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Major Events of November 1917: 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 1917 and discover how they influenced the world both then and now.

history

Major Events of November 1917: Key Historical Moments from the Month

  • 01 Nov 1917 First US Combat Casualties in World War I: On this date, the first United States soldiers were killed in combat during World War I, marking a significant moment in American military history as the nation fully engaged in the European conflict.
  • 02 Nov 1917 October Revolution: The Bolshevik Party, led by Vladimir Lenin, successfully overthrows the Kerensky Provisional Government in Petrograd, marking the first successful socialist revolution in history.
  • 03 Nov 1917 United States Postal Service Rate Change: The United States Postal Service adjusted first-class mail postage rates to three cents per ounce, reflecting ongoing economic adjustments during the early 20th century.
  • 04 Nov 1917 Russian Revolution - October Revolution: On November 4, 1917 (October 22 in the Julian calendar), the Bolshevik Revolution was in full swing in Russia. Led by Vladimir Lenin, the Bolsheviks were in the process of overthrowing the Provisional Government and seizing power in Petrograd (St. Petersburg). This period marked a critical turning point in Russian and world history, setting the stage for the formation of the Soviet Union.
  • 05 Nov 1917 Lenin Calls for October Revolution: Vladimir Lenin issued a call for the October Revolution, a critical moment that would ultimately lead to the Bolsheviks seizing power in Russia and fundamentally transforming the country's political landscape.
  • 06 Nov 1917 October Revolution in Russia: The Bolsheviks, under the leadership of Vladimir Lenin and Leon Trotsky, successfully overthrow the Provisional Government, marking the beginning of the Soviet era and fundamentally reshaping global political dynamics.
  • 07 Nov 1917 Russian Revolution: Bolsheviks Overthrow Provisional Government: In Petrograd, Russia, Bolshevik leaders Vladimir Lenin and Leon Trotsky lead a revolutionary uprising, overthrowing the Provisional Government. This pivotal moment marks the beginning of communist rule in Russia, using the Julian calendar date of October 25 but occurring on November 7 in the Gregorian calendar.
  • 08 Nov 1917 Formation of First Communist Government in Russia: The second All-Russian Congress of Soviets approves the Council of People's Commissars, officially establishing the first Communist Government in Russia, marking a pivotal moment in the Russian Revolution.
  • 09 Nov 1917 Lenin's Decree on Peace: Vladimir Lenin published his groundbreaking Decree on Peace in the newspaper Izvestia, proposing an immediate withdrawal of Russia from World War I and signaling a radical shift in the country's international policy.
  • 10 Nov 1917 Second Battle of Passchendaele: A significant engagement during World War I, the Second Battle of Passchendaele took place in Westrozebeke, Belgium, representing another brutal chapter in the prolonged conflict on the Western Front.
  • 11 Nov 1917 Execution of Mutinous Riflemen During Russian Revolution: During the tumultuous period of the Russian Revolution, eight riflemen from a local garrison were executed after they refused to surrender their weapons. This incident highlighted the intense military tensions and the brutal suppression of resistance during the revolutionary upheaval. The execution demonstrated the Russian military's harsh approach to maintaining discipline and enforcing revolutionary directives.
  • 12 Nov 1917 October Revolution: Bolshevik Uprising in Russia: On November 12, 1917 (which was actually October 25 in the old Russian calendar), the Bolshevik Red Guards, led by Vladimir Lenin, seized key government buildings and strategic points in Petrograd (St. Petersburg), effectively overthrowing the Provisional Government. This pivotal moment marked the beginning of the communist revolution in Russia, which would fundamentally transform the country's political, social, and economic landscape.
  • 13 Nov 1917 First Battle of Monte Grappa during World War I: During World War I, the First Battle of Monte Grappa (also known as the First Battle of the Piave) began on November 13, 1917. In this significant engagement, the Austro-Hungarian Armed Forces, reinforced by German Alpenkorps and enjoying numerical superiority, launched an offensive against the Italian Army. Despite their advantages, the Austro-Hungarian forces were ultimately unsuccessful in their military campaign. The Italian Army, now under the leadership of the newly appointed Chief of Staff Armando Diaz, successfully defended their position and repelled the enemy's attack.
  • 14 Nov 1917 Battle of Ayun Kara: ANZAC Mounted Division's Engagement: On November 14, 1917, during World War I, the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) Mounted Division participated in the Battle of Ayun Kara, a significant military engagement in the Sinai and Palestine Campaign. This battle was part of the broader British effort to push Ottoman forces out of the region and secure strategic control of the Middle Eastern theater. The ANZAC cavalry units demonstrated remarkable mobility and tactical skill, contributing to the Allied forces' eventual success in the campaign.
  • 15 Nov 1917 Bolshevik Declaration of Rights of Peoples: During the October Revolution, Vladimir Lenin signed the Declaration of the Rights of the Peoples of Russia, a landmark document that promised ethnic minorities within the Russian Empire the right to self-determination. This declaration was a significant ideological statement of the Bolshevik government's commitment to national autonomy.
