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Major Events of November 1911: 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 1911 and discover how they influenced the world both then and now.

history

Major Events of November 1911: Key Historical Moments from the Month

  • 01 Nov 1911 First Aerial Combat Bombing Mission: On November 1st, 1911, during the Italo-Turkish War, Second Lieutenant Giulio Gavotti of Italy conducted the world's first documented aerial bombing mission. Flying over Ain Zara in Libya, he dropped several small bombs from his aircraft, marking a pivotal moment in military aviation history that would fundamentally transform warfare strategies.
  • 02 Nov 1911 Birth of Nobel Laureate Odysseas Elytis: Odysseas Elytis, born as Odysseas Alepoudellis in Heraklion, Crete, was a renowned Greek poet who would later win the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1979. His poetic works significantly contributed to modern Greek literature and brought international recognition to Greek poetry.
  • 03 Nov 1911 Chinese Constitutional Reform: Prince Chun, serving as regent for the young Emperor, issued a landmark edict accepting the National Assembly's 19 fundamental points for a new Constitution. This action signaled a critical step towards modernizing China's governmental structure and introducing more representative governance.
  • 04 Nov 1911 Morocco–Congo Treaty between France and Germany: The Morocco–Congo Treaty, signed on November 4, 1911, effectively concluded the Agadir Crisis and reshaped colonial territories in Africa. The treaty resulted in Morocco becoming a French protectorate and Spanish colony, while Germany relinquished its claims. In compensation, Germany received portions of French Congo (expanding Kamerun) and ceded some of its Kamerun territory to France (including Chad).
  • 05 Nov 1911 First Transcontinental Airplane Flight Completed: Calbraith Rodgers successfully completed the first transcontinental airplane flight across the United States, arriving in Pasadena, California after a remarkable 49-day journey. Starting from Sheepshead Bay, New York on September 17, Rodgers covered 3,220 miles with 69 stops, marking a significant milestone in early aviation history.
  • 06 Nov 1911 Francisco Madero Becomes President of Mexico: Francisco I. Madero was officially sworn into office as the President of Mexico, marking a significant moment in the Mexican Revolution. His inauguration represented a pivotal transition of political power following years of authoritarian rule under Porfirio Díaz.
  • 07 Nov 1911 Marie Curie Wins Second Nobel Prize: Marie Curie was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry, becoming the first person to win Nobel Prizes in two different scientific categories. This historic achievement followed her 1903 Nobel Prize in Physics, which she shared with her husband Pierre Curie, highlighting her extraordinary scientific contributions.
  • 08 Nov 1911 Arthur Balfour Resigns as Conservative Party Leader: On November 8, 1911, Arthur Balfour stepped down as leader of the Conservative Party and Leader of the Opposition in the British House of Commons. His resignation was precipitated by the 'Balfour Must Go' (B.M.G.) campaign, which criticized his ineffective opposition to the Parliament Bill. This marked a significant moment of internal political turmoil within the British Conservative Party during the early 20th century.
  • 09 Nov 1911 Death of Howard Pyle, Renowned American Illustrator and Author: Howard Pyle, a pioneering American illustrator, author, and influential figure in the Golden Age of Illustration, passed away. Known for his exceptional storytelling through art and his significant contributions to children's literature and historical illustration, Pyle was a mentor to many notable artists and illustrators of his time. He was particularly famous for his vivid illustrations of pirates, historical scenes, and his influential work in books like 'The Merry Adventures of Robin Hood'.
  • 10 Nov 1911 Nanking Recaptured During Xinhai Revolution: The Imperial Chinese Army recaptures Nanking (modern-day Nanjing) during the tumultuous Xinhai Revolution, a significant period of political upheaval that would ultimately lead to the fall of the Qing Dynasty and establishment of the Republic of China.
  • 11 Nov 1911 The Great Blue Norther of 1911: On November 11, 1911, a powerful cold front swept through the U.S. Midwest, causing unprecedented meteorological chaos. The extreme weather event featured dramatic temperature swings, damaging winds, hail, sleet, rain, and snow. An F4 tornado struck Janesville, Wisconsin, resulting in 9 fatalities and 50 injuries. Survivors battled blizzard conditions while rescuing those trapped in tornado debris.
  • 12 Nov 1911 President Taft's Extended Absence from Washington: President William Howard Taft returned to the White House after an unprecedented 87-day absence from the nation's capital. This extended period away from Washington was unusual for a sitting president during the early 20th century, highlighting the evolving nature of presidential travel and communication during that era.
  • 13 Nov 1911 No Significant Historical Record for November 13, 1911: While no specific notable events were documented for this date, it represents a typical day during the early 20th century, a period marked by significant global transformations including technological advancements, colonial expansions, and emerging geopolitical tensions.
  • 14 Nov 1911 First Naval Aircraft Takeoff from Ship: Aviation pioneer Eugene Ely made history by performing the first successful takeoff from a ship's deck in Hampton Roads, Virginia. Using a Curtiss pusher aircraft, Ely launched from a makeshift platform on the light cruiser USS Birmingham, marking a pivotal moment in naval aviation and demonstrating the potential of aircraft in maritime operations.
  • 15 Nov 1911 Canadian Gold Coin Design Proclamation: The Canadian government officially proclaimed the design specifications for $5 and $10 gold coins, marking an important milestone in the nation's monetary history. This proclamation established standardized designs for these gold coins, which would play a significant role in Canada's emerging financial infrastructure during the early 20th century.
