Major Events of November 1900: Key Historical Moments from the Month

Each month is marked by defining moments that shape the course of history. Whether through political shifts, cultural movements, or world-changing events, these periods leave a lasting impression. Dive into the most important events from November 1900 and discover how they influenced the world both then and now.

Major Events of November 1900: Key Historical Moments from the Month

01 Nov 1900 First U.S. Hydrogen Bomb Test: The United States conducted its first hydrogen bomb detonation at Eniwetok Atoll in the Marshall Islands, marking a significant milestone in nuclear weapons development during the Cold War era. This test represented a major technological and strategic advancement in military capabilities, dramatically escalating the potential destructive power of nuclear armaments.
02 Nov 1900 First United States Automobile Show: The inaugural automobile exhibition in the United States was held at Madison Square Garden in New York City, organized by the Automobile Club of America. This groundbreaking event marked a significant milestone in the emerging automotive industry, showcasing the latest technological innovations in transportation.
03 Nov 1900 First National Automobile Show in the United States: The inaugural national automobile show opened at Madison Square Garden in New York City, marking a significant milestone in the early automotive industry. This event showcased the emerging technology of automobiles and represented a pivotal moment in American transportation history, highlighting the growing interest and potential of motorized vehicles.
04 Nov 1900 Establishment of the Ahmadiyya Movement in Islam: On November 4, 1900, Mirza Ghulam Ahmad formally established the Ahmadiyya movement in India, a reformist Islamic religious movement that emphasizes peaceful propagation of Islam and spiritual renewal. The movement would go on to become a significant theological and social reform initiative within the broader Islamic world, advocating for non-violent interpretation of Islamic teachings and promoting education and interfaith dialogue.
05 Nov 1900 First Chemical Synthesis of Epinephrine: On November 5, 1900, Japanese chemist Jōkichi Takamine made a groundbreaking scientific achievement by applying for a patent on the first chemical synthesis of epinephrine, a critical human hormone. Takamine named this synthesized compound 'adrenaline', which would later become a pivotal medical breakthrough in understanding human physiology and developing treatments for various medical conditions.
06 Nov 1900 McKinley and Roosevelt Electoral Victory: Republican presidential candidate William McKinley, alongside his vice-presidential running mate Theodore Roosevelt, decisively defeated Democrat William Jennings Bryan in the 1900 United States presidential election.
07 Nov 1900 U.S. Presidential Election of 1900: William McKinley was re-elected as President of the United States, defeating Democratic challenger William Jennings Bryan with a decisive 292 electoral votes to Bryan's 155. This election solidified McKinley's popularity and the Republican Party's position during the era of American expansionism.
08 Nov 1900 Publication of Sister Carrie by Theodore Dreiser: Theodore Dreiser's groundbreaking novel "Sister Carrie" was published by Doubleday, Page & Company, marking a significant moment in American literary realism. The book's publication was controversial, as company president Frank Nelson Doubleday initially opposed its release while he was away on a business trip. The novel, which explored themes of ambition, sexuality, and social mobility, would later be recognized as a pivotal work in early 20th-century American literature.
09 Nov 1900 Patent for Track-Type Tractor: On November 9, 1900, Benjamin Holt applied for a groundbreaking patent for the Track-Type Tractor, introducing the continuous track or 'caterpillar track' technology. This innovative design would revolutionize heavy machinery, becoming crucial for future developments in agricultural equipment, construction vehicles, and military technology, including tanks and bulldozers.
10 Nov 1900 British Concentration Camps in Boer War: British Field Marshal Herbert Kitchener announced a controversial strategy in the Second Boer War, proposing to 'depopulate the towns in the Transvaal'. This plan involved discontinuing the burning of farms and relocating civilians to what British MP John Ellis termed 'concentration camps', a term originally derived from Spanish 'reconcentrado' camps used in Cuba. These camps would become notorious for their harsh conditions and high civilian mortality rates.
11 Nov 1900 Baron de Coubertin Announces 1904 Olympic Games Host: Pierre de Coubertin, the founder of the modern Olympic Games, officially announced that St. Louis, Missouri, in the United States, would host the third modern Olympic Games in 1904. This decision was significant as it marked the first time the Olympic Games would be held in the Western Hemisphere, highlighting the growing international recognition and expansion of the Olympic movement.
12 Nov 1900 1900 Paris World's Fair Concludes: The Exposition Universelle of 1900, a grand international exhibition held in Paris, officially closed on November 12th. The event's conclusion was dramatically marked by three ceremonial cannon shots fired from the iconic Eiffel Tower, symbolizing the end of a remarkable six-month showcase of global innovation, culture, and technological achievements. Running from April to November, this World's Fair was a spectacular display of human progress at the turn of the 20th century, attracting millions of visitors from around the world and featuring groundbreaking exhibits in art, science, and industry.
13 Nov 1900 Paris World's Fair of 1900 Concludes: The Exposition Universelle of 1900, a grand international exhibition held in Paris, officially closed after running from April to November. The conclusion was ceremonially marked by three cannon shots fired from the iconic Eiffel Tower, symbolizing the end of this significant cultural and technological showcase of the turn of the century.
14 Nov 1900 Baseball League Schism: National League vs American League: In a dramatic shift in professional baseball, approximately 100 players from the National League (NL) defected to the newly formed American League (AL), marking the beginning of a significant rivalry and structural transformation in the sport. Notable star players like Cy Young, one of the most legendary pitchers in baseball history, and Nap Lajoie, a renowned second baseman, were among those who made the leap. The NL responded by declaring the AL an 'outlaw league', escalating tensions between the two professional baseball circuits and setting the stage for what would become a pivotal moment in American sports history.
