Major Events of November 1922: 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 1922 and discover how they influenced the world both then and now.

Major Events of November 1922: Key Historical Moments from the Month
- 01 Nov 1922 End of the Ottoman Sultanate: The Ottoman Empire comes to a historic end as the last sultan, Mehmed VI, is forced to abdicate, marking a pivotal moment in Turkish and world history. This event signifies the final dissolution of the centuries-old Ottoman imperial system and paves the way for the emergence of the modern Turkish Republic under Mustafa Kemal Atatürk.
- 02 Nov 1922 Qantas Launches First Passenger Flight: The Queensland and Northern Territory Aerial Service (Qantas) pilot Hudson Fysh made history by departing from Longreach, Queensland, in an Armstrong Whitworth F.K.8 biplane, transporting passenger Alexander Kennedy to Cloncurry in the first scheduled passenger flight.
- 03 Nov 1922 Hyperinflation in Weimar Germany: The German mark experienced extreme devaluation, reaching a record low of 6,156 marks to one U.S. dollar, highlighting the severe economic crisis in post-World War I Germany.
- 04 Nov 1922 Discovery of Tutankhamun's Tomb: In Egypt's Valley of the Kings, Howard Carter and his archaeological team uncover a stone stairway leading to an ancient tomb, with its original seals remarkably intact. This momentous discovery would prove to be one of the most significant archaeological finds of the 20th century.
- 05 Nov 1922 Demonstration for Dutch University in Ghent: On November 5, 1922, a significant demonstration took place in Ghent, Belgium, advocating for the establishment of a Dutch-language university in the city. This event was part of the broader linguistic and cultural tensions in Belgium during the early 20th century, reflecting the growing demand for educational institutions that represented the Dutch-speaking Flemish population.
- 06 Nov 1922 Establishment of the Irish Free State: King George V officially proclaimed the Irish Free State, marking a significant milestone in Irish independence and the transformation of Ireland's political status within the British Empire. This proclamation followed the Anglo-Irish Treaty of 1921 and represented a crucial step in Ireland's journey towards self-governance.
- 07 Nov 1922 1922 United States Midterm Elections: The Democratic Party made significant gains in the United States midterm elections, substantially reducing the Republican Party's majority in both the House of Representatives and the Senate. Republicans saw their House majority drop from 302-131 to 225-207, losing 77 seats, and their Senate lead narrowed from 60-36 to 53-42.
- 08 Nov 1922 Birth of Christiaan Barnard, Revolutionary Cardiac Surgeon: Christiaan Barnard, a South African surgeon who would later become world-famous for performing the first human-to-human heart transplant, was born. His pioneering work revolutionized cardiac medicine and surgical techniques.
- 09 Nov 1922 Albert Einstein Receives Nobel Prize in Physics: Albert Einstein was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics for his groundbreaking work on the photoelectric effect, a pivotal contribution that fundamentally transformed quantum theory. His research demonstrated that light behaves both as a wave and a particle, challenging classical physics and laying the groundwork for modern quantum mechanics. This revolutionary insight not only earned him scientific acclaim but also significantly advanced humanity's understanding of electromagnetic radiation and quantum phenomena.
- 10 Nov 1922 Execution of Erskine Childers during Irish Civil War: Irish Republican Army official Erskine Childers was captured by Irish Free State forces during the Irish Civil War. Following his capture, Childers was subjected to a military trial, found guilty, and subsequently executed by firing squad two weeks after his arrest, marking a significant moment of internal conflict in Ireland's struggle for independence.
- 11 Nov 1922 Louis Armstrong's First Recording Session: Louis Armstrong and his Hot Five began their first recording session at Okeh Records in Chicago, marking a pivotal moment in jazz history. This session would help launch Armstrong's legendary career and significantly influence the development of jazz music.
- 12 Nov 1922 Mussolini Granted Dictatorial Powers: On this pivotal day, the Italian parliament granted Benito Mussolini temporary dictatorial powers, a critical moment in his political ascension that would ultimately transform Italy into a fascist state. This legislative action marked the beginning of Mussolini's authoritarian regime and signaled a dramatic shift in Italian political governance.
- 13 Nov 1922 Harlem Renaissance Begins: The Harlem Renaissance, a pivotal cultural movement celebrating African American art, literature, music, and intellectual expression, officially commenced in Harlem, New York, marking a transformative period of cultural and artistic flourishing.
- 14 Nov 1922 BBC Launches First Radio Service in the United Kingdom: The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) officially commenced its pioneering radio service from Marconi House in London, marking a significant milestone in mass media communication. Broadcasting from station 2LO, this event represented the birth of public radio broadcasting in the United Kingdom, which would revolutionize information dissemination and entertainment.
