Major Events of November 1905: 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 1905 and discover how they influenced the world both then and now.

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Major Events of November 1905: Key Historical Moments from the Month


  • 01 Nov 1905 Establishment of Russian Empire's Committee of Ministers: On November 1st, 1905, Tsar Nicholas II formally created the Committee of Ministers of the Russian Empire by imperial decree. This administrative body was established shortly after the October Manifesto, with the prominent statesman Sergei Witte appointed as its first chairman. The committee was designed to serve as a high-level advisory and coordinating organ in the imperial governance structure.
  • 02 Nov 1905 Charles Broadwick's Personal Loss Inspires Parachute Innovation: In a poignant moment of personal tragedy, the death of Charles Broadwick's wife became a pivotal turning point in aviation safety technology. Grief-stricken by his loss, Broadwick channeled his emotional pain into developing a more reliable and compact parachute pack design. This personal tragedy would ultimately contribute to significant advancements in aerial safety equipment, potentially saving countless lives in future aviation endeavors.
  • 03 Nov 1905 Russian Imperial Amnesty and Press Reform: Czar Nicholas II of Russia signed a significant imperial decree granting amnesty to political prisoners and initiating substantial reforms in press freedom. This landmark document marked a pivotal moment in late Imperial Russian governance, temporarily easing political tensions and signaling a potential shift towards more liberal policies during a period of social unrest.
  • 04 Nov 1905 November Manifesto: Finland's Path to Autonomy: The February Manifesto's oppressive legislation was interrupted by the November Manifesto, which marked a significant turning point for the Grand Principality of Finland under Russian imperial rule. The Tsar ordered the Senate of Finland to prepare a proposal for a new unicameral representative body with universal and equal suffrage, replacing the outdated Diet of the Estates.
  • 05 Nov 1905 Wright Brothers Protect Wright Flyer III Technology: Orville and Wilbur Wright dismantled their revolutionary Wright Flyer III airplane and placed it in storage to prevent competitors from learning its advanced technological design and innovations. This strategic move demonstrated their commitment to protecting their groundbreaking aviation intellectual property.
  • 06 Nov 1905 First Turbocharger Patent Granted to Alfred Büchi: On November 6, 1905, Swiss engineer Alfred Büchi was granted patent No. 1 for his groundbreaking invention of the turbocharger for internal combustion engines. This innovative technology would later revolutionize automotive and industrial engineering by significantly improving engine efficiency and power output. Büchi's patent marked a pivotal moment in mechanical engineering, laying the groundwork for future advancements in engine performance and energy utilization.
  • 07 Nov 1905 First Woman Elected to U.S. Congress: Jeannette Rankin of Montana made history by becoming the first woman elected to the U.S. House of Representatives. Her groundbreaking election was a crucial milestone in the women's suffrage movement, symbolizing the gradual expansion of women's political participation and representation in American democracy.
  • 08 Nov 1905 Attempted Poisoning of Swami Shastri Yagnapurushdas: On November 8, 1905, Swami Shastri Yagnapurushdas narrowly survived a poisoning attempt at the Vadtal temple in Gujarat, India. The incident involved several rival Swamis who allegedly conspired to eliminate him, highlighting the internal tensions and power struggles within the religious community at that time.
  • 09 Nov 1905 Japanese Imperial Intervention in Korea: Prime Minister Itō Hirobumi of Japan arrived in Korea with Imperial Japanese Army troops, forcefully demanding that Emperor Gojong submit to a treaty granting Japan control over Korea's foreign affairs, signaling a critical moment in Japanese colonial expansion.
  • 10 Nov 1905 Kronstadt Naval Revolt of 1905: On November 10, 1905, sailors stationed at the Kronstadt naval base near St. Petersburg initiated a significant rebellion against the Imperial Russian Navy's leadership and broader Tsarist regime. This revolt was part of the larger Russian Revolution of 1905, which challenged the autocratic rule of Tsar Nicholas II and demanded political reforms, better working conditions, and increased civil liberties.
