Major Events of November 1928: 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 1928 and discover how they influenced the world both then and now.

Major Events of November 1928: Key Historical Moments from the Month

01 Nov 1928 Turkish Alphabet Reform: The Turkish government officially replaced the Arabic alphabet with the Latin alphabet, marking a significant linguistic and cultural transformation. This reform was part of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk's modernization efforts to align Turkey with Western nations and simplify written communication.
02 Nov 1928 Trial of José de León Toral for Assassination of Álvaro Obregón: The trial of José de León Toral, the assassin of Mexican president-elect Álvaro Obregón, opened in San Ángel. Toral, a devout Roman Catholic, testified that he believed he could 'save the church from its enemies and herself by ridding the country of the intellectual head of this terrible state of affairs.'
03 Nov 1928 Turkey's Alphabet Revolution: Under the leadership of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, Turkey officially transitioned from the Arabic script to the Latin (Roman) alphabet, marking a significant cultural and linguistic reform. This change was part of Atatürk's broader modernization efforts to align Turkey with Western nations and simplify literacy.
04 Nov 1928 1928 United States Presidential Election: Republican candidate Herbert Hoover won a decisive victory over Democratic nominee Alfred E. Smith in the 1928 U.S. presidential election, marking a significant moment in early 20th-century American political history.
05 Nov 1928 Devastating Mount Etna Eruption Destroys Sicilian Landscape: On November 5, 1928, Mount Etna, one of Europe's most active volcanoes, experienced a catastrophic lateral eruption that dramatically transformed the northeastern Sicilian landscape. A significant lateral fault opened midway up the volcano's northeast slope, triggering widespread destruction. The eruption obliterated critical infrastructure, including roads and a section of the historic Circumetnea railway track. Approximately 2,000 acres of centuries-old vineyards and prime agricultural land were completely consumed by molten lava. Most tragically, the entire village of Mascali was buried under volcanic rock, marking a devastating moment in the region's geological and human history.
06 Nov 1928 1928 US Presidential Election: Herbert Hoover's Decisive Victory: Herbert Hoover of the Republican Party was elected President of the United States, winning a landslide victory with 444 electoral votes against Democratic candidate Al Smith's 87 electoral votes. This election marked a significant moment in American political history, solidifying Republican dominance in the late 1920s.
07 Nov 1928 Herbert Hoover Elected President: Republican candidate Herbert Hoover won the 1928 United States presidential election, succeeding Calvin Coolidge. Hoover, a former Secretary of Commerce, campaigned on a platform of continued economic prosperity and technological advancement.
08 Nov 1928 Mickey Mouse's Debut: Walt Disney's iconic character Mickey Mouse made his first public appearance, marking a pivotal moment in animation history. This debut would go on to revolutionize the entertainment industry and become one of the most recognizable characters globally, symbolizing the emerging power of animated storytelling.
09 Nov 1928 Hoover's South American Goodwill Tour Announced: U.S. President Calvin Coolidge announced that president-elect Herbert Hoover would undertake a diplomatic goodwill tour of South America prior to his official inauguration. This tour was intended to strengthen inter-American relations and demonstrate the United States' commitment to regional diplomacy during a period of emerging international engagement.
10 Nov 1928 Enthronement of Emperor Hirohito: The official enthronement ceremony of Emperor Hirohito was held, marking the formal recognition of his imperial status. This ceremony took place approximately two years after he initially succeeded to the throne on December 26, 1926, following the death of Emperor Taishō. The event symbolized the transition of imperial power and the beginning of the Shōwa era in Japanese history.
11 Nov 1928 Great Black Blizzard of 1928: The first major dust storm of the Great Plains occurred, a precursor to the more severe Dust Bowl events of the 1930s. This environmental catastrophe signaled the beginning of severe ecological challenges in the American Midwest, caused by extensive agricultural practices and drought conditions.
12 Nov 1928 SS Vestris Maritime Disaster: The British steamship SS Vestris sank approximately 200 miles (320 km) off Hampton Roads, Virginia, in a tragic maritime incident. The vessel capsized during a severe storm, resulting in the deaths of at least 110 passengers, predominantly women and children who perished after abandoning the ship.
13 Nov 1928 Tragic Sinking of SS Vestris: On November 13, 1928, the British steamship SS Vestris encountered a catastrophic maritime disaster off the coast of Virginia during a severe storm. As the vessel began to list dangerously, the captain ordered passengers and crew to abandon ship, fearing imminent total submersion. The maritime tragedy resulted in a devastating loss of life, with official records confirming between 108 and 115 fatalities. The incident highlighted the perilous nature of maritime travel during the early 20th century and prompted subsequent improvements in maritime safety regulations and emergency response protocols.
14 Nov 1928 Shinwari Tribe Revolt in Afghanistan: The Shinwari tribe initiated a significant uprising by besieging Jalalabad, which marked the commencement of the Afghan Civil War (1928–1929). This revolt represented a critical moment of internal conflict in Afghanistan, challenging the existing political and social structures of the time.
