TODAY IN HISTORY: NOVEMBER 28

 

November 28

November 28 was a significant day for various reasons. It marked the independence anniversary of Albania, the birth of one of cinema's greats, and witnessed several historical events. Let's delve into the details of this eventful day.

Firstly, November 28 is celebrated as the Independence Day in Albania. On this day in 1912, Albania declared its independence from the Ottoman Empire, which had ruled the region for centuries. The Albanian Declaration of Independence was signed by prominent Albanian leaders, including Ismail Qemali, who became the first head of state of the newly established country. This day holds immense significance for the people of Albania, and it is celebrated with pride and festive events across the country.

In the world of cinema, November 28 marks the birth anniversary of one of the greatest actors of all time, Bruce Lee. Born in 1940 in San Francisco, Bruce Lee went on to become a cultural icon, famous for his martial arts skills and impactful performances. Lee's films, such as \Enter the Dragon\ and \Fists of Fury,\ revolutionized martial arts cinema and garnered global acclaim. His philosophy of martial arts continues to inspire numerous individuals to this day. Bruce Lee's legacy continues to live on, and his birthday is a moment of celebration for his fans worldwide.

On November 28, various historical events took place throughout history. In 1520, a significant naval battle known as the Battle of Lepanto occurred. The battle was fought between the Holy League, a coalition of European Catholic states, and the Ottoman Empire. The Holy League emerged victoriously, marking a major turning point in the conflict between Christian Europe and the Islamic Ottoman Empire.

In 1919, Lady Nancy Astor became the first female Member of Parliament (MP) to take her seat in the British House of Commons. This milestone in women's history paved the way for further progress in female representation in politics.

In the world of technology, November 28 witnessed the launch of the first color TV broadcast by the National Broadcasting Corporation (NBC) in the United States in 1953. This technological advancement allowed viewers to experience television programming in vivid colors, transforming the way entertainment was consumed.

In sports, November 28 saw significant moments as well. In 1998, American sprinter Marion Jones became the first woman to win five medals in a single Olympics. Jones achieved this feat during the Summer Olympics held in Sydney, Australia, where she claimed gold in the 100m, 200m, and 4x400m relay, as well as bronze in the long jump and 4x100m relay. However, Jones' later involvement in doping scandals tarnished her achievements.

On a lighter note, November 28 is also celebrated as \Red Planet Day,\ paying homage to the planet Mars's exploration. This day encourages people to learn more about Mars and its significance in scientific research and space exploration.

In conclusion, November 28 is a day filled with historical and cultural significance. From Albania's Independence Day and Bruce Lee's birth anniversary to pivotal battles, technological advancements, and sports achievements, this date has witnessed numerous notable events throughout history. It serves as a reminder of humanity's progress, resilience, and the diversity of our experiences.

Here are some more events of this day:

587 – Treaty of Andelot: King Guntram of Burgundy recognizes Childebert II as his heir.

936 – Shi Jingtang is enthroned as the first emperor of the Later Jin by Emperor Taizong of Liao, following a revolt against Emperor Fei of Later Tang.

1443 – Skanderbeg and his forces liberate Kruja in central Albania and raise the Albanian flag.

1470 – Champa–Đại Việt War: Emperor Lê Thánh Tông of Đại Việt formally launches his attack against Champa.

1520 – After 38 days, an expedition under the command of Ferdinand Magellan completes the first passage through the Strait of Magellan and enters the Pacific Ocean.

1582 – In Stratford-upon-Avon, William Shakespeare and Anne Hathaway pay a £40 (equivalent to £12,261 in 2021) bond in lieu of posting wedding banns, which enables them to marry immediately.

1627 – The Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth Navy has its greatest and last naval victory in the Battle of Oliwa.

1660 – At Gresham College, twelve men, including Christopher Wren, Robert Boyle, John Wilkins, and Sir Robert Moray decide to found what is later known as the Royal Society.

1666 – At least 3,000 men of the Royal Scots Army led by Tam Dalyell of the Binns defeat about 900 Covenanter insurgents led by James Wallace of Auchens in the Battle of Rullion Green.

