Major Events of November 2001: 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 2001 and discover how they influenced the world both then and now.

Major Events of November 2001: Key Historical Moments from the Month
- 01 Nov 2001 Coalition Troops Commitment to Afghanistan Invasion: Turkey, Australia, and Canada formally agreed to commit military troops to support the United States-led invasion of Afghanistan following the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, marking a significant international response to global terrorism.
- 02 Nov 2001 China Joins World Trade Organization: After 15 years of complex diplomatic negotiations, the People's Republic of China was officially admitted to the World Trade Organization (WTO), marking a significant milestone in global economic integration and China's international trade relations.
- 03 Nov 2001 Arizona Diamondbacks Win First World Series: In a thrilling conclusion to the 2001 Major League Baseball World Series, the Arizona Diamondbacks clinched their first-ever championship by defeating the New York Yankees 3-2 in Game 7 at Bank One Ballpark in Phoenix. Pitching aces Randy Johnson and Curt Schilling were named co-Most Valuable Players, playing pivotal roles in the team's historic victory against the Yankees, who were seeking their fourth consecutive World Series title.
- 04 Nov 2001 Establishment of Police Service of Northern Ireland: The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) was established, replacing the controversial Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC). This significant reform aimed to create a more inclusive and representative law enforcement agency in Northern Ireland, addressing historical tensions and promoting community trust.
- 05 Nov 2001 President Authorizes Transfers from Emergency Response Fund: President George W. Bush authorized transfers from the Emergency Response Fund, likely to support recovery and rebuilding efforts following the September 11 terrorist attacks on November 5, 2001.
- 06 Nov 2001 Michael Bloomberg Elected NYC Mayor: Michael Bloomberg was elected as the mayor of New York City, succeeding Rudy Giuliani and marking a significant moment in the city's political landscape in the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks.
- 07 Nov 2001 Concorde Returns to Commercial Flight: The iconic supersonic commercial aircraft Concorde resumed flying after a 15-month hiatus, following safety improvements and operational adjustments. This marked a significant moment in aviation history, symbolizing resilience in the face of previous challenges.
- 09 Nov 2001 Death of Niels Jannasch, Canadian Historian: Niels Jannasch, a prominent Canadian historian and museum curator who dedicated his career to preserving and documenting Canadian historical narratives, passed away. Born in 1924, Jannasch made significant contributions to historical research and museum curation, helping to document and showcase Canada's rich cultural heritage.
- 10 Nov 2001 China Joins World Trade Organization: After 15 years of complex negotiations, the People's Republic of China was officially admitted to the World Trade Organization, marking a significant milestone in global economic integration and China's international economic engagement.
- 11 Nov 2001 Taliban Regime Collapses in Afghanistan: In November 2001, the Taliban regime in Afghanistan falls following significant international military intervention. By December, an international conference leads to the formation of a new transitional Afghan government, marking a pivotal moment in the country's political landscape.
- 12 Nov 2001 Taliban Abandons Kabul: In a critical moment during the War in Afghanistan, Taliban forces abandoned Kabul, the capital city, as Afghan Northern Alliance troops advanced. This marked a significant turning point in the post-9/11 military operations, with the Northern Alliance taking control of the city on November 14, 2001.
- 13 Nov 2001 Military Tribunals Executive Order: In a historic move following the September 11 terrorist attacks, US President George W. Bush signed an executive order establishing military tribunals to prosecute foreign nationals suspected of terrorism. This was the first such authorization since World War II, signaling a significant shift in the United States' legal approach to handling terrorist suspects during the War on Terrorism.
- 14 Nov 2001 Bush Authorizes Military Tribunals for Terrorism Suspects: President George W. Bush signs an executive order establishing military tribunals to prosecute foreign nationals suspected of involvement in terrorist activities or planning attacks against the United States, a controversial legal measure in response to the 9/11 attacks.
- 15 Nov 2001 Microsoft Xbox Launch in North America: Microsoft launched the Xbox video gaming system in North America on November 15, 2001. Priced at US$299, the system featured impressive specifications including a 733 MHz Intel main CPU, 250 MHz NVidia XGP graphic processor, 64 MB RAM, and 3D audio support. The console came with four controller ports and one controller, and included an Ethernet port. It could play DVD movies and use dual-layer DVD-ROM discs storing up to 9 GB of data. The launch was highly successful, with 500,000 units sold in the first week and 1.5 million units in the first month.
