Major Events of November 1910: 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 1910 and discover how they influenced the world both then and now.

Major Events of November 1910: Key Historical Moments from the Month
- 01 Nov 1910 First Issue of 'The Crisis' Magazine Published: W.E.B. Du Bois publishes the inaugural issue of 'The Crisis', the official magazine of the NAACP, which would become a pivotal platform for African American intellectual and cultural discourse during the early 20th century.
- 02 Nov 1910 Military Unrest in the Young Portuguese Republic: In the early years following the establishment of the Portuguese Republic in 1910, military forces became increasingly discontented with their economic conditions. Specifically, soldiers and officers were frustrated by delays in promised pay raises, which led to tensions and potential threats of a military coup against the nascent republican government. This event highlighted the fragile political stability of Portugal during its transition from monarchy to republic.
- 03 Nov 1910 Establishment of Imperial Military Reserve Association in Japan: General Tanaka Giichi founded the Teikoku Zaigo Gunjinkai (Imperial Military Reserve Association), an organization designed to create a structured network for former Japanese Army members and civilian volunteers. This association aimed to maintain military readiness and provide a platform for veterans to remain connected to national defense strategies.
- 04 Nov 1910 Racial Lynching of Antonio Rodríguez in Texas: Antonio Rodríguez, a Mexican immigrant, was brutally executed by burning at the stake near Rocksprings, Texas, after being accused of murdering Mrs. Lem Henderson. This extrajudicial killing was a stark example of racial violence and mob justice prevalent in the early 20th century United States. The horrific execution sparked significant race riots in both Texas and Mexico, highlighting the deep racial tensions and systemic racism of the era.
- 05 Nov 1910 Portuguese Political Prisoner Amnesty: On November 5, 1910, following the recent Portuguese Republican Revolution that overthrew the monarchy, the new republican government implemented a significant criminal justice reform. The government granted a comprehensive amnesty to all political prisoners and reduced the sentences of other criminals by one-third, signaling a progressive approach to justice and a symbolic gesture of reconciliation in the aftermath of political upheaval.
- 06 Nov 1910 Campaign for Universal Suffrage in the Netherlands: The Social Democratic Workers' Party (SDAP) and the Dutch Trade Union Federation (NVV) launched a comprehensive campaign advocating for universal male and female voting rights, marking a significant moment in the Dutch democratic movement.
- 07 Nov 1910 First Commercial Airplane Cargo Flight: Wright Company pilot Philip Parmalee makes history by conducting the first commercial airplane flight, transporting two bolts of silk valued at $1,000 from Dayton to Columbus for the Morehouse-Martens Department Store, demonstrating the potential of air transportation for commercial trade.
- 08 Nov 1910 Washington State Women's Suffrage Amendment: Washington state's male electorate ratified Amendment 6 to the state constitution, granting women the right to vote. This historic amendment made Washington the fifth state in the United States to enfranchise women, representing a significant step forward in the women's rights movement.
- 09 Nov 1910 Conspiracy Against Emperor of Japan: In a significant legal proceeding on November 9, 1910, twenty-six individuals were convicted of plotting to assassinate the Emperor of Japan. This conspiracy trial highlighted the political tensions and potential threats to imperial authority during the early 20th century Meiji period. The case underscored the serious consequences for those who challenged the imperial system and demonstrated the government's commitment to protecting the monarch.
- 10 Nov 1910 First U.S. Conviction Using Fingerprint Evidence: In a landmark legal moment, a Chicago jury found Thomas Jennings guilty of murdering Clarence A. Hiller on September 19, marking the first criminal conviction in the United States based on fingerprint forensic evidence. This groundbreaking trial represented a significant advancement in forensic science and criminal investigation techniques.
- 11 Nov 1910 Diplomatic Recognition of the Portuguese Republic: On November 11, 1910, several major world powers, including the United States, Germany, Russia, Sweden, and Norway, officially extended diplomatic recognition to the newly established Republic of Portugal. This recognition came shortly after the successful revolution that overthrew the centuries-old Portuguese monarchy on October 5, 1910, marking a significant moment in Portugal's transition to a republican form of government.
- 12 Nov 1910 Marconi's Transatlantic Wireless Signal Breakthrough: Pioneering inventor Guglielmo Marconi achieved a groundbreaking technological milestone by successfully transmitting wireless signals between Nova Scotia and Italy, demonstrating the potential of long-distance wireless communication.
- 13 Nov 1910 Chinese Revolutionaries Plan Uprising in Malaya: Sun Yat-sen, a key figure in the Chinese revolutionary movement, convened a critical meeting with other Chinese exiles in Penang, Malaysia. During this gathering, they strategized the upcoming Huanghuagang Uprising, which was planned for April 27, 1911, and would serve as a precursor to the broader Chinese Revolution of 1911.
- 14 Nov 1910 First Airplane Takeoff from a Naval Vessel: On November 14, 1910, pioneering aviator Eugene Ely made history by performing the first successful airplane takeoff from a ship's deck. Using a Curtiss pusher aircraft, Ely launched from a specially constructed wooden platform on the USS Birmingham in Hampton Roads, Virginia. This groundbreaking event marked a significant milestone in naval aviation and demonstrated the potential of aircraft in maritime operations.
- 15 Nov 1910 Morocco Cedes Territory to Spain: In a diplomatic agreement, Morocco ceded the territory surrounding Melilla to Spain and committed to paying reparations following the Spanish military campaign against the Rif tribesmen. This event reflected the complex colonial dynamics of North Africa during the early 20th century.
