Major Events of November 1975: 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 1975 and discover how they influenced the world both then and now.

Major Events of November 1975: Key Historical Moments from the Month

02 Nov 1975 Arson at Royal Pavilion in Brighton: An arsonist deliberately set fire to the Royal Pavilion, a historic and iconic architectural landmark in Brighton, England. The Royal Pavilion, known for its distinctive Indo-Saracenic architectural style and originally built as a royal residence for King George IV, was a significant tourist attraction at the time. The fire caused damage to this culturally important building, raising concerns about heritage preservation and public safety.
03 Nov 1975 Assassination of Four Bangladeshi National Leaders: Four prominent Bangladeshi political leaders—Syed Nazrul Islam, Tajuddin Ahmad, Muhammad Mansur Ali, and Abul Hasnat Muhammad Qamaruzzaman—were assassinated by army personnel at Dhaka Central Jail. These killings were orchestrated by the same group responsible for the earlier assassination of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, reflecting the intense political instability in Bangladesh during this period.
04 Nov 1975 Castro Sends Troops to Angola: Cuban leader Fidel Castro dispatched 650 troops to Angola to support the Marxist MPLA government in its ongoing conflict against UNITA and South African forces. This military intervention was a significant moment in Cold War-era geopolitics, demonstrating Cuba's commitment to supporting socialist movements in Africa.
05 Nov 1975 Sex Pistols Launch Punk Rock in the UK: The Sex Pistols gave their groundbreaking first public concert at the 100 Club in London, introducing punk rock to the United Kingdom. Led by iconic frontman John Lydon (Johnny Rotten), the band's performance marked a pivotal moment in music history, challenging established musical norms and sparking a cultural revolution.
06 Nov 1975 Sex Pistols' First Concert: The legendary punk rock band Sex Pistols made their debut performance at St. Martin's School of Art in London, marking the beginning of a musical revolution that would dramatically influence British punk culture and global rock music.
07 Nov 1975 Bangladeshi Coup d'État of 1975: A significant political upheaval in Bangladesh where left-wing soldiers of the Biplobi Shainik Sangstha (BSS), led by Colonel Abu Taher, launched a revolutionary coup. The uprising resulted in the death of Brigadier General Khaled Mosharraf and several other military officers, and critically, freed Major Ziaur Rahman from house arrest, enabling him to later become president.
08 Nov 1975 Soviet Frigate Storozhevoy Mutiny: On November 8, 1975, a dramatic mutiny occurred aboard the Soviet frigate Storozhevoy. Second-in-command Valery Sablin locked up Captain Anatoly Putorny and seized control of the vessel. This failed rebellion would later inspire Tom Clancy's best-selling novel and subsequent film, 'The Hunt for Red October', highlighting the tensions within the Soviet military during the Cold War era.
09 Nov 1975 Soviet Naval Mutiny on the Storozhevoy Frigate: On November 9, 1975, a dramatic mutiny occurred aboard the Soviet frigate Storozhevoy when the second-in-command, Valery Sablin, staged a rebellion against the ship's leadership. Sablin locked up Captain Anatoly Putorny and seized control of the vessel, intending to sail to Leningrad and broadcast a message criticizing the corruption and stagnation within the Soviet system. This bold act of defiance against Soviet naval hierarchy was a rare and significant moment of internal dissent during the Cold War era.
10 Nov 1975 UN Resolution 3379 on Zionism: The United Nations General Assembly passes controversial Resolution 3379, which controversially defines Zionism as a form of racism, a resolution later repealed in 1991.
11 Nov 1975 Australian Constitutional Crisis of 1975: On November 11, 1975, in an unprecedented political event, Australian Governor-General Sir John Kerr dismissed the democratically elected government of Prime Minister Gough Whitlam. Kerr commissioned Malcolm Fraser as caretaker Prime Minister and announced a general election to be held in early December, marking a dramatic moment in Australian political history that challenged constitutional norms and sparked significant national debate.
12 Nov 1975 Supreme Court Justice William O. Douglas Retires: William O. Douglas, one of the longest-serving justices in U.S. Supreme Court history, retired after an extraordinary 36-year tenure. His retirement marked the end of a significant judicial career that spanned multiple decades and profoundly influenced American constitutional law.
13 Nov 1975 A Musical Jubilee Broadway Revue: A star-studded musical revue titled 'A Musical Jubilee' opened at the St. James Theater in New York City, featuring an impressive ensemble of renowned performers including Lillian Gish, John Raitt, Tammy Grimes, Cyril Ritchard, and Dick Shawn. Created by Marilyn Clark and Charles Burr, the production ran for 92 performances, showcasing the vibrant theatrical landscape of mid-1970s Broadway.