  • 11 Nov 1905 Yellow Fever Eradication in Panama Canal Construction: In a groundbreaking medical and public health achievement, yellow fever was effectively eradicated among workers constructing the Panama Canal. This milestone was marked by the reporting of the last known death from the disease, which had previously decimated workforce efforts. Dr. William C. Gorgas, a pioneering U.S. Army physician, led the comprehensive sanitation and mosquito control campaign that made this success possible. By implementing rigorous mosquito elimination strategies, improving sanitation, and applying emerging scientific understanding of disease transmission, the medical team dramatically transformed the feasibility of the canal project.
  • 12 Nov 1905 Norway's Monarchy Referendum: On November 12-13, 1905, Norway held a historic referendum to decide its form of government, ultimately choosing a monarchy over a republican system. This pivotal democratic process solidified Norway's national identity and governance structure following its independence.
  • 13 Nov 1905 Norwegian Independence Referendum of 1905: A historic two-day referendum was held in Norway, marking a pivotal moment in the country's path to full independence. With an overwhelming majority of 79% of voters supporting the proposal, the Norwegian people democratically chose Prince Carl of Denmark to become their new monarch, effectively establishing Norway as a sovereign kingdom separate from Sweden.
  • 14 Nov 1905 Formation of Rolland-Pilain Automobile Company: On November 14, 1905, François Rolland and Émile Pilain established the Rolland-Pilain automobile manufacturing company in Tours, France. This automotive enterprise was part of the burgeoning early 20th-century French automotive industry, which was experiencing significant technological innovation and entrepreneurial spirit during the pioneering era of automobile production.
  • 15 Nov 1905 Korean Emperor Resists Japanese Imperial Pressure: Emperor Gojong of Korea courageously refused to sign a 'protection' treaty with the Japanese Empire. In response, Japanese Prime Minister Ito escalated tensions by ordering troops to surround the imperial palace and threatening the emperor's arrest, marking a critical moment in Korea's struggle against Japanese colonial ambitions.
  • 16 Nov 1905 Count Sergei Witte Becomes Premier of Russia: On November 16, 1905, Count Sergei Witte was appointed as the first Prime Minister of the Russian Empire during a critical period of political reform and social unrest following the 1905 Russian Revolution. Witte was a prominent statesman known for his economic reforms and efforts to modernize Russia.
  • 17 Nov 1905 Eulsa Treaty Signed Between Japan and Korea: The Japan–Korea Treaty of 1905, known historically as the 'Eulsa Treaty', was formally signed at Jungmyeongjeon Hall in Hanseong (Seoul). This treaty effectively stripped Korea of its diplomatic sovereignty and marked a critical moment in Japanese imperial expansion, transforming Korea into a protectorate of the Japanese Empire.
  • 18 Nov 1905 Prince Carl of Denmark Becomes King Haakon VII of Norway: Prince Carl of Denmark was unanimously approved by the Norwegian parliament to become King Haakon VII. In a historic moment, he sent a telegram to the Storting (Norwegian Parliament) accepting the throne and declaring that his son Alexander would be named Olav. This marked a significant transition in Norwegian royal history, with Haakon VII going on to reign for 52 years.
  • 19 Nov 1905 Tommy Dorsey's Early Life in Pennsylvania: Tommy Dorsey, a prominent American jazz trombonist, bandleader, and orchestra leader, was noted in his early years in Mahanoy, Pennsylvania. This period marked the beginning of his influential musical career, which would later include significant contributions to big band and swing music genres.
  • 20 Nov 1905 Norwegian Throne Succession Approved: On November 20, 1905, a delegation from Norway's parliament (Storting) traveled to Amalienborg Palace in Denmark to seek King Christian IX's approval for his grandson Prince Carl to ascend the Norwegian throne. Led by Storting president Carl Berner, the delegation successfully obtained royal consent, marking a pivotal moment in Norway's path to independence from Sweden.
