approximately 37,000 people. - 1803 – British East India Company Expands Control (India)
The British East India Company took control over Delhi, Agra, and Bharuch, marking a significant expansion of British colonial rule in India. - 1906 – Founding of the All-India Muslim League (Dhaka, now Bangladesh)
The All-India Muslim League, a major political party that later played a crucial role in the creation of Pakistan, was founded in Dhaka. - 1940 – Sino-Japanese Treaty Signed (China)
The Empire of Japan signed the Sino-Japanese Treaty of 1940 with the Wang Jingwei-led Reorganized National Government of China during World War II, establishing a collaborationist regime. - 1947 – Civil War in Mandatory Palestine Begins
The civil conflict in Mandatory Palestine started, leading up to the creation of the State of Israel and the 1948 Arab–Israeli War. - 1967 – Pakistan Peoples Party Founded
The Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) was founded by Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, who became its first chairman. The PPP would go on to become a major political force in Pakistan. - 1971 – Iran Seizes Islands in the Persian Gulf
Iran seized the Greater and Lesser Tunbs islands from the Emirates of Sharjah and Ras Al Khaimah, escalating tensions in the Persian Gulf region. - 2006 – Saddam Hussein Sentenced to Death (Iraq)
Former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein was sentenced to death, a pivotal moment in Iraq’s modern history. - 2012 – Suicide Attack in Balochistan (Pakistan)
A suicide bombing in Balochistan, Pakistan, resulted in the deaths of 19 people.
Africa
- John Sentamu Becomes Archbishop of York (2005)
On November 30, 2005, John Sentamu, originally from Uganda, assumed the role of Archbishop of York, becoming the first Black archbishop in the history of the Church of England. His appointment was a landmark moment for both the Anglican Church and the African diaspora. - D.F. Malan Steps Down as South African Prime Minister (1954)
D.F. Malan, who served as Prime Minister of South Africa and was a key architect of apartheid policy, stepped down from his position on November 30, 1954. - Birth of a Renowned South African Artist (1951)
A prominent South African actor, playwright, and singer was born on November 30, 1951, in Fort Beaufort, Eastern Cape, contributing significantly to the country’s cultural landscape. - Barbados Gains Independence (1966)
While Barbados is in the Caribbean, its independence from Britain on November 30, 1966, is significant for the African diaspora, as the majority of Barbadians are of African descent. Errol Barrow became the first head of state.
This day in history: 30 november