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Major Events of November 1945: 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 1945 and discover how they influenced the world both then and now.

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Major Events of November 1945: Key Historical Moments from the Month

  • 01 Nov 1945 British Intelligence Confirms Hitler's Marriage and Death: British intelligence officers officially announced the results of their investigation, confirming that Adolf Hitler and Eva Braun were married on April 29, 1945, and subsequently committed suicide in a Berlin bunker on April 30, 1945.
  • 03 Nov 1945 First African-American Federal Judge Sworn In: Irvin Charles Mollison made history by being sworn in as a U.S. Customs Court judge in New York City, becoming the pioneering first African-American to serve on the federal bench within the continental United States. This milestone represented a significant breakthrough in racial representation within the American judicial system during the mid-1940s.
  • 05 Nov 1945 Anti-Jewish Pogrom in Libya: A violent pogrom against the Jewish community begins in Libya, which was then under British Military Administration. Over the course of three days, 140 Jews will be murdered, with synagogues and homes systematically looted and destroyed, representing a horrific act of antisemitic violence.
  • 06 Nov 1945 William O'Dwyer Elected NYC Mayor: William O'Dwyer was elected Mayor of New York City, succeeding Fiorello La Guardia. O'Dwyer, a former district attorney, would go on to serve until 1950 and play a significant role in post-World War II New York City politics.
  • 07 Nov 1945 Mexico and South Africa Ratify UN Charter: Mexico and South Africa officially ratified the United Nations Charter, demonstrating their commitment to international cooperation and multilateral diplomacy in the aftermath of World War II.
  • 08 Nov 1945 British Ultimatum in Indonesia: British commander E.C. Mansergh issued a stern ultimatum to Indonesian forces, demanding they surrender their arms by 6 a.m. Saturday or face military retaliation. In response, President Sukarno of the unrecognized Indonesian Republic appealed to international leaders President Truman and Prime Minister Attlee to intervene and prevent potential bloodshed during the post-World War II colonial tensions.
  • 09 Nov 1945 End of Martial Law in Bulgaria: On November 9, 1945, martial law was officially lifted in Bulgaria, signaling the beginning of demobilization efforts following World War II. This event represented a significant step towards normalizing civilian life and transitioning from wartime to peacetime governance.
  • 10 Nov 1945 Liberation of Buchenwald Concentration Camp: US forces liberated the Nazi concentration camp at Buchenwald, revealing the horrific atrocities committed during the Holocaust and marking a significant moment in World War II's aftermath.
  • 11 Nov 1945 Daniel Ortega Becomes Political Leader in Nicaragua: Daniel Ortega Saavedra emerged as a prominent political figure in Nicaragua, later serving as President from 1984 to 1990, and again from 2007 to the present. A key leader of the Sandinista National Liberation Front (FSLN), Ortega played a significant role in Nicaragua's revolutionary and post-revolutionary political landscape.
  • 12 Nov 1945 Nobel Peace Prize Awarded to Cordell Hull: Cordell Hull, who served as U.S. Secretary of State from 1933 to 1944, was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his significant contributions to establishing the United Nations and his efforts in promoting international cooperation during World War II. Hull was recognized for his pivotal role in creating the framework for post-war international relations and multilateral diplomacy.
  • 13 Nov 1945 Charles De Gaulle Elected Head of French Provisional Government: On November 13, 1945, Charles De Gaulle was elected as the head of the French provisional government, marking a significant moment in post-World War II French political reconstruction. This event represented a crucial step in France's transition from wartime occupation to democratic governance, with De Gaulle playing a pivotal role in national recovery and political reorganization.
  • 14 Nov 1945 Sutan Sjahrir Appointed as First Prime Minister of Indonesia: On November 14, 1945, Sutan Sjahrir was appointed to form the first government of the newly independent Indonesia. This marked a critical moment in Indonesia's post-colonial transition, establishing leadership during the country's struggle for sovereignty after World War II.
  • 15 Nov 1945 Operation Paperclip: German Scientists Recruited: The United States controversially imports 88 German scientists to advance rocket technology, a strategic move that would later significantly contribute to the Space Race and Cold War technological competition.
  • 16 Nov 1945 Operation Paperclip Begins: The United States Army initiated Operation Paperclip, a secret program to recruit 88 German scientists and engineers to advance American rocket technology. This covert operation would significantly impact the United States' technological and space capabilities in the coming decades, particularly during the Cold War and Space Race.
