Major Events of November 1902: 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 1902 and discover how they influenced the world both then and now.

Major Events of November 1902: Key Historical Moments from the Month

02 Nov 1902 William D. Jelks Elected Governor of Alabama: On November 2, 1902, William D. Jelks was elected as the 32nd governor of Alabama, defeating his opponent John A. W. Smith in a competitive gubernatorial race. Jelks, a prominent political figure of the early 20th century, would go on to serve as the state's chief executive during a pivotal period of Alabama's political development.
03 Nov 1902 Scottish Antarctic Exploration Expedition Launches: On November 3, 1902, the British Antarctic Expedition commenced with Scottish explorers departing aboard the steamer Scotia. This scientific expedition represented an important period of polar exploration, contributing to geographical knowledge and understanding of the Antarctic continent during the early 20th century.
04 Nov 1902 Irish MP William Redmond Arrested Under Crimes Act: On November 4, 1902, William Redmond, an Irish Member of Parliament, was arrested, becoming the third Irish MP in the United Kingdom's House of Commons to be detained for violating the Crimes Act. This arrest underscored the ongoing tensions between Ireland and Britain during the period of British colonial rule.
05 Nov 1902 British Financial Aid to South African Colonies: The United Kingdom's House of Commons approved a substantial financial aid package of $40 million to support Britain's South African colonies, reflecting the ongoing economic and political engagement in the region during the post-Boer War period.
06 Nov 1902 Cleveland By-Election of 1902: The Cleveland by-election saw Liberal candidate Herbert Samuel win the seat with an increased majority, signaling growing Liberal Party support and political momentum in the constituency during this period of British political history.
07 Nov 1902 Sir Marcus Samuel Becomes Lord Mayor of London: Sir Marcus Samuel was officially installed as the Lord Mayor of London in a traditional ceremony on November 7, 1902. As a prominent businessman and politician, his appointment represented the significant influence of merchant classes in early 20th-century British governance.
08 Nov 1902 Royal Canadian Mounted Police Intervene with Doukhobors: On November 8, 1902, the Canadian government deployed the Royal Canadian Mounted Police to interrupt a winter pilgrimage by a group of Doukhobors in British Columbia. These religious immigrants, who had recently migrated from Russia, were experiencing tensions with local authorities. The intervention highlighted the challenges of cultural integration and religious freedom during Canada's early settlement period.
09 Nov 1902 Birth of Anthony Asquith, Pioneering British Film Director: Anthony Asquith, a prominent British film director known for his significant contributions to early British cinema, was born in London on November 9, 1902. As the son of prominent political figure H. H. Asquith (who served as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1908 to 1916) and Margot Asquith, he was born into a politically influential family. Throughout his career, Asquith would become renowned for directing influential films such as 'Pygmalion' (1938) and 'The Importance of Being Earnest' (1952), helping to establish British cinema's international reputation.
10 Nov 1902 Founding of Bocconi University: Bocconi University was established in Milan by Italian politician Ferdinando Bocconi as a memorial to his late son Luigi. The university would go on to become one of Italy's most prestigious institutions of higher education, particularly renowned for economics, management, and social sciences.
11 Nov 1902 British and German Naval Blockade of Venezuela: In a significant diplomatic and military action, King Edward VII of the United Kingdom and his nephew Kaiser Wilhelm II of Germany jointly agreed to impose a naval blockade on Venezuela. This intervention was primarily motivated by Venezuela's refusal to repay international debts to European creditors. The blockade was a demonstration of European imperial power in Latin America and highlighted the complex international relations of the early 20th century.
12 Nov 1902 Germany and U.S. Refer Chinese Indemnity Payment to Hague Tribunal: In a diplomatic resolution, Germany and the United States agreed to submit the complex financial dispute regarding the Chinese indemnity payment method to the Hague Tribunal. The key point of contention was whether the reparations should be settled in gold or silver currency, reflecting the intricate international monetary dynamics of the early 20th century.
13 Nov 1902 Germany and U.S. Agree on Hague Tribunal Arbitration for Chinese Indemnity: In a diplomatic move, Germany and the United States jointly decided to refer the complex financial dispute regarding the Chinese indemnity payment to the Hague Tribunal. The key issue was determining whether the indemnity should be settled in gold or silver currency, a decision with significant economic implications for international trade and diplomatic relations in the early 20th century.
14 Nov 1902 Anthracite Coal Strike Commission Begins Hearings: The newly formed Anthracite Coal Strike Commission commenced its investigation by taking witness testimony in Scranton, Pennsylvania. This commission was uniquely established through a collaborative agreement between labor and management representatives, signaling an innovative approach to resolving industrial disputes during the early 20th century. The hearings aimed to address the complex labor tensions in the coal mining industry and seek a peaceful resolution to ongoing conflicts.
