Major Events of November 1996: 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 1996 and discover how they influenced the world both then and now.

Major Events of November 1996: Key Historical Moments from the Month

01 Nov 1996 Shaquille O'Neal Debuts for Los Angeles Lakers: Basketball superstar Shaquille O'Neal made his first appearance for the Los Angeles Lakers in a game against the Phoenix Suns. He delivered an impressive performance with 23 points and 14 rebounds, helping the Lakers secure a 96-82 victory.
02 Nov 1996 Kobe Bryant's NBA Debut: Los Angeles Lakers' legendary player Kobe Bryant makes his historic NBA debut, becoming the youngest player at that time to enter the league (18 years, 2 months, 11 days). He debuts in a 91-85 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves at the Great Western Forum, marking the beginning of an extraordinary basketball career.
03 Nov 1996 Kobe Bryant's NBA Debut: Kobe Bryant makes his historic NBA debut, becoming the youngest player to enter the league at 18 years, 2 months, and 11 days old. This marks the beginning of what would become one of the most legendary careers in basketball history.
04 Nov 1996 Bill Clinton Wins Second Presidential Term: Bill Clinton was re-elected as the President of the United States, defeating Republican candidate Bob Dole in a decisive election. This victory solidified Clinton's position as a key political figure of the 1990s, marking a continuation of Democratic leadership during a period of economic prosperity and significant social changes.
05 Nov 1996 1996 United States Presidential Election: Democrat incumbent Bill Clinton decisively wins re-election, defeating Republican challenger Bob Dole and securing a second consecutive presidential term. Clinton won 379 electoral votes compared to Dole's 159, demonstrating a significant electoral mandate.
06 Nov 1996 Bill Clinton Re-elected as U.S. President: In the 1996 United States presidential election, incumbent Democratic President Bill Clinton secured a second term in office, defeating Republican candidate Bob Dole. This election solidified Clinton's political mandate and continued the Democratic Party's control of the White House.
07 Nov 1996 Mars Global Surveyor Launch: NASA successfully launched the Mars Global Surveyor, an innovative robotic spacecraft designed to conduct comprehensive long-term scientific studies of the planet Mars. The mission aimed to provide unprecedented insights into the Martian environment and geological characteristics.
08 Nov 1996 Nigerian Boeing 727 Crash Near Lagos: A Nigerian-owned Boeing 727 aircraft crashed into the Atlantic Ocean while approaching Lagos airport, resulting in the tragic loss of all 141 people on board. The devastating accident highlighted significant aviation safety concerns in the region during the mid-1990s.
09 Nov 1996 Evander Holyfield Wins Heavyweight Boxing Championship: In a dramatic boxing match, Evander Holyfield defeated Mike Tyson by technical knockout, securing his third heavyweight world championship title. This victory further solidified Holyfield's status as one of the most accomplished heavyweight boxers of the 1990s, demonstrating his exceptional skill, resilience, and boxing prowess against one of the most formidable opponents in the sport's history.
10 Nov 1996 Murder of Rapper Yaki Kadafi: Yafeu Fula, known professionally as rapper Yaki Kadafi, was tragically shot and killed in New Jersey at the young age of 19. Kadafi was associated with the Tupac Shakur's Outlawz rap group and his death was part of the turbulent East Coast-West Coast hip hop rivalry of the 1990s.
11 Nov 1996 Moscow Cemetery Bombing: A devastating terrorist bombing occurred during a memorial service for Afghanistan war veterans in a Moscow cemetery, resulting in 13 fatalities and 70 injuries, highlighting the ongoing tensions and violence in post-Soviet Russia.
12 Nov 1996 Deadly Mid-Air Collision Over New Delhi: On November 12, 1996, a catastrophic mid-air collision occurred between a Saudi Arabian Airlines Boeing 747 and a Kazakhstan Airlines Ilyushin Il-76 cargo plane near New Delhi, India. The tragic accident resulted in the immediate death of all 349 people on board both aircraft, making it one of the deadliest aviation disasters in history. The collision happened due to communication and navigation errors, highlighting critical air traffic control and safety challenges of the time.
13 Nov 1996 Ken Caminiti Wins NL MVP Award: San Diego Padres third baseman Ken Caminiti is unanimously selected as the National League Most Valuable Player, a rare and prestigious honor in professional baseball.
14 Nov 1996 Cardinal Joseph Bernardin Passes Away: Cardinal Joseph Bernardin, the influential Archbishop of Chicago, died at 68, leaving a significant legacy in the Catholic Church and known for his advocacy of social justice.
15 Nov 1996 Bill Clinton Re-elected as U.S. President: In the 1996 U.S. Presidential Election, Democratic incumbent Bill Clinton decisively defeated Republican challenger Bob Dole, securing his second consecutive term in office. This election solidified Clinton's political legacy and continued the Democratic Party's hold on the White House.