- 15 Nov 1922 UK Conservative Party Secures Majority: The United Kingdom held a general election following the Conservatives' withdrawal from the coalition government. The Conservative Party won an overall majority, marking a significant political shift. Interestingly, the famous '1922 Committee' would be formally established the following year, despite popular belief that it was named from this election.
- 16 Nov 1922 Ottoman Sultan Seeks British Assistance: Sultan Mehmed VI of the Ottoman Empire requested military assistance from the British army, reflecting the declining power and instability of the Ottoman state in the aftermath of World War I.
- 17 Nov 1922 Ottoman Sultan's Exile Begins: Turkish Sultan Mehmed VI, the last ruler of the Ottoman Empire, is forced into exile, fleeing to Malta aboard a British warship, marking a pivotal moment in the dissolution of the Ottoman imperial system.
- 18 Nov 1922 Abdul Medjid Nominated as Caliph by Turkish National Assembly: On November 18, 1922, the Turkish National Assembly nominated Abdul Medjid as the Caliph, marking a significant moment in the transition of power following the dissolution of the Ottoman Empire. This event represented a critical juncture in Turkish political history, as the role of Caliph was being redefined in the emerging Republic of Turkey.
- 19 Nov 1922 First Female U.S. Senator Sworn In: Rebecca Felton of Georgia becomes the first woman United States Senator, taking the oath of office and breaking a significant gender barrier in American political representation.
- 21 Nov 1922 First Female US Senator Takes Office: Rebecca L. Felton from Georgia was sworn in as the first female United States Senator, marking a historic milestone in women's political representation. At 87 years old, she broke significant ground for women in American politics, serving briefly but symbolically important term.
- 22 Nov 1922 Discovery of Tutankhamun's Tomb: In a groundbreaking moment for Egyptology, Howard Carter, accompanied by his patron Lord Carnarvon, successfully opened the sealed tomb of the young Pharaoh Tutankhamun in the Valley of the Kings. This extraordinary archaeological discovery would revolutionize our understanding of ancient Egyptian culture and burial practices.
- 23 Nov 1922 NAACP Campaigns Against Lynching: The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) launched a powerful media campaign by publishing a full-page advertisement in the New York Times and other national newspapers. The advertisement was a strategic effort to generate public support for the Dyer Anti-Lynching Bill, which aimed to make lynching a federal crime and provide legal consequences for such racially motivated violence.
- 24 Nov 1922 Mussolini Granted Dictatorial Powers: On November 24, 1922, the Italian parliament granted Benito Mussolini temporary dictatorial powers for one year, marking a significant turning point in Italian political history. This decision effectively paved the way for Mussolini's rise to power and the eventual establishment of a fascist regime.
- 25 Nov 1922 Prince Hirohito Becomes Prince Regent of Japan: On November 25, 1922, Crown Prince Hirohito was officially appointed as prince-regent of Japan, marking a significant moment in the imperial succession and Japanese political history. This appointment signaled his increasing role in governance and preparation for eventual imperial leadership.
- 26 Nov 1922 Discovery of King Tutankhamun's Tomb Treasures: Howard Carter views inside a second doorway of King Tutankhamun's burial chamber in Egypt's Valley of the Kings, witnessing an extraordinary sight of glimmering gold artifacts. This moment represented one of the most significant archaeological discoveries of the 20th century.
- 27 Nov 1922 Uneventful Day in 1922: On November 27, 1922, no significant historical events were documented. This day appears to have been relatively quiet in terms of global or local historical developments, representing a typical day in the early interwar period between World War I and World War II.
- 28 Nov 1922 Greek Political Purge: Execution of Former Ministers: In the aftermath of political upheaval in Greece, six former ministers were sentenced to death, with five executions carried out. This event was part of a significant political transition and retribution following a period of governmental instability and potential perceived treason.
- 29 Nov 1922 Discovery of King Tutankhamun's Tomb: British archaeologist Howard Carter opened the sealed tomb of Pharaoh Tutankhamun in the Valley of the Kings, revealing one of the most significant archaeological discoveries of the 20th century. The tomb, discovered largely intact, provided unprecedented insights into ancient Egyptian royal burial practices and contained over 5,000 artifacts, including the famous golden death mask.
- 30 Nov 1922 Lynch's Controversial 'Enemy Murder Bill': On November 30, 1922, Liam Lynch, a prominent Irish Republican Army leader, issued a controversial order known as the 'Enemy Murder Bill', which declared that any members of the Provisional Parliament who voted against the government would be executed, highlighting the extreme tensions during the Irish Civil War.