Major Events of November 2021: 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 2021 and discover how they influenced the world both then and now.

Major Events of November 2021: Key Historical Moments from the Month
- 01 Nov 2021 Global COVID-19 Death Toll Surpasses 5 Million: According to Johns Hopkins University, the global death toll from COVID-19 has officially passed 5 million, with epidemiological experts estimating that the true number of fatalities is likely at least twice as high. This grim milestone underscores the devastating global impact of the pandemic, highlighting significant disparities in healthcare access, vaccination rates, and pandemic response across different regions of the world.
- 02 Nov 2021 Niger Terrorist Massacre: Islamic State in the Greater Sahara militants launched a brutal attack on a local government delegation in Banibangou, Niger. The assault resulted in at least 69 deaths, including the local mayor. This incident highlights the ongoing terrorist threat in the Sahel region.
- 03 Nov 2021 CDC Approves Pfizer COVID-19 Vaccine for Children: The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) authorized the Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for children aged 5 to 11, expanding vaccination efforts and providing protection for younger populations during the pandemic.
- 04 Nov 2021 United States COVID-19 Death Toll Surpasses 750,000: The United States recorded nearly 1,900 COVID-19 deaths in a single day, pushing the total pandemic death toll beyond 750,000, underscoring the pandemic's devastating impact.
- 05 Nov 2021 UK Approves First COVID-19 Antiviral Pill: The United Kingdom became the first country to approve Merck's molnupiravir, an antiviral medication designed to treat mild to moderate COVID-19 in adult patients, marking a significant advancement in pandemic medical treatment.
- 06 Nov 2021 Women Activists Murdered in Afghanistan: In a tragic incident highlighting the ongoing violence against women in Afghanistan, four women, including a prominent women's rights activist, were brutally killed by unidentified gunmen in Mazar-i-Sharif, located in Balkh Province. The attack underscores the persistent threats faced by women advocating for human rights and gender equality in the region. Local authorities arrested two suspects in connection with the murders, though details about their identities and motivations remain unclear.
- 07 Nov 2021 Global Climate Protest at COP26: Over 100,000 protesters gathered in Glasgow, Scotland, demanding more aggressive and concrete climate action during the COP26 summit. The massive demonstration highlighted growing public pressure on world leaders to address climate change and reduce carbon emissions.
- 08 Nov 2021 Tigray Rebels Advance Toward Ethiopia's Capital: Fighters from the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) and allied militias made significant military advances toward Addis Ababa, escalating the ongoing Ethiopian civil conflict. This development raised serious concerns about potential regime change and humanitarian consequences.
- 09 Nov 2021 Canada Approves COVID-19 Booster Shots: Health Canada authorized booster doses of the Pfizer–BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for individuals over 18 years old, expanding vaccination efforts to provide additional protection against the coronavirus.
- 10 Nov 2021 COP26 Conference: Global Agreement on Phasing Out Fossil Fuel Vehicles: At the COP26 Conference, a landmark agreement was reached by twenty-four nations and leading automotive manufacturers including Ford, Mercedes-Benz, and Volvo. The commitment involves phasing out new petrol and diesel cars by 2030 and completely ending the sale of fossil fuel vehicles by 2040, marking a significant step towards reducing carbon emissions in the transportation sector.
- 11 Nov 2021 Houthi Forces Seize Former US Embassy in Sanaa: On November 11, 2021, Houthi rebel forces conducted a significant operation at the abandoned United States embassy compound in Sanaa, Yemen. The militants forcibly entered the diplomatic facility, systematically removing substantial quantities of equipment and materials. During the raid, several Yemeni staff members were taken hostage, escalating tensions in the already volatile region. This incident highlighted the ongoing instability in Yemen and the complex geopolitical challenges facing diplomatic missions in conflict zones.
- 12 Nov 2021 Britney Spears Conservatorship Terminated: The Los Angeles Superior Court formally ended the 14-year conservatorship that had controlled pop singer Britney Spears' personal and financial affairs. This landmark legal decision marked a significant victory for Spears, who had been fighting to regain control of her life and autonomy since 2008.
- 13 Nov 2021 Kim Ng Becomes First Female MLB General Manager: The Miami Marlins made history on November 13, 2021, by appointing Kim Ng as their general manager. This groundbreaking appointment made Ng the first woman to hold a general manager position in Major League Baseball, breaking a significant gender barrier in professional sports management.
- 14 Nov 2021 Global COVID-19 Vaccine and Pandemic Response Developments: Several countries took significant steps in COVID-19 management. Austria announced a nationwide lockdown for unvaccinated individuals over 12 years old. Egypt initiated clinical trials for COVI-VAX, its first domestically developed COVID-19 vaccine. Israel's Health Ministry approved the Pfizer–BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for children aged 5 to 11, expanding vaccination efforts.
- 15 Nov 2021 Biden-Xi Virtual Summit to Reduce Diplomatic Tensions: U.S. President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping held a virtual bilateral meeting aimed at addressing and potentially reducing rising geopolitical tensions surrounding issues like Taiwan, COVID-19 origins, and international trade.
