Major Events of November 1901: 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 1901 and discover how they influenced the world both then and now.

Major Events of November 1901: Key Historical Moments from the Month

01 Nov 1901 Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity Founded: Sigma Phi Epsilon, a prominent national male collegiate fraternity, was established at Richmond College in Richmond, Virginia. The fraternity would go on to become one of the largest and most influential Greek letter organizations in the United States, promoting leadership, scholarship, and brotherhood among college students.
02 Nov 1901 Assassination of President William McKinley: President William McKinley was fatally shot by anarchist Leon Czolgosz at the Pan-American Exposition in Buffalo, New York. The shooting occurred on September 6, 1901, and McKinley died eight days later on September 14, marking a significant moment in American presidential history. Vice President Theodore Roosevelt succeeded McKinley as president, becoming the youngest president in the nation's history at that time.
03 Nov 1901 First Game of the Columbus Panhandles: The Columbus Panhandles, a professional football team that would later become one of the founding members of the National Football League (NFL), played their first recorded game on November 3, 1901. They lost to the Columbus Barracks team of local soldiers with a score of 6-2.
04 Nov 1901 Philippine Sedition Act of 1901: On November 4, 1901, the Philippine Commission, a governing body consisting of five American officials and three Filipino members overseeing the American-occupied Philippine Islands, enacted the Philippine Sedition Act. This controversial legislation criminalized any verbal, written, or published expression deemed seditious against the United States government or the occupation administration. The act effectively suppressed dissent and limited free speech during the early period of American colonial rule, making it illegal to criticize the occupying government through speeches, writings, or publications.
05 Nov 1901 UK-Brazil Boundary Arbitration Treaty: The United Kingdom and Brazil signed a landmark treaty agreeing to international arbitration to resolve the boundary dispute between northern Brazil and British Guiana (now Guyana). The King of Italy, Victor Emmanuel III, was appointed as the arbitrator. After his initial decision on June 6, 1904, and subsequent corrections, the nations finalized the boundary along the Essequibo and Courantyne Rivers with a treaty on April 22, 1926.
06 Nov 1901 Brazil-United Kingdom Border Arbitration Treaty: The United Kingdom and Brazil signed a landmark treaty agreeing to international arbitration to resolve the complex boundary dispute between northern Brazil and British Guiana (now Guyana). The arbitration process involved King Victor Emmanuel III of Italy, who would render a definitive decision on June 6, 1904. After addressing initial inaccuracies, the nations further refined their agreement by signing a comprehensive boundary treaty on April 22, 1926, which precisely demarcated the border along the Essequibo and Courantyne Rivers.
07 Nov 1901 French Naval Action in Mytilene: On November 7, 1901, a French naval squadron seized the customs house on Mytilene (Lesbos), an island then under Ottoman Turkish control. This action was a direct response to Turkey's refusal to pay indemnities for losses suffered by French citizens during previous conflicts in 1896. The incident highlights the complex diplomatic and military tensions between European powers and the declining Ottoman Empire during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
08 Nov 1901 Ottoman Empire Yields to French Diplomatic Pressure: The Ottoman Empire government capitulated to French diplomatic demands, leading to the withdrawal of the French Navy from its blockade of Turkish ports, demonstrating the complex geopolitical dynamics of the early 20th century.
09 Nov 1901 Prince George Becomes Prince of Wales: Prince George, Duke of York, was formally invested with the traditional titles of Prince of Wales and Earl of Chester on November 9, 1901. As the heir apparent to King Edward VII, this ceremony marked a significant milestone in his royal progression, symbolizing his future role as the eventual monarch of the United Kingdom.
10 Nov 1901 Near Miss on Imperial Train Leads to Labor Union Dissolution: On November 10, 1901, a potentially catastrophic incident occurred involving Emperor Meiji's train. The Traffic Section Chief at the Semine Station mistakenly allowed the Imperial Train to depart despite another train being stalled on the same track, creating a dangerous near-collision scenario. This incident became a pivotal moment for labor relations, as the Nippon Railway Company used this event as a pretext to dissolve the recently formed engine drivers' labor union, known as the *Kyoseikai*. The near miss highlighted significant safety concerns and exposed the fragile state of workers' rights during the early 20th century in Japan.
