previous year1909
1910191119121913191419151916191719181919
1920next year

Major Events of November 1918: 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 1918 and discover how they influenced the world both then and now.

history

Major Events of November 1918: Key Historical Moments from the Month

  • 01 Nov 1918 Italian Naval Operation in Pula: During World War I, on November 1, 1918, two brave officers of the Italian Regia Marina conducted a daring underwater operation in the Austro-Hungarian port of Pula. Using a manned torpedo, they successfully sank an enemy battleship, demonstrating exceptional naval tactics and courage in the final stages of the war.
  • 02 Nov 1918 World War I: Late Stage of Global Conflict: While no specific event is directly documented for November 2, 1918, this date falls during the critical final weeks of World War I. By this time, the Central Powers were on the verge of total defeat, with Germany facing imminent collapse and armistice negotiations underway. The war would officially end just nine days later on November 11, 1918, marking a pivotal moment in world history.
  • 03 Nov 1918 Austria-Hungary Enters Armistice with World War I Allies: Austria-Hungary officially enters an armistice with the World War I Allies, marking a critical moment in the dissolution of the Habsburg-ruled empire. This event signaled the end of a major European imperial power and reshaped the geopolitical landscape of Central Europe.
  • 04 Nov 1918 Revolutionary Sailors Seize Kiel: On November 4, 1918, revolutionary sailors took control of the strategic port city of Kiel, marking a pivotal moment in the German Revolution. This uprising was a critical turning point that would ultimately lead to the abdication of Kaiser Wilhelm II and the end of the German Empire.
  • 05 Nov 1918 German Armistice Negotiations Initiated in World War I: President Woodrow Wilson formally communicated to the German leadership that armistice discussions could commence, predicated on his renowned Fourteen Points diplomatic framework. Critically, Wilson stipulated that the actual armistice negotiations must be conducted through Marshal Ferdinand Foch, the Supreme Allied Commander, signaling the Allies' unified strategic approach to ending World War I.
  • 06 Nov 1918 Proclamation of the Second Polish Republic: On November 6, 1918, the Republic of Poland was officially proclaimed, marking a pivotal moment in Polish history as the nation emerged from decades of partition and foreign control. This event signaled the end of foreign domination and the rebirth of Poland as an independent state following World War I.
  • 07 Nov 1918 Influenza Epidemic Devastates Western Samoa: The 1918 influenza pandemic reaches Western Samoa, resulting in a catastrophic loss of life with 7,542 deaths, representing approximately 20% of the total population by year's end.
  • 08 Nov 1918 World War I Armistice Signed: Germany signs an armistice agreement with the Allies in Marshal Foch's railroad car in Compiègne Forest, France. The agreement is negotiated between 5:12 AM and 5:20 AM, with the terms becoming officially effective on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, marking the end of World War I.
  • 09 Nov 1918 German Revolution and Proclamation of the German Republic: On November 9, 1918, the German Empire formally came to an end during the German Revolution. Kaiser Wilhelm II abdicated, handed supreme command of the army to Paul von Hindenburg, and fled to the Netherlands. Philipp Scheidemann of the Social Democratic Party proclaimed the establishment of the German Republic from the balcony of the Reichstag building in Berlin. Prince Maximilian of Baden resigned as Chancellor and handed the office to Friedrich Ebert.
  • 10 Nov 1918 Armistice Communication Received: On November 10, 1918, the Western Union Cable Office in North Sydney, Nova Scotia received a top-secret coded message from Europe, revealing that all fighting would cease on land, sea, and in the air on November 11, 1918. This message was crucial in communicating the imminent end of World War I.
  • 11 Nov 1918 End of World War I: At 11:00 hours, World War I officially concludes with Germany, the last of the Central Powers, surrendering to the Allies, marking a pivotal moment in global history.
  • 12 Nov 1918 Dissolution of Austria-Hungary and Establishment of Austrian Republic: On November 12, 1918, Austria officially became a republic following the dissolution of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. A coup attempt by communist forces was swiftly defeated by the social-democratic Volkswehr (People's Defense), marking a critical moment in the transition of political power.
  • 13 Nov 1918 Allied Occupation of Constantinople: During the final stages of World War I, Allied troops successfully occupied Constantinople (modern-day Istanbul), the capital of the Ottoman Empire. This strategic military action marked a significant moment in the dissolution of the Ottoman Empire and the reshaping of geopolitical boundaries in the Middle East.
  • 14 Nov 1918 Establishment of Czechoslovakia: The Republic of Czechoslovakia was officially established with Tomáš Garrigue Masaryk as its first President, marking a significant moment in Central European history following the dissolution of the Austro-Hungarian Empire after World War I.
  • 15 Nov 1918 German Marne-Reims Offensive in World War I: On November 15, 1918, the German army launched its final offensive of World War I, known as the Marne-Reims Offensive. The attack involved 52 German divisions executing a two-pronged assault around Reims, France. The Allies, having anticipated the German movements, were strategically positioned to defend. On the eastern side of Reims, the French forces swiftly crushed the German attack. To the west, the U.S. 3rd Infantry Division successfully blocked the German advance, followed by a coordinated French and American counter-offensive that effectively neutralized the German offensive.
