Major Events of November 1926: 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 1926 and discover how they influenced the world both then and now.

Major Events of November 1926: Key Historical Moments from the Month

01 Nov 1926 United States Air Commerce Act Enacted: The Air Commerce Act of 1926 was a landmark piece of legislation that established the first federal regulations for civil aviation in the United States. This act marked a critical moment in the development of commercial aviation, providing a framework for aircraft certification, pilot licensing, and establishing air navigation and safety standards.
02 Nov 1926 Uneventful Day in 1926: While no specific significant historical events were documented for November 2, 1926, this period was part of the interwar years between World War I and World War II. The mid-1920s were characterized by economic recovery, cultural shifts, and emerging political tensions in many parts of the world.
03 Nov 1926 15th Congress of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union: The 15th Party Congress of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union (CPSU) concludes, marking a significant moment in Soviet political history. During this congress, the first Five-Year Plan for national economic development was officially launched, setting ambitious industrialization and collectivization goals for the Soviet Union.
04 Nov 1926 Royal Wedding of Prince Leopold and Princess Astrid: On November 4, 1926, Prince Leopold of Belgium married Princess Astrid of Sweden in a grand ceremony held in Stockholm. The wedding was a significant royal event, with Stockholm's Mayor Carl Lindhagen officiating the proceedings. This union represented an important diplomatic and royal connection between the Belgian and Swedish royal families during the interwar period.
05 Nov 1926 British Coal Miners' Lockout Negotiations Resume: On November 5, 1926, critical negotiations reopened in Britain between the government and the Miners' Federation to resolve the prolonged coal miners' labor dispute. The talks represented a significant attempt to end the months-long industrial conflict that had been causing substantial economic and social disruption in the United Kingdom. The miners had been locked out by mine owners following wage disputes and disagreements about working conditions, reflecting the broader industrial tensions of the interwar period.
06 Nov 1926 Birth of Betsy Palmer: On November 6, 1926, Betsy Palmer was born in East Chicago, Indiana. She would later become a renowned American actress known for her work in television, film, and stage productions. Palmer gained particular recognition for her roles in various TV shows and her memorable performance in the horror film 'Friday the 13th'.
07 Nov 1926 Birth of Dame Joan Sutherland: Dame Joan Sutherland, a world-renowned Australian soprano, was born in Sydney, New South Wales. She would go on to become one of the most celebrated opera singers of the 20th century, known for her exceptional vocal range and technical brilliance in bel canto roles. Her international career transformed opera performance and she was widely regarded as 'La Stupenda' for her extraordinary vocal talents.
09 Nov 1926 Italian Fascist Regime Suppresses Political Opposition: On November 9, 1926, Benito Mussolini's fascist government enacted a sweeping law that effectively dismantled democratic processes in Italy. All opposition members of the Italian parliament were forcibly removed from their seats, stripping them of parliamentary immunity. This targeted action was particularly harsh on Socialists who had previously staged the Aventine Secession, a political protest against fascist violence. As part of this political crackdown, Antonio Gramsci, a prominent leader of the dissolved Communist Party of Italy, was arrested in Rome and imprisoned in the notorious Regina Coeli prison, marking a significant moment in the consolidation of fascist power.
10 Nov 1926 U.S. Numbered Highway System Established: The United States establishes its Numbered Highway System, including the iconic Route 66, which would become a symbol of American road travel and westward expansion.
11 Nov 1926 Balfour Declaration Approved at Imperial Conference: The 1926 Imperial Conference approves the Balfour Declaration, formally recognizing the equal status and independence of Commonwealth dominions, a pivotal moment in the evolution of the British Empire.
12 Nov 1926 British Coal Miners' Dispute Resolution: On November 12, 1926, a significant resolution was reached in the prolonged British coal miners' dispute. After months of tension, miners' leaders and the British government negotiated an agreement that effectively ended the labor conflict. The miners were compelled to accept the coal mine owners' terms, which notably included extending the workday from seven to eight hours. By this point, approximately 300,000 miners had already returned to work through localized settlement agreements, signaling the gradual breakdown of the collective resistance.
13 Nov 1926 Early Mary Poppins Story Publication: A short story featuring Mary Poppins appeared in The Christchurch Sun, marking the first published work about the character. Written by P. L. Travers, this story would later evolve into a beloved children's book series and eventually inspire the iconic 1964 Walt Disney musical film.
14 Nov 1926 Birth of Leonie Rysanek, Renowned Opera Soprano: Leonie Rysanek was born, a dramatic soprano who would become a celebrated performer at the Vienna and Munich State Operas between 1952 and 1954. Known for her powerful vocal range and dramatic interpretations, Rysanek would become one of the most distinguished opera singers of the mid-20th century.
15 Nov 1926 United States Numbered Highway System Established: The United States Numbered Highway System is officially established, introducing a standardized national road numbering system. This landmark development includes the creation of the iconic U.S. Route 66, which would become a symbol of American road travel and westward expansion.