  • 17 Nov 1945 Belsen Trial: Nazi War Criminals Sentenced: In a landmark post-World War II war crimes trial, Josef Kramer, Irma Grese, and nine other Nazi war criminals were sentenced to death by hanging for their heinous crimes committed during the Holocaust, specifically at the Bergen-Belsen concentration camp.
  • 18 Nov 1945 Wilhelm Gustloff Maritime Tragedy: During the final stages of World War II, the German passenger liner Wilhelm Gustloff was torpedoed by the Soviet submarine S-13 in the Baltic Sea near Danzig (now Gdańsk). The vessel was crowded with German civilians, military personnel, and refugees attempting to escape the advancing Soviet Red Army. The submarine attack resulted in one of the deadliest maritime disasters in history, with approximately 7,700 people losing their lives, including many women and children. The sinking highlighted the brutal and indiscriminate nature of warfare during the closing months of World War II.
  • 19 Nov 1945 MacArthur Initiates Trials of Japanese War Leaders: General Douglas MacArthur, Supreme Commander of the Allied Powers in post-war Japan, ordered the arrest of 11 prominent Japanese wartime leaders, including former Foreign Minister Yōsuke Matsuoka and General Sadao Araki. This action was a crucial step in the Allied effort to hold Japanese military and political leadership accountable for war crimes and aggressive actions during World War II, setting the stage for the subsequent Tokyo War Crimes Trials.
  • 20 Nov 1945 Nuremberg Trials Begin: The first war crimes trial opened at Nuremberg, Germany, with 22 high-ranking Nazi leaders facing prosecution for their roles in atrocities committed during World War II. This landmark event marked a pivotal moment in international law and justice, establishing precedents for holding individuals accountable for war crimes.
  • 21 Nov 1945 The United Auto Workers strike 92 General Motors plants in 50 cities to back up worker demands for a 30-percent raise.
  • 22 Nov 1945 End of World War II Food Rationing in US: U.S. Agriculture Secretary Clinton P. Anderson announced the termination of most food rationing, with sugar remaining the only controlled item. This marked a significant step towards post-war economic normalization.
  • 23 Nov 1945 Calcutta Anti-British Riots: British colonial police opened fire on anti-British rioters in Calcutta, resulting in a tragic loss of 37 lives. This violent incident highlighted the growing tensions and resistance against British colonial rule in India during the final stages of the independence movement.
  • 24 Nov 1945 Soviet Forces Encircle Berlin: Soviet military forces from the 1st Belorussian Front and the 1st Ukrainian Front successfully linked up, initiating the strategic encirclement of Berlin. This critical military maneuver was a decisive moment in the Soviet offensive, setting the stage for the final battle that would ultimately lead to the fall of Nazi Germany and the end of World War II in Europe.
  • 25 Nov 1945 MacArthur's Economic Reforms in Japan: General Douglas MacArthur issued a directive ordering the Japanese government to develop a comprehensive program to tax away all wartime profits accumulated by Japanese firms and individuals. This was a critical step in economic restructuring and accountability in post-war Japan.
  • 26 Nov 1945 Ezra Pound Indicted for Treason: U.S. Attorney General Tom C. Clark announced the second indictment of poet Ezra Pound on 19 counts of treason, specifically for accepting payments from Fascist Italy to make propaganda broadcasts during World War II.
  • 27 Nov 1945 Nuremberg Trials Continue: The Nuremberg Trials, a series of military tribunals prosecuting prominent members of the political, military, and economic leadership of Nazi Germany for war crimes, continued their proceedings. These trials were a landmark moment in international law and human rights.
  • 28 Nov 1945 ENIAC Computer Assembly Completed: The Electronic Numerical Integrator and Computer (ENIAC), the world's first general-purpose electronic computer, completed its assembly. Covering a substantial floor space, this groundbreaking machine represented a pivotal moment in computing history, running its first set of calculations and laying the foundation for modern digital technology.
  • 29 Nov 1945 Yugoslavia Abolishes Monarchy and Establishes Republic: On November 29, 1945, Yugoslavia officially abolished its monarchy and transitioned to a republican form of government. This marked a significant political transformation following World War II, signaling the end of the royal regime and the beginning of a new socialist era under the leadership of Josip Broz Tito.
  • 30 Nov 1945 Nuremberg Trials: Hess Confession: During the Nuremberg Trials, Rudolf Hess dramatically revealed to the tribunal that he had previously fabricated amnesia, successfully deceiving both Allied medical experts and his own medical professionals.