Major Events of November 1920: 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 1920 and discover how they influenced the world both then and now.

Major Events of November 1920: Key Historical Moments from the Month

01 Nov 1920 Warren Harding Elected 29th US President: Warren G. Harding, a Republican senator from Ohio, was elected as the 29th President of the United States, succeeding Woodrow Wilson. His election marked a return to conservative governance after the progressive Wilson era.
02 Nov 1920 Ocoee Massacre: Racial Violence on Election Day: A horrific act of racial terrorism occurred in Ocoee, Florida, where white mobs launched a violent campaign to suppress Black voting rights. The massacre resulted in the deaths of dozens of Black citizens and the complete destruction of the local Black community, representing a dark moment in American electoral history.
03 Nov 1920 Ocoee Massacre: Racial Violence in Florida: A horrific racial massacre occurred in Ocoee, Florida, near Orlando, where the Ku Klux Klan systematically murdered African-Americans and burned their homes. After an initial killing of six Black residents, the violence escalated, with estimates suggesting 50 to 65 additional murders of Black residents in the town's northern section before dawn.
04 Nov 1920 Deutsche Bank's Post-War Financial Expansion: In the aftermath of World War One, Deutsche Bank demonstrated significant financial recovery and strategic growth. On November 4, 1920, the bank announced a substantial capital increase from 275 million to 400 million marks. As part of its expansion strategy, the bank planned to acquire three regional banks: Gothaer Privatbank, Hannoversche Bank, and Braunschweigische Bank, signaling the bank's robust economic positioning in post-war Germany.
05 Nov 1920 Jack Dempsey and Georges Carpentier Sign Contract for the Fight of the Century: At a press conference held in the crowded ballroom of the Hotel Claridge in New York City, world heavyweight boxing champion Jack Dempsey and world light heavyweight champion Georges Carpentier formally signed a contract to face each other in an eagerly-anticipated boxing match. This event was groundbreaking, as each fighter would receive an unprecedented sum of $500,000 (equivalent to $7.6 million in 2023). While the contract was signed on November 5, 1920, the actual bout was scheduled for July 2, 1921, in Jersey City, New Jersey, and would become one of the most significant sporting events of the early 20th century.
06 Nov 1920 Princeton-Harvard Football Dramatic Tie: In a thrilling college football match, the Princeton University Tigers, who were on track to claim the mythical national championship for 1920, experienced a dramatic last-minute tie against the Harvard Crimson. Despite leading 14-7 in the final minute, Princeton was unable to secure a victory as Harvard mounted a remarkable comeback to level the score at 14-14. This unexpected result was the only blemish on Princeton's otherwise perfect season of six wins and no losses.
07 Nov 1920 Soviet Final Offensive in Russian Civil War: Under the strategic leadership of General Mikhail Frunze, 135,000 Soviet troops launched a decisive 10-day military campaign to conclusively end the Southern Front of the Russian Civil War. The offensive aimed to decisively defeat the White Army and secure the Crimean peninsula, marking a pivotal moment in the consolidation of Bolshevik power.
08 Nov 1920 Major League Baseball Leadership Conflict: A significant meeting is scheduled for November 12th to potentially remove Ban Johnson from his leadership position in baseball, signaling internal power struggles within the sport's administrative structure during this era.
09 Nov 1920 Poland and Danzig Reach Crucial International Agreement: On November 9, 1920, representatives of Poland and the Free City of Danzig (now Gdańsk, Poland) signed a landmark diplomatic agreement that established a unique administrative arrangement. The treaty recognized Danzig's semi-autonomous status under the supervision of a League of Nations Commissioner, while simultaneously ensuring Poland's critical economic interests. As part of the agreement, Poland was granted free use and operational rights to the city's extensive railway infrastructure, waterways, and strategic seaports. This diplomatic compromise balanced the territorial complexities of the post-World War I era, providing economic access for Poland while preserving Danzig's distinct political identity.
10 Nov 1920 Rafael del Pino: Prominent Business Magnate: Rafael del Pino was a notable Spanish businessman and entrepreneur who emerged as one of the most affluent individuals of his era. During the early 20th century, he established significant business interests that contributed to his substantial wealth and economic influence. His financial success positioned him among the most prominent economic figures of his time.
11 Nov 1920 The Unknown Warrior Burial at Westminster Abbey: On Armistice Day, the Unknown Warrior was solemnly buried in Westminster Abbey, creating a powerful memorial to honor the unidentified soldiers who sacrificed their lives during World War I. This symbolic burial represented the collective grief and remembrance of a nation mourning its war dead.