  • 16 Nov 1911 Albert Alonzo Ames, Mayor of Minneapolis Dies: Albert Alonzo Ames, a prominent political figure who served as Mayor of Minneapolis, passed away on this date. Born in 1842, Ames was a significant municipal leader during a transformative period in the city's history. His political career was marked by notable contributions to urban governance and civic development in late 19th and early 20th century Minneapolis.
  • 17 Nov 1911 Founding of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity: On November 17, 1911, the Omega Psi Phi fraternity was established at Howard University in Washington, D.C., marking a significant milestone in African American collegiate history. As the first Greek letter organization founded by Black students at a historically black college or university (HBCU), Omega Psi Phi represented a powerful symbol of academic brotherhood, community empowerment, and social advancement during the early 20th century. The fraternity was created by three Howard University students - Oscar James Cooper, Edgar Amos Love, and Frank Coleman - along with their faculty advisor, Ernest Everett Just, with the mission of promoting scholarship, leadership, and social service.
  • 18 Nov 1911 U.S. Navy Conducts Largest Fleet Review: On November 18, 1911, the U.S. Navy conducted its most extensive fleet review to date, with over 100 warships sailing on the Hudson River near New York City. Secretary of the Navy George von L. Meyer led this impressive display of naval power, showcasing America's growing maritime strength.
  • 19 Nov 1911 Britain's First Seaplane Takes Flight: On November 18, 1911, Britain achieved a groundbreaking moment in aviation history with the maiden flight of its first seaplane, signaling the country's emerging capabilities in aerial technology and maritime aviation.
  • 20 Nov 1911 Mahler's 'Das Lied von der Erde' Premieres: Gustav Mahler's groundbreaking symphonic song cycle 'Das Lied von der Erde' (Song of the Earth) receives its first public performance in Munich. Conducted by Bruno Walter, this innovative work blends elements of symphony and song, drawing inspiration from ancient Chinese poetry. The piece is a profound meditation on life, death, and the beauty of nature, composed during a deeply personal period of Mahler's life.
  • 21 Nov 1911 Amundsen Reaches Axel Heiberg Glacier Plateau: Norwegian explorer Roald Amundsen and his expedition team successfully navigated the challenging terrain of the Axel Heiberg Glacier, reaching its expansive plateau after an arduous four-day ascent. This milestone was a critical part of Amundsen's historic Antarctic expedition, which would ultimately lead to his successful conquest of the South Pole on December 14, 1911, becoming the first person to reach this geographic landmark.
  • 22 Nov 1911 Russian Imperial Invasion of Northern Iran: Russian imperial troops invaded Iran, strategically occupying Rasht, a significant port city located on the southern coast of the Caspian Sea. This military incursion was part of the broader geopolitical tensions between the Russian Empire and Iran during the early 20th century, reflecting the complex power dynamics and territorial ambitions of imperial powers in the region.
  • 23 Nov 1911 Deadly Railway Bridge Collapse in France: A catastrophic railway bridge collapse occurred near Montreuil-Bellay, France, resulting in a tragic accident that claimed 30 lives. The bridge gave way while carrying approximately 100 passengers, highlighting the critical infrastructure challenges and safety concerns of early 20th-century transportation systems.
  • 24 Nov 1911 Fatal Boiler Explosion at J. Bibby & Sons Oil Cake Mills: On November 24, 1911, a catastrophic boiler explosion occurred at the J. Bibby & Sons oil cake mills in Liverpool, resulting in a tragic loss of life. The industrial accident claimed the lives of 27 workers and left approximately 100 others injured. This devastating incident highlighted the significant safety risks present in industrial manufacturing facilities during the early 20th century, where workplace safety regulations were often inadequate.
  • 25 Nov 1911 Zapata Proclaims Plan de Ayala: Mexican revolutionary leader Emiliano Zapata officially proclaimed the Plan de Ayala, a pivotal political manifesto criticizing President Francisco I. Madero for failing to deliver meaningful land reforms and betraying the revolutionary ideals. This document became a crucial turning point in the Mexican Revolution, emphasizing land redistribution and indigenous rights.
  • 26 Nov 1911 Death of Komura Jutarō, Japanese Diplomat: Komura Jutarō, a prominent Japanese diplomat and Foreign Minister from 1901 to 1906, passed away at the age of 56 due to tuberculosis. Komura was a significant figure in early 20th-century Japanese diplomacy, playing a crucial role during the Russo-Japanese War and in negotiating international treaties that elevated Japan's global standing.
  • 27 Nov 1911 First Recorded Audience Vegetable Throwing in US Theater: On November 27, 1911, a theatrical performance in the United States experienced an unprecedented moment of audience dissatisfaction when spectators began throwing vegetables at actors on stage. This incident marked the first documented instance of such public theatrical protest in American entertainment history, reflecting the audience's strong disapproval of the performance.
  • 28 Nov 1911 Zapata Proclaims the Plan of Ayala: Emiliano Zapata, a prominent Mexican revolutionary leader, publicly proclaimed the Plan of Ayala, a revolutionary manifesto that challenged the government of President Francisco I. Madero. The plan demanded comprehensive land reform, redistribution of property to peasants, and restoration of indigenous community lands that had been seized by wealthy landowners. This document became a crucial ideological foundation for the agrarian revolution in Mexico, emphasizing social justice and land rights for rural communities.
  • 29 Nov 1911 Russian Ultimatum to Persia Demanding Dismissal of American Advisor: On November 29, 1911, the Russian Empire delivered a forceful diplomatic ultimatum to the Persian government, demanding the immediate dismissal of W. Morgan Shuster, an American financial advisor who was attempting to reform Persia's financial administration. The ultimatum gave Persia's government a strict 48-hour deadline to comply, threatening military intervention if they refused. This event highlighted the intense geopolitical competition between imperial powers in the region and the limitations of Persia's sovereignty during the early 20th century.