Major Events of November 1919: 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 1919 and discover how they influenced the world both then and now.

Major Events of November 1919: Key Historical Moments from the Month
- 01 Nov 1919 California Supports Women's Suffrage: The California State Senate unanimously voted in favor of the Nineteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution, a pivotal moment in the women's suffrage movement that would grant women the right to vote nationwide.
- 02 Nov 1919 Racial Violence during Red Summer: A horrific act of racial violence occurred when a white mob lynched African-American Paul Jones in Macon, Georgia, after falsely accusing him of attacking a local white woman. This incident was part of the broader 'Red Summer' of 1919, characterized by widespread racial tensions and violence against African Americans.
- 03 Nov 1919 Outbreak of Polish-Soviet War: The Polish-Soviet War commenced, marking a significant conflict between the newly independent Poland and Soviet Russia. This war was characterized by complex geopolitical tensions and tragic incidents, including the reported massacre of 35 Jewish residents in Pinsk, which highlighted the brutal nature of the conflict and the ethnic tensions of the period.
- 04 Nov 1919 Count Camillo Benso di Cavour Becomes Prime Minister of Piedmont-Sardinia: Count Camillo Benso di Cavour assumes the role of prime minister in Piedmont-Sardinia, a pivotal moment in the Italian unification process that would eventually lead to the creation of modern Italy.
- 05 Nov 1919 Maine Ratifies 19th Amendment, Advancing Women's Suffrage: On November 5, 1919, the Maine House of Representatives voted to ratify the 19th Amendment to the United States Constitution, becoming the 19th state to approve women's right to vote. This milestone was a critical step in the long-fought women's suffrage movement, which had been campaigning for decades to secure equal voting rights for women across the United States.
- 06 Nov 1919 Lack of Documented Historical Events - November 6, 1919: While no specific historical events have been definitively recorded for this date, it falls within the post-World War I period, a time of significant global political and social transformation. The year 1919 was marked by the Paris Peace Conference, the Treaty of Versailles, and widespread societal changes following the end of the Great War.
- 07 Nov 1919 First Palmer Raid Against Suspected Communists: On the second anniversary of the Russian Revolution, U.S. Attorney General A. Mitchell Palmer orchestrated a massive nationwide sweep targeting suspected communists and anarchists. Over 10,000 individuals were arrested across twenty-three different cities in a coordinated effort to suppress perceived radical political threats during the post-World War I Red Scare period.
- 08 Nov 1919 Establishment of Red Army Military Academy: On November 8, 1919, the Soviet government established the Military Academy for Commanding Officers of the Red Army in Petrograd (now St. Petersburg). This institution was crucial in professionalizing and standardizing military education during the early years of the Soviet state, training future military leadership for the emerging communist regime.
- 09 Nov 1919 Felix the Cat Makes Animated Debut: Felix the Cat first appeared in the animated short film 'Feline Follies', marking a significant milestone in animation history. This groundbreaking cartoon character would become one of the first globally recognized animated personalities, paving the way for future cartoon characters and animation techniques.
- 10 Nov 1919 Jacob Abrams Supreme Court Case: The Supreme Court of the United States upheld the conviction of Jacob Abrams for inciting resistance to the war effort against Soviet Russia, a significant moment in early 20th-century legal and political history.
- 11 Nov 1919 First Armistice Day Commemoration: President Woodrow Wilson officially declared November 11th as the first Armistice Day, delivering a powerful speech emphasizing the heroism of fallen soldiers and America's commitment to peace and justice.
- 12 Nov 1919 Ross and Keith Smith's Historic London to Australia Flight: Ross and Keith Smith embarked on a groundbreaking aviation journey from London to Australia, attempting to complete a month-long transcontinental flight. This expedition was a significant milestone in early aviation history, demonstrating the emerging potential of long-distance air travel and pushing the boundaries of technological capabilities in the post-World War I era.
- 13 Nov 1919 Red Army Victory in Voronezh Operation: During the Russian Civil War, the 8th and 13th Red Army units successfully pushed White Russian forces out of Voronezh, decisively concluding the Voronezh–Kastornoye military operation. This strategic victory significantly weakened the White Army's position in the central Russian region and demonstrated the Bolshevik Red Army's growing military effectiveness.
- 14 Nov 1919 Red Army Captures Omsk During Russian Civil War: The Bolshevik Red Army successfully captured the city of Omsk in Siberia, marking a significant strategic victory during the Russian Civil War. This event represented a crucial moment in the conflict between the Red Army and the White Russian forces, shifting the balance of power in the region.
- 15 Nov 1919 US Senate Invokes Cloture to End Filibuster on Versailles Treaty: In a significant parliamentary procedure, the United States Senate first used the cloture rule to end a prolonged debate (filibuster) regarding the Versailles Treaty, which was crucial to ending World War I and establishing the League of Nations. This marked an important moment in Senate procedural history, demonstrating a mechanism to limit extended discussions and move towards decisive action.