12 Nov 1920 Treaty of Rapallo Between Italy and Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes: Italy and the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes signed the Treaty of Rapallo, a diplomatic agreement that defined their post-World War I territorial boundaries and diplomatic relations. This treaty was crucial in stabilizing the geopolitical landscape of the Adriatic region during a period of significant political reorganization.
13 Nov 1920 Hudson River Freezes in Albany: On an unusually cold day in November 1920, the Hudson River at Albany experienced a rare and remarkable freezing event. The river's surface solidified, creating a striking visual of ice covering the waterway, which was uncommon for this time of year. This phenomenon highlighted the extreme weather conditions that can occasionally grip the northeastern United States.
14 Nov 1920 Greek Parliamentary Elections: Greece held parliamentary elections to determine the composition of its 370-seat National Assembly. These elections were a critical moment in the country's democratic process, reflecting the political landscape and public sentiment in the early years following World War I.
15 Nov 1920 First Assembly of the League of Nations: The first assembly of the League of Nations was held in Geneva, Switzerland, marking a pivotal moment in international diplomacy after World War I. Forty-one nations were represented, signaling a global commitment to peaceful conflict resolution and international cooperation.
16 Nov 1920 Qantas Officially Registers as an Aerial Carrier: Qantas (Queensland and Northern Territory Aerial Services Limited), the national airline of Australia, officially registers as an aerial carrier, marking a significant milestone in Australian aviation history. Founded by pioneering aviators, the airline would go on to become one of the world's oldest and most respected airlines.
17 Nov 1920 United States Enters Prohibition Era: The 18th Amendment to the United States Constitution officially went into effect, marking the beginning of nationwide alcohol prohibition. This landmark legislation banned the production, transportation, and sale of alcoholic beverages, fundamentally transforming American social and legal landscapes. The prohibition era would dramatically impact crime, social behavior, and economic structures until its repeal in 1933.
18 Nov 1920 Latvia Declares Independence: On this significant day, the people of Latvia formally proclaimed their independence, establishing the Republic of Latvia as a sovereign nation. This momentous event marked the end of foreign rule and the beginning of Latvia's journey as a self-governing state, following the tumultuous period of World War I and the collapse of the Russian Empire.
20 Nov 1920 Woodrow Wilson Receives Nobel Peace Prize: US President Woodrow Wilson was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in recognition of his efforts to establish the League of Nations and his diplomatic initiatives aimed at preventing future global conflicts in the aftermath of World War I.
21 Nov 1920 Bloody Sunday during the Anglo-Irish War: A pivotal and tragic day in Irish history where tensions between Irish Republicans and British forces escalated dramatically. On November 21, 1920, the Irish Republican Army (IRA) launched coordinated assassinations of British Intelligence agents in Dublin, followed by brutal retaliation from British forces that resulted in civilian casualties.
22 Nov 1920 DuPont's Strategic Acquisition of General Motors: In a landmark business transaction on November 22, 1920, the DuPont chemical company strategically acquired a significant ownership stake in General Motors Corporation. This acquisition marked a pivotal moment in American industrial history, representing a powerful convergence of chemical manufacturing and automotive production. The move allowed DuPont to diversify its portfolio and gain substantial influence in the rapidly growing automotive industry, while providing General Motors with critical financial and technological resources.
25 Nov 1920 First Radio Set Advertisement: Telimco published the first-ever advertisement for a radio set in 'Scientific American' magazine, offering an $8.50 set capable of receiving signals up to one mile. This marked a significant moment in the early commercialization of radio technology.
26 Nov 1920 Red Army Surprise Attack on Makhnovshchina: During the Ukrainian War of Independence, the Red Army launched a strategic surprise attack against the Makhnovshchina, a revolutionary anarchist movement led by Nestor Makhno. This military operation was part of the broader conflict between the Bolsheviks and various Ukrainian independence movements, significantly impacting the region's political landscape.
28 Nov 1920 Kilmichael Ambush during Irish War of Independence: During the Irish War of Independence, the Irish Republican Army (IRA) conducted a significant ambush against British Auxiliaries near Macroom, County Cork. The ambush resulted in the death of seventeen British soldiers, marking a pivotal moment in the Irish struggle for independence and highlighting the guerrilla tactics employed by the IRA.
30 Nov 1920 France Restores Diplomatic Ties with Vatican: In a significant political and religious development, France's National Assembly voted 387 to 195 to renew diplomatic relations with the Vatican, ending a 47-year diplomatic estrangement. This vote marked a pivotal moment in the complex relationship between the French state and the Catholic Church, signaling a potential thaw in tensions that had existed since the early separation of church and state in France.