- 16 Nov 2021 Biden-Xi Virtual Summit Highlights US-China Tensions: President Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping engaged in a critical three-and-a-half-hour virtual summit, addressing complex geopolitical issues including Taiwan's status, human rights concerns, and trade policies. Xi strongly warned against U.S. support for Taiwanese independence, characterizing such actions as 'playing with fire' and criticizing emerging U.S. Pacific alliances.
- 17 Nov 2021 Biden and Xi Discuss Nuclear Arms Control: In a diplomatic breakthrough, U.S. President Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping agreed to explore potential nuclear arms control talks. This dialogue aimed to reduce geopolitical tensions and establish a framework for strategic communication between the world's two most powerful nations.
- 18 Nov 2021 House Censures Representative Paul Gosar for Violent Social Media Post: The U.S. House of Representatives voted 223 to 207 to censure Republican Representative Paul Gosar of Arizona and remove him from his committee assignments. The disciplinary action was taken in response to Gosar's inflammatory social media post, which featured an animated video depicting him symbolically killing Democratic Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and attacking President Joe Biden. This unprecedented move highlighted the growing tensions and polarization within Congress, demonstrating the chamber's willingness to take formal action against members who engage in potentially threatening or inappropriate behavior.
- 19 Nov 2021 Kyle Rittenhouse Acquitted of Murder Charges: An American jury found Kyle Rittenhouse not guilty of murder for fatally shooting two individuals during racial justice protests in Kenosha, Wisconsin, a controversial case that sparked national debate.
- 20 Nov 2021 Violent COVID-19 Protests in Rotterdam: Police in Rotterdam, Netherlands, shot and seriously injured three protesters during demonstrations against COVID-19 measures. Fifty-one people were arrested, with half being under 18 years old, indicating significant social tension.
- 21 Nov 2021 Jerusalem Old City Shooting: On November 21, 2021, a Hamas gunman carried out a shooting attack in the narrow alleyways of Jerusalem's Old City, killing one Israeli civilian and wounding three others. The incident ended when Israeli forces neutralized the gunman, highlighting the ongoing tensions in the region.
- 22 Nov 2021 Global COVID-19 Pandemic Developments: Global COVID-19 cases surpassed 257.6 million, with over 5.15 million deaths recorded. Different countries adopted varied strategies: New Zealand shifted to 'living with the virus', Austria entered its fourth lockdown, and South Korea fully reopened schools for the first time since 2020.
- 23 Nov 2021 Austria and Germany Implement Stricter COVID-19 Restrictions: In response to escalating COVID-19 case numbers, Austria imposed a new nationwide lockdown. Simultaneously, German Chancellor Angela Merkel emphasized the urgent need for tighter restrictions in Germany to curb the record-setting rise in coronavirus infections.
- 24 Nov 2021 Tragic English Channel Migrant Boat Sinking: A devastating maritime tragedy occurred on November 24, 2021, when at least 27 migrants perished while attempting to cross the English Channel to reach Britain. The overcrowded inflatable boat capsized and sank, resulting in the drowning of all passengers, highlighting the dangerous conditions faced by migrants seeking refuge and economic opportunities.
- 25 Nov 2021 Omicron Variant and Economic Challenges Emerge: A new, potentially alarming COVID-19 variant raised global health concerns, signaling potential challenges to pandemic recovery. Simultaneously, the economic landscape was marked by significant inflationary pressures, with the inflation rate reaching a 30-year high. Retail sectors noted Black Friday prices were up 17% compared to the previous year, reflecting broader economic uncertainties.
- 26 Nov 2021 WHO Identifies Omicron COVID-19 Variant: The World Health Organization (WHO) officially identifies the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant, marking a significant moment in the ongoing global COVID-19 pandemic. This new variant raised immediate international health concerns due to its potentially increased transmissibility and potential vaccine resistance.
- 27 Nov 2021 WHO Classifies Omicron COVID Variant as Global Concern: The World Health Organization officially classified the new Omicron coronavirus strain, first detected in southern Africa, as a 'variant of concern'. Preliminary evidence suggests the variant presents a higher risk of reinfection and potentially increased transmissibility compared to previous strains.
- 28 Nov 2021 Global Scientific Response to Omicron COVID-19 Variant: In late November 2021, countries worldwide initiated urgent scientific investigations into the newly discovered Omicron variant of SARS-CoV-2. Researchers in South Africa, where the variant was first identified, led comprehensive studies to analyze the variant's transmissibility, potential vaccine resistance, and clinical severity. International scientific communities rapidly collaborated to sequence the variant's genome, assess its mutation profile, and develop strategies to mitigate potential public health risks.
- 29 Nov 2021 Barbados Becomes a Republic, Ending Monarchical Ties: Barbados officially transitioned from a constitutional monarchy to a republic, removing Queen Elizabeth II as its head of state. Sandra Mason was elected as the country's first president, marking a significant milestone in the nation's postcolonial political evolution and asserting its full sovereignty.
- 30 Nov 2021 Josephine Baker Honored at Panthéon: In a groundbreaking moment for French history, Josephine Baker became the first Black woman to be honored at the Panthéon in Paris, France's most prestigious national mausoleum. This recognition celebrated her extraordinary contributions as an entertainer, civil rights activist, and French Resistance member during World War II.