16 Nov 1926 New York Rangers' Inaugural NHL Game: The New York Rangers played their first-ever professional hockey game, defeating the Montreal Maroons with a narrow 1-0 victory. This historic match marked the beginning of one of the most storied franchises in the National Hockey League (NHL), establishing the Rangers as a significant team in New York's sports history.
17 Nov 1926 Chicago Black Hawks Debut in NHL: The National Hockey League's Chicago Black Hawks (now Blackhawks) played their inaugural game, defeating the Toronto Saint Patricks 4-1 at the Chicago Coliseum. This match marked the beginning of one of the most storied franchises in NHL history, establishing the team's early competitive spirit.
18 Nov 1926 George Bernard Shaw's Nobel Prize Controversy: Renowned playwright George Bernard Shaw made a bold statement by refusing to accept the Nobel Prize money, criticizing the award's origins and expressing his complex views on Alfred Nobel's legacy.
19 Nov 1926 Birth of Jeane Kirkpatrick: Jeane Kirkpatrick was born in Duncan, Oklahoma. She would later become a prominent U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations during the Reagan administration, known for her influential foreign policy perspectives and strong anti-communist stance.
20 Nov 1926 British Empire Dominion Conference: The Balfour Declaration was officially announced at the Imperial Conference in London, marking a pivotal moment in the evolution of the British Empire. Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, and Newfoundland were granted significant autonomy as self-governing dominions, representing a major shift in colonial governance and setting the stage for future independence movements.
21 Nov 1926 Chiang Kai-shek's Declaration on Chinese Sovereignty: In a pivotal statement to the Associated Press, Nationalist leader Chiang Kai-shek articulated a bold vision for China's revolutionary struggle, emphasizing that the ongoing national transformation would continue until all unequal treaties with foreign powers were completely abolished. This declaration underscored the deep-seated desire for national self-determination and an end to colonial-era impositions that had long undermined Chinese territorial and economic independence.
22 Nov 1926 Balfour Declaration of Imperial Conference: The Imperial Conference of 1926 concluded, marking a pivotal moment in British imperial history. The conference produced the landmark Balfour Declaration, which fundamentally transformed the relationship between the United Kingdom and its dominions. By establishing the principle of equal status, the declaration recognized the autonomy of self-governing territories like Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, and others within the British Commonwealth. This diplomatic milestone represented a significant shift from a hierarchical colonial structure to a more collaborative, voluntary association of independent nations.
23 Nov 1926 Birth of Sathya Sai Baba: Sathya Sai Baba was born in Puttaparthi, Karnataka, India. He was a prominent spiritual leader and guru who claimed to be a divine incarnation, attracting millions of followers worldwide. Known for his teachings of love, compassion, and service to humanity, he established numerous educational institutions, hospitals, and humanitarian projects.
24 Nov 1926 Birth of Renowned Physicist Tsung-Dao Lee: Tsung-Dao Lee, a distinguished Chinese-American physicist who would later win the Nobel Prize, is born. Lee would become known for his groundbreaking work in particle physics and quantum mechanics, making significant contributions to scientific understanding in the mid-20th century.
25 Nov 1926 Devastating November Tornado Outbreak of 1926: On Thanksgiving Day, a catastrophic tornado outbreak struck the Midwestern United States, marking the deadliest November tornado event in U.S. history. Twenty-seven powerful twisters were reported, with the most destructive being an estimated F4 tornado that devastated Heber Springs, Arkansas. The outbreak resulted in 76 total deaths and over 400 injuries, with Arkansas suffering 51 fatalities alone. The extreme weather event caused widespread destruction and significant loss of life during the holiday season.
26 Nov 1926 Mass Arrest of Italian Communist Deputies: On November 26, 1926, the Italian government under Benito Mussolini's fascist regime arrested all Communist deputies, further consolidating political control and suppressing opposition.
27 Nov 1926 King Ferdinand of Romania Gravely Ill: King Ferdinand of Romania was reported to be in critical condition, causing significant political uncertainty. With the heir to the throne, Prince Michael, only five years old and Queen Marie still at sea, the potential for a succession crisis loomed large.
28 Nov 1926 Political Street Violence in Weimar Germany: A violent confrontation erupted in Germany between German Communists and Nazi Party members, along with Reichsbanner (Social Democratic paramilitary) members. The incident, which occurred following the death of Leonid Krasin, resulted in 13 people being injured and 60 individuals arrested, highlighting the intense political tensions and street-level conflicts characteristic of the Weimar Republic era.
29 Nov 1926 W. Somerset Maugham's 'The Constant Wife' Premieres in New York: The renowned playwright W. Somerset Maugham's sophisticated comedy 'The Constant Wife' made its debut on Broadway in New York City, showcasing the playwright's wit and social commentary on marriage and gender roles in the 1920s.
30 Nov 1926 British Coal Miners' Lockout Concludes: After a prolonged and challenging seven-month labor dispute, the final holdout regions of South Wales, Yorkshire, and Durham coal miners returned to work, marking the end of a significant industrial conflict in British labor history. The lockout represented a critical moment in the struggle between coal mine owners and workers over wages, working conditions, and the broader economic challenges facing the British mining industry in the mid-1920s.