11 Nov 1901 Uneventful Day in Early 20th Century: While no significant historical events were documented for November 11, 1901, this date represents a typical day during the early years of the 20th century. The world was in a period of relative peace and technological transition, with industrialization rapidly transforming societies across Europe and North America.
12 Nov 1901 Powerful Storm in Southern Ireland and Northern Securities Company Antitrust Case: On November 12, 1901, two significant events occurred. A devastating storm, considered the most powerful recorded in British history up to that point, struck southern Ireland, causing extensive damage and likely significant disruption to local communities. Simultaneously, the Northern Securities Company, a major railroad trust formed by prominent business magnates J.P. Morgan, James J. Hill, and others, was making headlines in the United States. This company was a significant monopolistic enterprise that would soon face antitrust legal challenges, ultimately leading to its dissolution by the Supreme Court in 1904.
13 Nov 1901 Caister Lifeboat Disaster: On November 13, 1901, a tragic maritime rescue operation unfolded off the coast of Caister-on-Sea, Norfolk, England. The local lifeboat crew of the Beauchamp, demonstrating extraordinary courage, set out into treacherous North Sea conditions to rescue a sinking vessel. Despite facing extremely dangerous storm conditions with heavy surf, the brave crew continued their mission. Tragically, their rescue boat capsized, resulting in the loss of 11 out of 14 crew members. Only three rescuers survived this devastating incident, which highlighted the immense risks taken by maritime rescue services in the early 20th century.
14 Nov 1901 Ekman's Mathematical Explanation of Ocean Flow: Swedish oceanographer Vagn Walfrid Ekman made a groundbreaking contribution to oceanography by mathematically explaining the complex dynamics of ocean currents. In a detailed letter to renowned explorer Fridtjof Nansen, Ekman first demonstrated the mathematical model now known as the Ekman spiral. This innovative theory explains how wind conditions, prevailing ocean currents, and the Coriolis effect—resulting from Earth's rotation—interact to determine the direction and movement of ocean flows. His work significantly advanced understanding of global ocean circulation patterns and marine dynamics.
15 Nov 1901 First Battery-Powered Hearing Aid Patented: On November 15, 1901, a groundbreaking medical technology innovation occurred with the patent of the Acousticon, the first battery-powered hearing aid. This invention marked a significant milestone in assistive technology, providing improved auditory assistance for individuals with hearing impairments and paving the way for future advancements in hearing device design.
16 Nov 1901 First Automobile Race in Argentina: A historic moment in Argentine motorsports occurred when the first automobile race was held at the Hipódromo Argentino de Palermo in Buenos Aires. Juan Cassoulet emerged victorious, completing a 1-kilometer dirt track in 49 seconds at an impressive speed of 73.46 kilometers per hour, marking a significant milestone in the country's automotive history.
17 Nov 1901 Birth of Walter Hallstein: Walter Hallstein, a prominent German academic and politician who would later become a key figure in post-World War II European integration, was born in Mainz, Germany. He would go on to play a significant role in establishing the European Economic Community (EEC) and is often considered one of the founding fathers of the European Union.
18 Nov 1901 Hay–Pauncefote Treaty Signed: The United States and Great Britain signed the Hay–Pauncefote Treaty, a significant diplomatic agreement that nullified the previous Clayton–Bulwer Treaty. This treaty effectively granted the United States the right to independently construct and control a canal through Panama, paving the way for the future Panama Canal and marking a pivotal moment in American international infrastructure and geopolitical strategy.
20 Nov 1901 European Arbitration Court Declines Boer Nations' Request: On November 20, 1901, the European Arbitration Court at The Hague made a significant legal decision by ruling that it did not have jurisdiction to recognize requests from the Orange Free State and the South African Republic. This ruling occurred during the context of the Second Boer War, highlighting the complex international legal and political tensions of the time.