- 16 Nov 1919 Einstein's General Relativity Confirmed: Scientists Arthur Eddington and Andrew Crommelin officially confirmed Albert Einstein's groundbreaking general theory of relativity through observations made during a total solar eclipse on May 29, 1919. This scientific validation dramatically transformed our understanding of space, time, and gravity.
- 17 Nov 1919 Establishment of Armistice Day in the United Kingdom: King George V of the United Kingdom officially proclaimed Armistice Day, a memorial day to commemorate the end of World War I and honor those who sacrificed their lives during the conflict. The concept was originally proposed by Edward George Honey, a journalist and veteran who suggested a dedicated day of remembrance to honor the fallen soldiers. This day would later evolve into Remembrance Day, a significant annual commemoration marked by solemn ceremonies, moments of silence, and the wearing of red poppy pins.
- 18 Nov 1919 California Ratifies Women's Suffrage Amendment: California became the 18th state to ratify the Nineteenth Amendment, a pivotal moment in the women's suffrage movement. The California State Senate voted unanimously, while the State Assembly approved with a decisive 73-2 vote, signaling strong support for women's right to vote.
- 19 Nov 1919 US Senate Rejects Treaty of Versailles: The United States Senate voted against ratifying the Treaty of Versailles and joining the League of Nations, with 55 senators voting against and 39 voting in favor. This decision significantly impacted the post-World War I international diplomatic landscape and the United States' global engagement.
- 20 Nov 1919 California Ratifies Women's Right to Vote: California became the 18th state to ratify the 19th Amendment, with the State Senate voting unanimously and the State Assembly approving with a 73-2 vote, significantly advancing women's voting rights.
- 21 Nov 1919 Labor Organizer Murders in Bogalusa: On November 21, 1919, in Bogalusa, Louisiana, the district president of the American Federation of Labor and two other white men were fatally shot while attempting to support an African-American labor organizer who was working to unionize workers at the Great Southern Lumber Company. This incident underscores the racial and labor tensions prevalent in the Southern United States during this period.
- 22 Nov 1919 Supreme Economic Council Meeting in Rome: The Supreme Economic Council convened its 31st Meeting on November 22, 1919, at the Palazzo Corsini in Rome. The meeting was chaired by Sig. Dante Ferraris, likely discussing post-World War I economic reconstruction and international economic policies.
- 23 Nov 1919 Uneventful Day in 1919: While no major historical events were recorded for November 23, 1919, this period was part of the post-World War I era, characterized by significant global political and social transformations. The world was recovering from the devastating conflict, with the Treaty of Versailles having been signed earlier that year, reshaping international relations and setting the stage for future geopolitical developments.
- 24 Nov 1919 Lack of Documented Historical Events - November 24, 1919: While no specific historical events were found for this date, the year 1919 was a significant period of global transition following World War I. The post-war era was marked by political restructuring, social changes, and the emergence of new international dynamics.
- 25 Nov 1919 Uneventful Day in 1919: While no specific major historical events were recorded for November 25, 1919, this period was part of the post-World War I era, characterized by significant global political and social transformations. The world was recovering from the devastating conflict, with nations rebuilding and negotiating new international relationships through the Treaty of Versailles and the emerging League of Nations.
- 26 Nov 1919 Uneventful Day in 1919: While no specific major historical events were documented for November 26, 1919, this period was part of the post-World War I era, characterized by significant global political and social transformations. The world was recovering from the devastating conflict, with nations rebuilding and negotiating new international relationships through the Treaty of Versailles and the emerging League of Nations.
- 27 Nov 1919 Alfred Nobel's Last Will and Testament: Alfred Nobel signed his groundbreaking will, establishing the Nobel Prizes to recognize and support outstanding achievements in physics, chemistry, medicine, literature, and peace, creating one of the most prestigious international awards in human history.
- 28 Nov 1919 Lady Astor: First Female MP in British Parliament: Nancy Astor, a US-born British politician, was elected as the first woman to take a seat in the British House of Commons. Her election marked a significant milestone in women's political representation in the United Kingdom. While Countess Markiewicz was technically the first woman elected to Parliament in 1918, she was an Irish republican who refused to take her seat, making Astor the first woman to actually serve as a Member of Parliament.
- 29 Nov 1919 Woodrow Wilson's Presidency in 1919: Woodrow Wilson was serving as the 28th President of the United States during a critical period following World War I. His presidency was marked by significant international diplomacy, including his efforts to establish the League of Nations through the Treaty of Versailles.
- 30 Nov 1919 End of the Spanish Flu Pandemic: Health officials officially declared the global Spanish Flu pandemic has ended, marking a significant milestone in public health history. The pandemic, which began in 1918 and infected approximately one-third of the world's population, claimed an estimated 50 million lives worldwide, making it one of the deadliest pandemics in human history.