Major Events of November 2009: 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 2009 and discover how they influenced the world both then and now.
Major Events of November 2009: Key Historical Moments from the Month
- 01 Nov 2009 Abdullah Abdullah Withdraws from Afghan Presidential Run-off: Afghan presidential candidate Abdullah Abdullah withdrew from the run-off election against incumbent Hamid Karzai, citing concerns about the independence of Azizullah Lodin, the head of the Independent Election Commission. This decision significantly impacted the electoral process in Afghanistan.
- 02 Nov 2009 Radovan Karadzic War Crimes Trial: Radovan Karadzic, former leader of Bosnian Serbs, was set to attend his war crimes trial after previously boycotting sessions. This event represents an important moment in international judicial proceedings for war crimes.
- 03 Nov 2009 Radovan Karadzic War Crimes Trial Begins: Radovan Karadzic, former leader of Bosnian Serbs, attends his first war crimes trial after previously boycotting court proceedings.
- 04 Nov 2009 Iranian Protests Mark U.S. Embassy Overthrow Anniversary: Iranian protesters commemorated the 30th anniversary of the U.S. Embassy overthrow in Tehran, with significant clashes occurring between security forces and anti-government demonstrators. These protests reflected the ongoing political tensions in Iran.
- 05 Nov 2009 Fort Hood Mass Shooting: U.S. Army Major Nidal Malik Hasan perpetrated a devastating terrorist attack at Fort Hood, Texas, murdering 13 military personnel and wounding 32 others in the deadliest mass shooting at a U.S. military installation. The incident shocked the nation and raised significant concerns about radicalization within the military.
- 06 Nov 2009 Fort Hood Shooting Tragedy: A major in the US Army conducted a devastating mass shooting at Fort Hood military base in Texas, killing thirteen soldiers and injuring thirty others. This shocking incident raised serious questions about mental health and security within military installations.
- 07 Nov 2009 German Federal Election 2009: The 2009 German federal election was held, determining the composition of the Bundestag and the future leadership of Germany.
- 08 Nov 2009 US House Passes Landmark Healthcare Reform: The United States House of Representatives passes the highly controversial Healthcare Reform Act with a narrow vote of 220-215, a pivotal moment in US healthcare policy.
- 09 Nov 2009 20th Anniversary of the Fall of the Berlin Wall: German Chancellor Angela Merkel, the last Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev, and Polish ex-President Lech Walesa walked through the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall, symbolizing the end of the Cold War and the reunification of Germany.
- 10 Nov 2009 Naval Skirmish Between North and South Korea: A tense maritime confrontation occurred in the Yellow Sea when a North Korean patrol vessel entered South Korean territorial waters, resulting in an exchange of gunfire that damaged vessels on both sides. This was the first such incident in seven years, highlighting ongoing tensions between the two nations.
- 11 Nov 2009 DC Sniper John Allen Muhammad Executed: John Allen Muhammad was executed by lethal injection at the Greensville Correctional Center in Jarratt, Virginia, for his role in the 2002 sniper shootings that killed 10 people and terrorized the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area.
- 12 Nov 2009 Fort Hood Shooting Charges: Major Nidal Malik Hasan of the United States Army was formally charged with 13 counts of murder related to the devastating Fort Hood shooting, a tragic incident that shocked the military and national community.
- 13 Nov 2009 NASA Discovers Water on the Moon: NASA scientists announced a groundbreaking discovery after conducting an experiment to find water on the Moon. By intentionally crashing a rocket into a lunar crater, they successfully revealed the presence of ice and water vapor in the debris field, marking a significant milestone in lunar exploration.
- 14 Nov 2009 Peshawar Bombing: A bomb explosion in Peshawar, Pakistan, killed at least 11 people and injured 24 others, underscoring ongoing security challenges in the region.
- 15 Nov 2009 Obama Meets Burmese Military Government: U.S. President Barack Obama became the first American President to meet Burma's military government, demanding the release of Aung San Suu Kyi and other political prisoners.
- 16 Nov 2009 IAEA Concerns over Iran's Nuclear Site: The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) expressed significant concerns after Iran's delayed declaration of a second nuclear site, escalating international tensions.
- 17 Nov 2009 Obama's First China Visit: U.S. President Barack Obama continues his inaugural visit to China, meeting with Premier Wen Jiabao and President Hu Jintao to discuss bilateral relations and global issues.
- 18 Nov 2009 Iraq Election Law Controversy: Vice President Tariq al Hashimimi vetoes a portion of Iraq's election law, potentially jeopardizing the planned January 2010 elections and creating political uncertainty.
- 19 Nov 2009 European Union Leadership Changes: European Union leaders select Belgian Prime Minister Herman van Rompuy as the first permanent European Council President and Baroness Catherine Ashton from the UK as High Representative, marking a significant moment in EU governance structure.
- 20 Nov 2009 CERN Restarts Large Hadron Collider: The European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN) successfully restarted the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) particle accelerator in Geneva, Switzerland, after a 14-month shutdown that began on September 19, 2008. This marked a significant milestone in scientific research and particle physics exploration.
- 21 Nov 2009 Obama's Approval Rating Declines: A Gallup poll reveals that President Barack Obama's job approval rating has fallen below 50 percent, indicating growing public dissatisfaction.
- 22 Nov 2009 US Senate Advances Healthcare Reform Debate: The United States Senate voted to proceed with debate on the healthcare reform bill, with discussions scheduled to begin on November 30, 2009. This marked a significant procedural step in the landmark healthcare legislation.
- 23 Nov 2009 Maguindanao Massacre: A horrific mass killing occurred in Ampatuan, Maguindanao, Philippines, where 57 citizens and journalists were brutally murdered by gunmen while en route to register voters. This event is considered the worst attack on journalists in recorded history, highlighting the extreme political violence in the region.
- 24 Nov 2009 Maguindanao Massacre in Philippines: Following the bloodiest election-related massacre in Philippine history, which claimed at least 40 lives, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo declared a state of emergency in Maguindanao, highlighting the region's political volatility.
- 25 Nov 2009 Maguindanao Massacre: A significant political violence incident in the Philippines where multiple individuals were killed in a targeted attack. The Philippine police identified a political ally of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo as the prime suspect. The National Police took full control of Maguindanao province to prevent further escalation of violence.
- 26 Nov 2009 Dublin Catholic Church Abuse Scandal: The Murphy Report, commissioned by the Irish government, revealed that the Roman Catholic Archdiocese in Dublin had systematically covered up widespread child abuse by priests until the mid-1990s.
- 27 Nov 2009 IAEA Condemns Iran's Nuclear Program: The International Atomic Energy Agency adopted a resolution with a 25-3 vote, officially condemning Iran's secret uranium enrichment facility. This marked a significant diplomatic moment in the ongoing international tensions surrounding Iran's nuclear ambitions.
- 28 Nov 2009 Russia Investigates Nevsky Express Bombing: Russia's Prosecutor General initiated criminal proceedings into the previous day's Nevsky Express bombing, which claimed at least 26 lives, signaling a serious investigation into the terrorist incident.
- 29 Nov 2009 Lakewood Police Officer Murders: Maurice Clemmons committed a horrific mass shooting, killing four police officers inside a coffee shop in Lakewood, Washington, in a shocking act of violence against law enforcement.
- 30 Nov 2009 Nazi War Criminal John Demjanjuk Charged: John Demjanjuk was brought to Munich to face war crimes charges for his alleged role in the murder of 27,000 Jews during the Holocaust, representing a continued pursuit of justice for Nazi-era atrocities.