16 Nov 1996 Port Arthur Massacre Sentencing: Martin Bryant was sentenced to 35 consecutive life sentences plus 1,035 years without parole for the horrific Port Arthur massacre in Tasmania, one of Australia's most notorious mass shooting events.
17 Nov 1996 Kaspiysk Terrorist Bombing: A devastating terrorist bomb explosion in Kaspiysk, Russia, results in the tragic loss of 32 lives, highlighting the ongoing security challenges in the region during the mid-1990s.
18 Nov 1996 Port Arthur Massacre Perpetrator Sentenced: Martin Bryant was sentenced to life imprisonment without parole for the horrific Port Arthur massacre in Tasmania, where he murdered 35 innocent people in one of Australia's most devastating mass shooting events.
19 Nov 1996 Port Arthur Massacre Sentencing: Martin Bryant is sentenced to 35 consecutive life sentences plus 1,035 years without parole for the horrific Port Arthur mass shooting in Tasmania, one of Australia's most notorious criminal cases.
20 Nov 1996 Garley Building Fire in Hong Kong: On November 20, 1996, a devastating fire erupted in the Garley Building, a multi-story office complex in Hong Kong, resulting in a tragic loss of 41 lives and injuring 81 people. The incident was one of the deadliest building fires in Hong Kong's modern history, highlighting significant concerns about fire safety and building regulations in densely populated urban areas.
21 Nov 1996 Canadian Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples Report: The Canadian Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples issued a landmark recommendation calling for a complete restructuring of the relationship between indigenous and non-indigenous populations in Canada, highlighting the need for reconciliation and systemic change.
22 Nov 1996 O.J. Simpson Testifies in Civil Wrongful Death Trial: O.J. Simpson took the stand as a hostile witness in the civil wrongful death lawsuit filed against him by the families of Nicole Brown Simpson and Ronald Goldman. During his testimony, Simpson vehemently denied any involvement in the murders, stating emphatically that the allegations were 'absolutely not true'.
23 Nov 1996 Ethiopian Airlines Flight 961 Tragedy: Ethiopian Airlines Flight 961 was hijacked and subsequently crashed into the Indian Ocean off the coast of Comoros after exhausting its fuel supply, resulting in the tragic loss of 125 lives. The incident highlights the severe risks associated with aircraft hijackings and the potential for catastrophic outcomes.
24 Nov 1996 Barry Sanders NFL Record: Barry Sanders of the Detroit Lions achieved a remarkable NFL record by recording his eighth consecutive 1,000-yard season, demonstrating extraordinary consistency and excellence in professional football. This accomplishment underscores Sanders' status as one of the most reliable and talented running backs in NFL history.
25 Nov 1996 Severe Weather Event in Central United States: A devastating ice storm struck the central United States, resulting in 26 direct fatalities. Simultaneously, Florida experienced a powerful windstorm with wind gusts exceeding 90 mph, causing significant damage including toppled trees and overturned trailers.
26 Nov 1996 Pro-Democracy Protests Suppressed in Burma: Widespread student pro-democracy protests are forcibly dispersed by authorities in Burma (Myanmar), highlighting the ongoing political repression and struggle for democratic freedoms in the country.
27 Nov 1996 Belarus Eliminates Nuclear Arsenal: In a significant milestone for nuclear disarmament, Belarus completed the removal of its entire nuclear missile arsenal, transferring the last nuclear weapon to Russia for complete destruction. This action marked Belarus's commitment to becoming a non-nuclear state and reducing Cold War-era nuclear tensions in Eastern Europe.
29 Nov 1996 Severe Winter Weather Event in South Dakota and Minnesota: On November 29-30, 1996, a significant winter weather system caused widespread freezing rain and snow across northeast South Dakota and west central Minnesota. The event began with extensive freezing rain that created a thick layer of ice on roads, making highways and Interstate 29 extremely dangerous for travel. As temperatures shifted, the freezing rain transitioned to snowfall, with accumulations ranging from 2 to 4 inches across the region. The hazardous conditions led to numerous traffic accidents, primarily resulting in minor injuries, and many vehicles were forced off the roadways into ditches. The storm highlighted the treacherous nature of winter weather in the Upper Midwest and the importance of cautious driving during such conditions.
30 Nov 1996 Tiny Tim's Final Performance: Herbert Khaury, better known by his stage name 'Tiny Tim', tragically passed away from a heart attack while performing his iconic song 'Tiptoe Through The Tulips' at a fundraising event in Minneapolis. This unexpected death occurred during a live performance, marking a dramatic and memorable end to the eccentric musician's life.