15 Nov 1928 RNLI Mary Stanford Lifeboat Tragedy: On 15 November 1928, the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) lifeboat Mary Stanford capsized in Rye Harbour, resulting in the devastating loss of the entire 17-man crew. This maritime disaster is considered one of the most tragic events in RNLI history, highlighting the immense risks and sacrifices made by maritime rescue personnel.
16 Nov 1928 Record Trading Day on Wall Street: On November 16, 1928, Wall Street experienced an unprecedented trading volume, with approximately 6.6 million shares exchanged during the trading session. This high-volume day signaled the robust economic activity and growing investor confidence in the late 1920s, just before the infamous stock market crash of 1929.
17 Nov 1928 Notre Dame Football Streak Ends: Notre Dame's remarkable undefeated football streak came to an end when Carnegie-Mellon defeated them 27-7 on their home field. This marked the conclusion of a nearly 25-year period of dominance in college football.
18 Nov 1928 Steamboat Willie: A Landmark in Animation History: On November 18, 1928, Walt Disney and Ub Iwerks released the groundbreaking animated short 'Steamboat Willie', which is widely considered a pivotal moment in animation history. This cartoon was the first fully synchronized sound cartoon and marked the third appearance of Mickey and Minnie Mouse. Disney officially recognizes this date as Mickey Mouse's birthday, symbolizing the birth of one of the most iconic cartoon characters in global entertainment.
19 Nov 1928 First Issue of Time Magazine: The inaugural issue of Time magazine was published, featuring Japanese Emperor Hirohito on its cover. This marked a significant moment in print media history, establishing what would become one of the most influential news magazines globally.
20 Nov 1928 Steamboat Willie Premiere: Walt Disney's groundbreaking animated short 'Steamboat Willie' was released in New York, featuring Mickey Mouse and marking a pivotal moment in animation history with synchronized sound.
21 Nov 1928 King George V's Serious Illness: King George V became seriously ill with sepsis, a life-threatening condition caused by the body's extreme response to an infection. This medical emergency raised significant concerns about the monarch's health and potential succession implications.
22 Nov 1928 Premiere of Ravel's Bolero: On November 22, 1928, Maurice Ravel's iconic orchestral composition 'Bolero' was first performed publicly at the Paris Opéra. This groundbreaking musical piece, known for its hypnotic rhythm and gradual crescendo, would go on to become one of the most recognizable classical works of the 20th century.
23 Nov 1928 New York Stock Exchange Overwhelmed by Transaction Volume: On November 23, 1928, the New York Stock Exchange experienced an unprecedented operational challenge, forcing a temporary shutdown to process a massive backlog of 6.9 million transactions. This event highlighted the growing complexity and volume of financial trading during the late 1920s, just before the infamous stock market crash of 1929.
24 Nov 1928 SS Vestris Maritime Disaster: On November 24, 1928, the passenger liner SS Vestris encountered a catastrophic maritime emergency in the Atlantic Ocean, approximately 200 miles off the coast of Hampton Roads, Virginia. The vessel developed a severe starboard list, forcing passengers and crew to abandon ship before it ultimately sank. The tragedy resulted in a significant loss of life, with estimated fatalities ranging between 110 and 127 individuals. The disaster highlighted critical maritime safety concerns of the era and prompted subsequent improvements in maritime rescue protocols and ship design.
25 Nov 1928 Political Tension: Death of Trotsky's Secretary: In a dramatic act of political protest, Leon Trotsky's secretary died after undertaking a hunger strike. The secretary's death was allegedly in response to reported torture of Trotskyists, reflecting the intense political repression and ideological conflicts within the Soviet Union during the late 1920s. This event underscores the personal sacrifices made by political activists during a turbulent period in Soviet history.
26 Nov 1928 Death of German Admiral Reinhard Scheer: Reinhard Scheer, a prominent German naval commander who played a significant role in World War I, particularly in naval engagements like the Battle of Jutland, passed away at the age of 65. His death marked the end of an era for German naval leadership in the interwar period.
27 Nov 1928 Prince Edward's Urgent Return from Africa: Edward, Prince of Wales, abruptly terminated his African expedition and hastily returned to Britain due to concerns about King George V's deteriorating health. The sudden departure was accompanied by reports of significant casualties, with at least 100 deaths associated with the circumstances surrounding the royal family's medical crisis.
28 Nov 1928 Uneventful Day in 1928: While no significant historical events were recorded for November 28, 1928, this does not mean the day was entirely without merit. The late 1920s were a dynamic period of global transition, with ongoing social, economic, and technological changes shaping the world.
29 Nov 1928 Italian Labor System Restructuring: The Italian government announced significant reforms to the country's labor system, effectively dismantling the existing syndicalist hierarchy and fundamentally reshaping the organizational structure of worker representation and labor relations.
30 Nov 1928 Emilio Portes Gil Becomes President of Mexico: On November 30, 1928, Emilio Portes Gil was officially sworn in as the 41st President of Mexico, marking a significant moment in the country's post-revolutionary political landscape. His presidency came during a turbulent period following the assassination of President-elect Álvaro Obregón, and he served as a transitional leader who helped stabilize the political system.