  • 16 Nov 1918 Establishment of Hungarian People's Republic: On November 16, 1918, in the aftermath of World War I and the collapse of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, the Hungarian People's Republic was proclaimed. This marked a significant political transformation, signaling the end of the centuries-old Habsburg monarchy and the emergence of a new democratic system in Hungary. The republic represented a pivotal moment in Hungarian history, reflecting the broader geopolitical changes sweeping across Central Europe following the war.
  • 17 Nov 1918 Communist Party of the Netherlands Founded: On November 17, 1918, the Social Democratic Party of Holland transformed into the Communist Party of Holland (CPH), reflecting the broader revolutionary socialist movements sweeping through Europe in the aftermath of World War I. This political transition occurred during a period of significant social and political upheaval, with many European socialist parties radicalizing in the wake of the Russian Revolution.
  • 18 Nov 1918 Belgian Troops Liberate Brussels: Belgian troops re-entered Brussels on November 18, 1918, reclaiming the city from German invaders who had occupied it since August 20, 1914. This liberation marked a significant moment of national pride and the restoration of Belgian territorial integrity at the end of World War I.
  • 19 Nov 1918 Establishment of the League of Nations: The League of Nations, the first worldwide intergovernmental organization whose principal mission was to maintain world peace, was formally established in the aftermath of World War I. This groundbreaking diplomatic institution represented a pivotal moment in international relations, aiming to prevent future global conflicts through collective security and diplomatic negotiations.
  • 20 Nov 1918 World War I Armistice Aftermath: In the days following the signing of the Armistice of Compiègne on November 11, 1918, which effectively ended World War I, European nations were in a state of transition and recovery. While no specific major event is documented for November 20, this period was characterized by demobilization of troops, initial peace negotiations, and the beginning of significant geopolitical restructuring in Europe.
  • 21 Nov 1918 German Naval Surrender: The British battleship Queen Elizabeth leads the surrendering German fleet, marking a symbolic conclusion to naval hostilities in World War I and representing the comprehensive defeat of the German Imperial Navy.
  • 22 Nov 1918 Józef Piłsudski Assumes Leadership of Poland: Józef Piłsudski becomes the first de facto leader of the newly independent Polish state, establishing himself as a powerful political figure who would play a crucial role in Poland's restoration as a sovereign nation after decades of partition.
  • 23 Nov 1918 Final German Monarch Abdicates: On November 23, 1918, Prince Günther Victor of Schwarzburg-Sondershausen abdicated his throne, marking the final abdication of German monarchs during the German Revolution. This event symbolized the dramatic political transformation of Germany following World War I, as the imperial system collapsed and a new republican order emerged, fundamentally reshaping the nation's political landscape.
  • 24 Nov 1918 French Minesweepers Lost in Lake Superior Storm: On November 24, 1918, two French minesweepers, the Inkerman and Cerisoles, were tragically lost during a severe storm on Lake Superior. The catastrophic maritime incident resulted in the complete disappearance of both vessels and the devastating loss of 78 crew members. This event occurred shortly after the end of World War I, highlighting the ongoing maritime risks even in the aftermath of the conflict.
  • 25 Nov 1918 Vojvodina Declares Independence from Austria-Hungary: On November 25, 1918, in the aftermath of World War I and the dissolution of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, the region of Vojvodina officially proclaimed its secession from Austria-Hungary. This historic moment marked a significant political transition, with Vojvodina choosing to join the Kingdom of Serbia, reflecting the broader geopolitical reshaping of southeastern Europe following the war.
  • 26 Nov 1918 Montenegrin Podgorica Assembly Votes for Union with Serbia: On November 26, 1918, the Podgorica Assembly, a pivotal political gathering in Montenegro, voted decisively to merge with the Kingdom of Serbia. This momentous decision marked a significant turning point in the political landscape of the Balkans, effectively ending Montenegro's independent status and paving the way for the formation of the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats, and Slovenes (later Yugoslavia).
  • 27 Nov 1918 German Republic Established After Imperial Collapse: On November 27, 1918, the German Kaiser's Imperial government dramatically collapsed, marking a pivotal moment in German history. A new republic was proclaimed, with Friedrich Ebert leading the provisional government. This event signaled the end of the imperial era and the beginning of the Weimar Republic, fundamentally transforming Germany's political landscape in the aftermath of World War I.
  • 28 Nov 1918 Emperor Wilhelm II Abdicates: On November 28, 1918, Emperor Wilhelm II of Prussia and Germany formally abdicated his throne in the aftermath of Germany's defeat in World War I. This momentous event marked the end of the German monarchy and paved the way for the establishment of the Weimar Republic.
  • 29 Nov 1918 Serbia Annexes Montenegro: Following the end of World War I, Serbia officially annexed Montenegro, marking a significant territorial and political consolidation in the Balkan region. This annexation was part of the broader geopolitical reorganization of southeastern Europe after the collapse of the Austro-Hungarian Empire.
  • 30 Nov 1918 Formation of Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes: The Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes was proclaimed, a crucial political development that would later evolve into the Kingdom of Yugoslavia. This marked a significant moment of South Slavic unification following World War I.