  • 16 Nov 1917 Wilson's Wartime Restrictions on German Nationals: President Woodrow Wilson issued a comprehensive proclamation establishing strict movement and regulatory controls for non-naturalized males of German descent aged 14 and older. These measures were implemented as a national security precaution during World War I, reflecting the heightened tensions and potential fears of enemy sympathizers within the United States.
  • 17 Nov 1917 Lenin Restricts Press Freedom: Vladimir Lenin defended the Bolshevik government's decision to temporarily suspend freedom of the press, a critical moment in the Russian Revolution that signaled the emerging authoritarian nature of the new communist regime. This action was part of broader efforts to consolidate political control and suppress opposition voices.
  • 18 Nov 1917 Battle of Nebi Samwil during World War I: The British 21st Corps launched a strategic attack on Ottoman defense positions near Nebi Samwil, a significant location northwest of Jerusalem. This battle was part of the broader British campaign in Palestine during World War I, aimed at pushing back Ottoman forces and ultimately capturing Jerusalem.
  • 19 Nov 1917 Battle of Caporetto: A Pivotal World War I Conflict: The Battle of Caporetto was a significant engagement during World War I, fought between Austro-Hungarian and German forces against Italian troops. This intense 27-day battle resulted in a decisive defeat for the Italian Army, forcing them to retreat and establish a new defensive line along the strategically important Piave River. The battle demonstrated the effectiveness of German stormtrooper tactics and caused a major crisis in the Italian military and political leadership.
  • 20 Nov 1917 First Mass Tank Attack in Military History: The British 3rd Army launched a groundbreaking military operation, deploying 381 tanks alongside six infantry divisions in a coordinated assault on German trenches near Cambrai, France. This innovative attack marked a pivotal moment in warfare, demonstrating the potential of mechanized armored warfare.
  • 21 Nov 1917 First Successful Tank Deployment in Modern Warfare: At the Battle of Cambrai during World War I, tanks were used successfully in combat for the first time, representing a revolutionary moment in military technology and tactics. This breakthrough would fundamentally transform warfare strategies in the 20th century.
  • 22 Nov 1917 Battle of Nebi Samwil during World War I: British and Ottoman forces engaged in intense combat at the village of El Jib in Palestine, representing a significant military engagement during the Middle Eastern theater of World War I. The battle highlighted the strategic importance of the region during the conflict.
  • 23 Nov 1917 Battle of Cambrai: British Tank Offensive: During World War I, the British 40th Division launched a significant military operation at Cambrai, employing an innovative strategy of using 100 tanks supported by 430 artillery guns. Despite their advanced tactics, the British forces were unable to successfully capture the entrenched German defensive positions on Bourlon Ridge.
  • 24 Nov 1917 Battle of Jerusalem - New Zealand Mounted Rifles Brigade: During World War I, on November 24, 1917, the New Zealand Mounted Rifles Brigade played a significant role in the Battle of Jerusalem, a critical engagement in the Middle Eastern theater of the war. This battle was part of the British campaign to capture Jerusalem from Ottoman control, marking an important strategic moment in the conflict.
  • 25 Nov 1917 Battle of Jerusalem - Ottoman Counteroffensive: In a significant engagement during World War I, Ottoman forces successfully pushed British troops back across the Nahr el Auja River during the Battle of Jerusalem, demonstrating the strategic resilience of Ottoman military forces in the Middle Eastern theater.
  • 26 Nov 1917 Sykes-Picot Agreement Revealed: The Manchester Guardian publishes details of the 1916 secret Sykes-Picot Agreement between the United Kingdom and France, exposing the proposed partition of Ottoman territories in the Middle East after World War I. This diplomatic document would have profound implications for the region's geopolitical landscape, revealing the colonial powers' intentions to divide the Arab territories.
  • 27 Nov 1917 Battle of Cambrai: British Military Engagement: The British 62nd Division participated in the Battle of Cambrai, a significant World War I engagement that marked an important moment in military tactics, particularly in the use of tanks in coordinated battlefield operations.
  • 28 Nov 1917 Bolsheviks Propose Peace Terms: Following the Russian Revolution, the Bolshevik leadership offers peace terms to Germany, signaling their intent to withdraw from World War I and prioritize internal revolutionary objectives.
  • 29 Nov 1917 Annie Besant Leads Indian National Congress: Annie Besant, a prominent British socialist, theosophist, and political activist, was elected as the president of the Indian National Congress. Her leadership represented an important moment in India's struggle for independence and highlighted the growing international solidarity in anti-colonial movements.
  • 30 Nov 1917 Battle of Cambrai - German Counteroffensive: On November 30, 1917, during World War I, the German Second Army, commanded by General Georg von der Marwitz, launched a strategic counterattack against the British forces at Cambrai. Deploying 20 divisions, the Germans targeted the flanks of the salient created by the previous British advance. The German offensive initially broke through British defenses in the southern sector, creating a significant threat. However, the British successfully defended their position through two critical counteractions: first, an exceptional defensive maneuver by the Guards Division, and subsequently, a decisive tank brigade counterattack that ultimately prevented a potential military disaster. This battle highlighted the evolving nature of mechanized warfare and the importance of rapid, coordinated defensive strategies.