14 Nov 1975 Madrid Accords: Spain's Decolonization of Western Sahara: On November 14, 1975, Spain, Morocco, and Mauritania signed a pivotal accord regarding the future of Spanish Sahara (Western Sahara), effectively ending Spanish colonial presence in the region. This agreement marked a significant moment in the decolonization process of North Africa, transferring administrative control of the territory to Morocco and Mauritania.
15 Nov 1975 Group of Six (G6) Industrialized Nations Formed: The Group of Six (G6) industrialized nations was established, marking a significant milestone in international economic cooperation. This group would later evolve into the G7 and G20, becoming a crucial forum for global economic policy discussions.
16 Nov 1975 Death of Francisco Franco and End of Spanish Dictatorship: Spanish dictator Francisco Franco passed away in Madrid, marking the definitive end of his authoritarian regime that had been established following the Spanish Civil War. His death signaled the beginning of Spain's critical transition to democracy, a pivotal moment in modern Spanish history.
17 Nov 1975 Birth of Diane Neal, American Actress: Diane Neal was born on November 17, 1975, in Norfolk, Virginia. She would later become known for her prominent role as Assistant United States Attorney Casey Novak on the long-running television series 'Law & Order: Special Victims Unit' (2003-2007). Neal has also appeared in various films and television shows, and later pursued a career in politics.
18 Nov 1975 Eldridge Cleaver Returns to United States: Black Panther Party leader Eldridge Cleaver, a prominent political activist and writer, returned to the United States after years of self-imposed exile. Cleaver had previously fled the country to avoid legal prosecution and had been living abroad, primarily in Algeria and France, where he continued to be a vocal political commentator and revolutionary thinker.
19 Nov 1975 Release of 'One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest': The critically acclaimed film adaptation of Ken Kesey's novel was released, directed by Miloš Forman and starring Jack Nicholson and Louise Fletcher. The movie would go on to win five Academy Awards, including Best Picture, and is considered a landmark film in American cinema.
20 Nov 1975 Death of Francisco Franco: General Francisco Franco, the long-standing dictator of Spain, passed away in Madrid at the age of 82. His death marked the end of an era of authoritarian rule that had dominated Spanish politics since the Spanish Civil War.
21 Nov 1975 Linda McCartney drug charges in US are dropped
22 Nov 1975 Juan Carlos Becomes King of Spain: Juan Carlos I was officially proclaimed King of Spain following the death of General Francisco Franco, marking the end of Franco's authoritarian regime and the beginning of Spain's transition to democracy. This moment represented a critical turning point in Spanish political history, as Juan Carlos played a pivotal role in guiding the country towards constitutional monarchy and democratic governance.
23 Nov 1975 Death of Francisco Franco: Spanish dictator Francisco Franco's funeral was held in Madrid, marking the end of his 36-year authoritarian regime. This event signaled a critical turning point in Spanish history, paving the way for democratic transition.
24 Nov 1975 Assassination of Antonio Echeverria: Basque terrorists assassinated Antonio Echeverria, the mayor of the Spanish city of Oyarzun, at his home during the period of political tension in the Basque region.
25 Nov 1975 Portuguese Military Coup Suppression: A significant counter-revolutionary military coup occurred on November 25, 1975, aimed at stabilizing Portugal's democratic process and ending the ongoing revolutionary period (PREC). Dissident paratroopers occupied military complexes but were ultimately defeated by government-loyal commandos.
26 Nov 1975 Lynette Fromme Assassination Attempt Trial: A U.S. Federal jury found Lynette Fromme guilty of attempting to assassinate President Gerald Ford on November 26, 1975. Fromme, a member of the Charles Manson cult, was charged for pointing a loaded pistol at President Ford in Sacramento, California, on September 5, 1975, in a shocking attempt on the president's life.
27 Nov 1975 Ronald Reagan Challenges Gerald Ford: Former California Governor Ronald Reagan announced his candidacy for the Republican presidential nomination, challenging incumbent President Gerald Ford. This political move signaled a significant internal party challenge and would ultimately shape the trajectory of the 1976 presidential election.
28 Nov 1975 Microsoft Name First Used: Bill Gates used the name 'Micro-soft' (for microcomputer software) in a letter to Paul Allen, which would later become the globally recognized technology giant Microsoft. The company was officially registered as a trademark on November 26, 1976.
29 Nov 1975 Birth of the Name 'Microsoft': Bill Gates first uses the name 'Micro-soft' (a portmanteau of 'microcomputer' and 'software') in a letter to his business partner Paul Allen, marking an early milestone in the founding of what would become one of the world's most influential technology companies.
30 Nov 1975 Benin Renames Itself from Dahomey: On November 30, 1975, the West African nation of Dahomey officially changed its name to the Republic of Benin, marking a significant moment in the country's post-colonial history. This renaming represented a symbolic break from its colonial past and an assertion of national identity, reflecting the broader trend of African nations redefining themselves after independence.