15 Nov 1900 Andrew Carnegie Founds Carnegie Tech: On November 15, 1900, Andrew Carnegie made a landmark donation of one million dollars to establish what would later become Carnegie Mellon University. This generous contribution laid the foundation for a prestigious educational institution that would become a global leader in technology, research, and innovation.
16 Nov 1900 Philadelphia Orchestra's Inaugural Public Performance: On November 16, 1900, the Philadelphia Orchestra held its first public concert under the baton of conductor Fritz Scheel. This momentous event marked the beginning of what would become one of the most prestigious and renowned orchestras in the United States. The performance not only introduced the ensemble to the public but also set the stage for the orchestra's future prominence in the classical music world.
17 Nov 1900 United States Acquires Panama Canal Zone: On November 17, 1900, the United States secured the Panama Canal Zone through a strategic treaty with Colombia, marking a pivotal moment in American imperial expansion and global maritime infrastructure. This acquisition would later become crucial for international trade and naval mobility, enabling faster transportation between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans by creating a critical maritime shortcut.
18 Nov 1900 Uneventful Day in History: On November 18, 1900, no significant historical events were recorded. This was a relatively quiet day during the early years of the 20th century, with no major political, social, or scientific developments noted in historical archives.
19 Nov 1900 Colombian Navy Seizes British Steamship in Diplomatic Incident: On November 19, 1900, the Colombian Navy forcibly seized the British steamship Taboga after a contentious dispute with the ship's captain. The vessel was detained when its captain refused to transport Colombian military troops, leading to an international maritime confrontation that highlighted the tensions between Colombia and foreign maritime interests during the early 20th century.
20 Nov 1900 Rare November Tornado in Tennessee and Mississippi: On November 20, 1900, an unusually powerful and devastating tornado tore through Columbia, Tennessee, and parts of Mississippi, resulting in a tragic loss of 30 lives. Such late-season tornadoes were extremely uncommon, making this event particularly noteworthy in meteorological records. The tornado's path of destruction highlighted the unpredictable and severe nature of severe weather events during the early 20th century.
22 Nov 1900 First Mercedes Automobile Tested and Delivered: On November 22, 1900, a groundbreaking moment in automotive history occurred in Cannstatt, Germany. The first automobile under the Mercedes brand was custom-built and delivered to Emil Jellinek, a visionary entrepreneur passionate about high-performance vehicles. This event marked a significant milestone in the early development of the modern automobile industry, showcasing the emerging technological innovations of the turn of the 20th century.
24 Nov 1900 Uneventful Day in 1900: While no specific significant historical events were recorded for November 24, 1900, this date falls during the late Victorian era, a period of significant global transformation marked by industrial expansion, colonial ambitions, and technological innovations.
25 Nov 1900 Rudolf Höss: Notorious Auschwitz Commandant: Rudolf Höss was the first and longest-serving commandant of the Auschwitz concentration camp during World War II. He was responsible for overseeing the systematic murder of approximately 1.1 million people, primarily Jews, during the Holocaust. Höss implemented the most efficient mass killing methods at the camp, including large-scale gas chamber executions. After the war, he was captured, tried at Nuremberg, and executed by hanging in 1947 at the site of the Auschwitz concentration camp.
26 Nov 1900 Uneventful Day in Global History: While no specific major historical events were recorded on November 26, 1900, this date falls during a significant period of global transformation. The turn of the 20th century was marked by rapid industrialization, colonial expansions, and technological innovations. The world was transitioning from the Victorian era to the modern age, with significant geopolitical shifts occurring across continents.
27 Nov 1900 Death of U.S. Senator Cushman Kellogg Davis: U.S. Senator Cushman Kellogg Davis of Minnesota passed away in Saint Paul, Minnesota, at the age of 62. Davis was a prominent political figure who served in the United States Senate, representing Minnesota during the late 19th century. His death marked the end of a significant political career that contributed to the state's representation during a period of national expansion and transformation.
28 Nov 1900 Tsar Nicholas II Recovers from Typhoid Fever: On November 28, 1900, Tsar Nicholas II of Russia began recovering from a serious bout of typhoid fever. This illness had temporarily incapacitated the young monarch, who was then 32 years old and had been ruling the Russian Empire for five years. Typhoid fever, a potentially life-threatening bacterial infection spread through contaminated food and water, was a significant health risk during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, particularly in regions with poor sanitation.
29 Nov 1900 Thanksgiving Day Stadium Collapse Tragedy: A devastating structural failure occurred at the Pacific Glass Works in San Francisco during the annual California Golden Bears versus Stanford Cardinal football game. The roof collapse resulted in 23 fatalities and over 100 injuries, representing one of the most significant sports-related disasters of the early 20th century. This incident likely led to major improvements in stadium and building safety regulations.
30 Nov 1900 Death of Oscar Wilde: On November 30, 1900, the renowned Irish author, poet, and playwright Oscar Wilde passed away in Paris, France, succumbing to meningitis at the age of 46. Known for his wit, literary brilliance, and controversial personal life, Wilde was a pivotal figure in the aesthetic movement and left an indelible mark on literature with works like 'The Picture of Dorian Gray' and 'The Importance of Being Earnest'.