  • 21 Nov 1905 Einstein's Mass-Energy Equivalence Paper Published: Albert Einstein published a groundbreaking scientific paper in the journal 'Annalen der Physik' revealing the fundamental relationship between energy and mass. This seminal work introduced the famous mass-energy equivalence formula E = mc², which would become one of the most important equations in physics, fundamentally transforming our understanding of energy, matter, and the nature of the universe.
  • 22 Nov 1905 Assassination of Lieutenant General Viktor Sakharov: Lieutenant General Viktor Sakharov, a prominent former Russian minister of war, was assassinated by Anastasia Bitsenko, a member of the Socialist Revolutionary Party. This political murder reflected the intense social and political tensions in Imperial Russia during the early 20th century, highlighting the growing revolutionary sentiment against military and governmental leadership.
  • 23 Nov 1905 Henry Watson Furness Appointed Haiti Minister: Dr. Henry Watson Furness, a physician from Indiana, was officially appointed as the diplomatic minister to Haiti on November 23, 1905. This appointment represented a significant moment in early 20th-century U.S. diplomatic relations with the Caribbean nation, highlighting the practice of selecting medical professionals for diplomatic roles during this era.
  • 24 Nov 1905 Birth of Irwin Allen, Influential Film Producer: Irwin Allen was born, a pioneering American film producer and director who would later become known for disaster films like 'The Poseidon Adventure' and 'The Towering Inferno'. His innovative storytelling and spectacular visual effects significantly influenced the entertainment industry during the 1960s and 1970s.
  • 25 Nov 1905 Prince Carl of Denmark Becomes King of Norway: Prince Carl of Denmark arrived in Norway to be crowned as King Haakon VII, marking a significant moment in Norwegian history. This event followed Norway's peaceful separation from Sweden and established a new constitutional monarchy. King Haakon VII would go on to become a beloved monarch who played a crucial role during Norway's resistance in World War II.
  • 26 Nov 1905 Deadly Train Collision in Lincoln, Massachusetts: A catastrophic train collision occurred in Lincoln, Massachusetts, resulting in a tragic loss of 17 lives and causing injuries to 33 people. This incident highlighted the significant safety challenges in early 20th-century rail transportation.
  • 27 Nov 1905 Mataafa Blow Storm on Lake Superior: The Mataafa Blow was a catastrophic maritime event that devastated Lake Superior on November 27-28, 1905. This powerful storm transformed the lake's waters into a treacherous environment, imperiling nearly 30 vessels, with most of the maritime disaster occurring west of the Keweenaw Peninsula. The storm's intense winds and massive waves created unprecedented maritime challenges, testing the resilience of ships and sailors alike.
  • 28 Nov 1905 Publication of 'The Protestant Ethic': Max Weber publishes 'Die Protestantische Ethik und der Geist des Kapitalismus', a seminal work in sociology that explores the relationship between religious beliefs and economic systems.
  • 29 Nov 1905 Limited Voting Rights in Early 20th Century: In 1905, the electoral system was highly restrictive, with only 17% of citizens of legal voting age permitted to vote for the Chambers of Commerce. This narrow franchise reflected the significant social and political inequalities of the time, where voting rights were typically reserved for wealthy, educated, and privileged classes, effectively excluding the majority of the population from meaningful political participation.
  • 30 Nov 1905 Michigan's Historic Football Dominance: The University of Michigan football team, under the legendary coaching of Fielding H. Yost, achieved an extraordinary feat by maintaining an unprecedented 56-game winning streak. During this remarkable period, the team demonstrated overwhelming superiority, outscoring their opponents by a staggering aggregate of 495 to 0. This era, often referred to as the 'Point-a-Minute' period, showcased Michigan's football program as one of the most dominant in early 20th-century collegiate athletics.