- 16 Nov 1910 Spanish Conquest of Inca Empire: Spanish conquistador Francisco Pizarro captures Inca Emperor Atahualpa through a strategic and brutal ambush at Cajamarca in the Peruvian Andes. This pivotal moment marked a turning point in the Spanish conquest of the Inca Empire, effectively leading to the collapse of one of the most sophisticated indigenous civilizations in the Americas. Pizarro's tactics involved exploiting internal Inca political divisions and using superior military technology to overwhelm the indigenous forces.
- 18 Nov 1910 Black Friday Suffragette Protest in London: On November 18, 1910, hundreds of suffragettes marched to the British Parliament in London to campaign for women's voting rights. The peaceful demonstration was met with violent police suppression, with many protesters being physically beaten and arrested. The brutal response by law enforcement drew significant media attention, ultimately embarrassing the authorities and highlighting the struggle for women's suffrage. This event became known as 'Black Friday' and was a pivotal moment in the British women's rights movement.
- 19 Nov 1910 University of Illinois Football Team Finishes Perfect Season: The University of Illinois football team completed an extraordinary season by remaining unbeaten, untied, and unscored upon. They secured their final victory with a 3-0 win against Syracuse on November 19, 1910, demonstrating their defensive prowess and athletic excellence.
- 20 Nov 1910 Mexican Revolution Begins: Plan de San Luis Potosi: Francisco I. Madero issued the Plan de San Luis Potosi, a revolutionary manifesto denouncing President Porfirio Díaz and calling for an armed uprising to overthrow the Mexican government. This document marked the official start of the Mexican Revolution, a pivotal moment in Mexico's political transformation.
- 21 Nov 1910 Revolta da Chibata: Brazilian Naval Revolt of 1910: On November 21, 1910, Brazilian sailors aboard the powerful warships Minas Geraes, São Paulo, and Bahia launched a violent rebellion against systemic racial and social discrimination in the Brazilian Navy. The revolt, known as 'Revolta da Chibata' (Revolt of the Lash), was a significant protest against the brutal corporal punishment practices that disproportionately targeted Afro-Brazilian sailors, who were often former slaves or descendants of slaves. Led by João Cândido Felisberto, known as the 'Black Admiral', the sailors seized control of the ships and demanded an end to flogging and improved working conditions.
- 22 Nov 1910 Devastating Floods in Quảng Ngãi Province: A catastrophic flooding event in Quảng Ngãi Province, French Indochina (modern-day Vietnam), resulted in the tragic loss of over 1,000 lives. This natural disaster highlighted the region's vulnerability to extreme weather and environmental challenges during the early 20th century.
- 23 Nov 1910 Last Execution in Sweden: Johan Alfred Ander became the final person to be executed in Sweden, marking a significant moment in the country's judicial history. Convicted of murdering Victoria Hellsten during a robbery at a currency exchange, Ander was executed by guillotine, bringing an end to capital punishment in the nation.
- 24 Nov 1910 University of Pittsburgh Panthers Defeat Penn State in Football: On November 24, 1910, the University of Pittsburgh Panthers football team achieved a decisive 11-0 victory over Penn State, solidifying their early dominance in collegiate football. This historic match was particularly significant as it positioned Pitt as one of only two major college football programs at the time with an undefeated record against Penn State.
- 25 Nov 1910 First Corporate Tax Return Public Inspection Regulations: On November 25, 1910, President William Howard Taft introduced groundbreaking regulations that mandated public transparency for corporate tax returns filed with the United States government. This landmark decision represented a significant step towards financial accountability and public oversight of corporate financial activities during the Progressive Era.
- 26 Nov 1910 Tragic Factory Fire in Newark Claims 24 Lives: A devastating fire at the Wolf Muslin company factory in Newark, New Jersey, resulted in the deaths of 24 women and girls. This tragic incident underscored the dangerous working conditions and limited safety regulations for industrial workers during the early 1900s, particularly for female laborers.
- 27 Nov 1910 Pennsylvania Station Opens in New York City: On November 27, 1910, Pennsylvania Station (Penn Station) was inaugurated in New York City, marking a significant milestone in transportation infrastructure. Designed by McKim, Mead & White, the station was a monumental architectural achievement, featuring grand Beaux-Arts design with massive granite columns and an expansive waiting room with a soaring glass ceiling. At the time of its opening, it was celebrated as the world's largest railway terminal, symbolizing the technological and urban progress of early 20th-century America.
- 28 Nov 1910 U.S. Government Challenges Sugar Trust Monopoly: The U.S. Department of Justice initiated a significant antitrust lawsuit against the Sugar Trust, marking an important moment in the government's efforts to combat monopolistic business practices and promote fair economic competition during the Progressive Era.
- 29 Nov 1910 British Antarctic Expedition Departs: The historic British Antarctic Expedition, led by renowned polar explorer Robert Falcon Scott, departed from New Zealand aboard the Terra Nova. Notably, Norwegian explorer Roald Amundsen was also present, setting the stage for one of the most famous polar exploration competitions in history.
- 30 Nov 1910 Deadly U.S. Hunting Season of 1910: In the autumn of 1910, the United States experienced a particularly dangerous hunting season, with fatal accidents reaching an alarming milestone. A total of 113 hunting-related deaths were recorded, representing a significant 30% increase from the previous year. This spike in fatalities highlighted the urgent need for improved hunting safety regulations, hunter education, and stricter enforcement of hunting protocols to prevent accidental deaths.