15 Nov 1902 Origin of the Teddy Bear: A newspaper cartoon depicting U.S. President Theodore 'Teddy' Roosevelt refusing to shoot a bear cub becomes the inspiration for Morris Michtom to create the first teddy bear in New York City, launching a global toy phenomenon.
16 Nov 1902 Rodrigues Alves Becomes President of Brazil: Francisco de Paula Rodrigues Alves was officially sworn in as the fifth President of Brazil, beginning a four-year presidential term and succeeding Manuel Ferraz de Campos Sales. His inauguration marked a significant moment in Brazil's early republican political history.
17 Nov 1902 Christopher Columbus' Ashes Interred in Seville Cathedral: The mortal remains of Christopher Columbus were ceremonially deposited in a grand mausoleum within the Cathedral of Seville, Spain. This event symbolized the final resting place of the famous explorer who had dramatically reshaped global understanding through his voyages of exploration in the late 15th century.
18 Nov 1902 Origin of the Teddy Bear: Brooklyn toymaker Morris Michton creates the first 'Teddy Bear', naming the stuffed animal after President Theodore Roosevelt following a famous hunting incident where Roosevelt refused to shoot a captured bear.
20 Nov 1902 End of Martial Law in Transvaal Colony: British administrators officially ended martial law in the Transvaal Colony, following their victory in the Second Boer War. This marked a significant transition in the governance of the former South African Republic and represented a key moment in British colonial administration.
21 Nov 1902 First Professional Night Football Game in History: On November 21, 1902, a groundbreaking moment in sports history occurred when the Philadelphia Athletics played the first-ever professional night football game against the Kanaweola Athletic Club from Elmira, New York. The game was a decisive victory for Philadelphia, who defeated their opponents with a commanding 39-0 score. This event marked a significant milestone in American football, demonstrating the potential for evening sporting events and expanding the accessibility of the sport to wider audiences.
22 Nov 1902 Birth of Philippe Leclerc de Hauteclocque: Philippe Leclerc de Hauteclocque was born on November 22, 1902, in France. He would become a renowned French military general who played a significant role during World War II, particularly in the Free French Forces and the liberation of France. His distinguished military career and resistance against Nazi occupation made him a national hero, serving under Charles de Gaulle and leading crucial military campaigns.
23 Nov 1902 Birth of Victor Jory: Victor Jory, a notable Canadian actor, was born in Dawson City, Yukon Territory on November 23, 1902. Jory would go on to become a prominent figure in Hollywood during the Golden Age of cinema, known for his versatile acting skills and appearances in numerous films across multiple genres.
24 Nov 1902 Uneventful Day in Global History: On November 24, 1902, no significant global events were documented. This day appears to have been relatively quiet across various regions, with no major political, social, or technological developments recorded in available historical archives.
25 Nov 1902 New Zealand House of Representatives Elections: The first round of voting was conducted for 76 out of 80 seats in the New Zealand House of Representatives. This democratic process represented a significant moment in the country's evolving political landscape, demonstrating the ongoing development of representative governance in New Zealand at the turn of the 20th century.
26 Nov 1902 Uneventful Day in 1902: While no specific major historical events were recorded on November 26, 1902, this day represents a typical moment in the early 20th century. During this period, the world was experiencing significant transformations in technology, politics, and social structures, though this particular date appears to have passed without remarkable incident.
27 Nov 1902 Nobel Prizes Established: Swedish industrialist and inventor Alfred Nobel signed his final will and testament, establishing the Nobel Prizes as annual awards to recognize outstanding achievements in physics, chemistry, medicine, literature, and peace. Through this groundbreaking philanthropic gesture, Nobel directed that the majority of his substantial wealth be used to create five prestigious international awards, each honoring individuals who have made the most significant contributions to humanity in their respective fields.
28 Nov 1902 Chile-Argentina Border Treaty Signed: On November 28, 1902, Chile and Argentina formally established their international border through a comprehensive treaty, resolving long-standing territorial disputes in the Andean region. This diplomatic agreement marked a significant milestone in peaceful boundary demarcation between the two South American nations, helping to stabilize regional relations and prevent potential conflicts over contested territories.
29 Nov 1902 Premiere of 'Der arme Heinrich' by Gerhart Hauptmann: On November 29, 1902, the play 'Der arme Heinrich' by renowned German dramatist Gerhart Hauptmann premiered in Vienna. Hauptmann, a Nobel Prize winner in Literature (1912), was known for his naturalistic and socially conscious works that often explored the struggles of working-class people. This particular play, based on a medieval poem by Hartmann von Aue, tells a story of suffering, sacrifice, and redemption.
30 Nov 1902 Venezuela Crisis of 1902-1903: A significant international diplomatic incident where Britain, Germany, and Italy imposed a naval blockade on Venezuela to compel the collection of outstanding financial claims. This event was pivotal in prompting the development of the Roosevelt Corollary to the Monroe Doctrine, which would later define U.S. interventionist policy in Latin America.