- 16 Nov 2001 Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone Film Premiere: The first Harry Potter film, "Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone", was released worldwide on November 16, 2001. Directed by Chris Columbus and starring Daniel Radcliffe, the movie was a massive commercial success, grossing US$ 62 million and becoming the second highest-grossing film globally at the time, trailing only behind James Cameron's "Titanic". The film marked the beginning of a transformative franchise that would captivate millions of fans around the world and launch the careers of its young actors.
- 17 Nov 2001 Justice League Animated Series Premieres on Cartoon Network: Cartoon Network launched the animated Justice League series, marking a significant moment in superhero television animation. The show brought together DC Comics' most iconic heroes in a serialized format, appealing to both comic book fans and a broader audience.
- 18 Nov 2001 ConocoPhillips Merger: Phillips Petroleum and Conoco merged to form ConocoPhillips, creating the third-largest oil and natural gas company in the United States, significantly reshaping the energy industry landscape.
- 19 Nov 2001 Aviation and Transportation Security Act Signed: On November 19, 2001, President George W. Bush signed the Aviation and Transportation Security Act (ATSA), a landmark legislation that fundamentally transformed airport and transportation security in the United States. The act established the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), a federal agency responsible for ensuring the safety of air travel in the wake of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. This legislation created comprehensive security protocols, mandated enhanced screening procedures, and centralized airport security under federal oversight, marking a significant shift in national transportation safety strategies.
- 20 Nov 2001 Robert F. Kennedy Justice Department Building Dedication: In Washington, D.C., President George W. Bush officially dedicated the United States Department of Justice Headquarters Building as the Robert F. Kennedy Department of Justice Building. The dedication ceremony commemorated Robert F. Kennedy's 76th birthday, honoring the late attorney general and civil rights advocate.
- 21 Nov 2001 President Bush Shares Thanksgiving with Troops: President George W. Bush visited a military base during Thanksgiving, sharing a traditional turkey dinner with soldiers and acknowledging the significant deployment of over 3,000 troops to Kosovo for six-month rotational missions, demonstrating presidential support for military personnel during the early stages of the War on Terror.
- 23 Nov 2001 Convention on Cybercrime Signed in Budapest: The Convention on Cybercrime was signed in Budapest, Hungary, marking a significant international effort to address digital crime and establish legal frameworks for cybersecurity. This landmark treaty aimed to harmonize national laws on cybercrime, improve investigative techniques, and enhance international cooperation in prosecuting computer-related offenses.
- 24 Nov 2001 Turkey's Legal Reform for Women's Rights: The Grand National Assembly of Turkey enacted significant legal reforms, establishing legal equality for women, removing their subordinate status to husbands, and granting them equal rights before the law.
- 25 Nov 2001 U.S. Marines Enter Afghanistan: Hundreds of U.S. Marines landed at an airfield near Kandahar, marking the first major ground troop deployment in Afghanistan following the September 11 terrorist attacks. This strategic military movement signaled the beginning of the United States' direct combat involvement in the region.
- 27 Nov 2001 First Extrasolar Planet Atmosphere Detected: The Hubble Space Telescope made a groundbreaking astronomical discovery by detecting the first atmosphere on an extrasolar planet, specifically a hydrogen atmosphere on the planet Osiris. This milestone represents a significant advancement in exoplanet research, providing unprecedented insights into planetary formation and composition beyond our solar system.
- 28 Nov 2001 Journalists Killed in Afghanistan: On November 28, 2001, during the early stages of the War in Afghanistan, journalists Pierre Billaud, Johanne Sutton, and Volker Handloik were tragically killed in an attack on their convoy. Their deaths highlighted the extreme dangers faced by international journalists reporting in conflict zones during the post-9/11 military operations.
- 29 Nov 2001 Death of George Harrison: George Harrison, renowned English musician and guitarist of The Beatles, passed away at the age of 58 after a prolonged battle with lung cancer. A pivotal member of one of the most influential bands in music history, Harrison was known for his innovative guitar work, spiritual exploration, and significant songwriting contributions to the Beatles' legacy.
- 30 Nov 2001 Arrest of the Green River Killer: Gary Ridgway, known as the Green River Killer, was arrested in Renton, Washington, marking the conclusion of a decades-long serial murder investigation. Ridgway was a prolific serial killer who targeted women, primarily sex workers and vulnerable individuals, in the King County area during the 1980s and early 1990s.