21 Nov 1901 First Professional Night Football Game in America: On November 21, 1901, a groundbreaking moment in American sports history occurred when the Philadelphia Football Athletics made history by defeating the Kanaweola Athletic Club of Elmira, New York, with a decisive 39-0 victory. This match was significant as it became the first professionally played American football game to be held under artificial lighting, marking a pivotal moment in sports entertainment and technological innovation.
22 Nov 1901 Ottoman Empire Faces Severe Financial Crisis: The Ottoman Empire's ministerial council voted to borrow 40,000 pounds from the Sacred Treasury, highlighting the severe economic challenges facing the declining empire. This financial strain was symptomatic of the broader economic and political instability that would eventually contribute to the empire's collapse.
23 Nov 1901 Great Storm of 1901 Devastates Southern Ireland and Britain: On November 23, 1901, one of the most powerful meteorological events in British historical records struck southern Ireland, Wales, the Midlands, Lincolnshire, and extended into the English Channel. This catastrophic storm claimed over 200 lives during a 48-hour period, demonstrating the immense destructive potential of extreme weather. Wind speeds were extraordinarily high, with sustained winds averaging nearly 70 miles per hour and devastating gusts reaching up to 100 miles per hour. The storm's intensity was particularly evident in maritime regions, where numerous ships were sunk in the Channel and Southwest Approaches, highlighting the storm's devastating maritime impact.
24 Nov 1901 Uneventful Day in Early 20th Century: While no specific significant historical events were recorded for November 24, 1901, this date represents a typical day during the early years of the 20th century. The world was in a period of transition, with technological innovations, colonial expansions, and emerging global tensions characterizing the era.
25 Nov 1901 First Nobel Prizes Awarded in Stockholm: On November 25, 1901, the inaugural Nobel Prizes were ceremonially presented in Stockholm, Sweden, marking a groundbreaking moment in global recognition of human achievement. The prestigious awards honored exceptional individuals who had made remarkable contributions in five key disciplines: physics, chemistry, medicine, literature, and peace. This historic event, initiated by Alfred Nobel's visionary testament, established an unprecedented international platform to celebrate and incentivize outstanding human accomplishments across diverse fields of human endeavor.
26 Nov 1901 Italy and Britain Establish Colonial Border in East Africa: On November 26, 1901, Italy and Britain signed a diplomatic agreement to definitively demarcate the colonial frontier between their respective territories in East Africa, specifically involving the colonies of Eritrea and Sudan. This agreement was part of the broader European colonial partitioning of the African continent during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, aimed at clarifying territorial boundaries and preventing potential conflicts between imperial powers.
27 Nov 1901 U.S. Army War College Established: The U.S. Army War College was officially established in Washington, D.C., to provide advanced military education and strategic training for senior military officers. This institution would play a crucial role in developing military leadership and strategic thinking for the United States Armed Forces.
28 Nov 1901 Uneventful Day in Early 20th Century: While no specific significant historical events were recorded for November 28, 1901, this date represents a typical day during the early years of the 20th century. The world was in a period of transition, with technological innovations, colonial expansions, and emerging global tensions characterizing the era. Although no major events are documented for this specific date, it serves as a snapshot of daily life during the Progressive Era.
29 Nov 1901 Development of Bronx Infrastructure: East 182nd Street in the Bronx, New York City, was officially paved and opened, marking an important milestone in the urban development of the borough during the early 20th century. This infrastructure improvement represented the ongoing urbanization and expansion of New York City's transportation network during the Progressive Era.
30 Nov 1901 Uneventful Day in Global History: While no specific major historical events were recorded for November 30, 1901, this date falls during the early years of the 20th century, a period of significant global transformation. The world was experiencing rapid industrialization, colonial expansions, and technological advancements. At this time, countries like the United States, European powers, and emerging nations were reshaping global political and economic landscapes.