1785 – The first Treaty of Hopewell is signed, by which the United States acknowledges Cherokee lands in what is now East Tennessee.

1798 – Trade between the United States and modern-day Uruguay begins when John Leamy's frigate John arrives in Montevideo.

1811 – Beethoven's Piano Concerto No. 5 in E-flat major, Op. 73, premieres at the Gewandhaus in Leipzig.

1814 – The Times of London becomes the first newspaper to be produced on a steam-powered printing press, built by the German team of Koenig & Bauer.

1821 – Panama Independence Day: Panama separates from Spain and joins Gran Colombia.

1843 – Ka Lā Hui (Hawaiian Independence Day): The Kingdom of Hawaii is officially recognized by the United Kingdom and France as an independent nation.

1861 – American Civil War: The Confederate States of America accept a rival state government's pronouncement that declares Missouri to be the 12th state of the Confederacy.

1862 – American Civil War: In the Battle of Cane Hill, Union troops under General James G. Blunt defeat General John Marmaduke's Confederates.

1885 – Bulgarian victory in the Serbo-Bulgarian War preserves the Unification of Bulgaria.

1893 – Women's suffrage in New Zealand concludes with the 1893 New Zealand general election.

1895 – The first American automobile race takes place over the 54 miles from Chicago's Jackson Park to Evanston, Illinois. Frank Duryea wins in approximately 10 hours.

1899 – The Second Boer War: A British column is engaged by Boer forces at the Battle of Modder River; although the Boers withdraw, the British suffer heavy casualties.

1905 – Irish nationalist Arthur Griffith founds Sinn Féin as a political party with the main aim of establishing a dual monarchy in Ireland.

1908 – A mine explosion in Marianna, Pennsylvania, kills 154 men, leaving only one survivor.

1912 – Albania declares its independence from the Ottoman Empire.

1914 – World War I: Following a war-induced closure in July, the New York Stock Exchange re-opens for bond trading.

1917 – The Estonian Provincial Assembly declares itself the sovereign power of Estonia.

1918 – The Soviet Forces moved against Estonia when the 6th Red Rifle Division struck the border town of Narva, which marked the beginning of the Estonian War of Independence.

1919 – Lady Astor is elected as a Member of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. She is the first woman to sit in the House of Commons. (Countess Markievicz, the first to be elected, refused to sit.)

1920 – FIDAC (The Interallied Federation of War Veterans Organisations), the first international organization of war veterans is established in Paris, France.

1920 – Irish War of Independence: Kilmichael Ambush: The Irish Republican Army ambush a convoy of British Auxiliaries and kill seventeen.

1925 – The Grand Ole Opry begins broadcasting in Nashville, Tennessee, as the WSM Barn Dance.

1942 – In Boston, Massachusetts, a fire in the Cocoanut Grove nightclub kills 492 people.

1943 – World War II: Tehran Conference: U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt, British Prime Minister Winston Churchill and Soviet Premier Joseph Stalin meet in Tehran, Iran, to discuss war strategy.

1958 – Chad, the Republic of the Congo, and Gabon become autonomous republics within the French Community.

1958 – First successful flight of SM-65 Atlas; the first operational intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), developed by the United States and the first member of the Atlas rocket family.

1960 – Mauritania becomes independent of France.

1964 – Mariner program: NASA launches the Mariner 4 probe toward Mars.

1964 – Vietnam War: National Security Council members agree to recommend that U.S. President Lyndon B. Johnson adopt a plan for a two-stage escalation of bombing in North Vietnam.

1965 – Vietnam War: In response to U.S. President Lyndon B. Johnson's call for "more flags" in Vietnam, Philippine President-elect Ferdinand Marcos announces he will send troops to help fight in South Vietnam.

1966 – Michel Micombero overthrows the monarchy of Burundi and makes himself the first president.

1967 – The first pulsar (PSR B1919+21, in the constellation of Vulpecula) is discovered by two astronomers Jocelyn Bell Burnell and Antony Hewish.

1971 – Fred Quilt, a leader of the Tsilhqot'in First Nation suffers severe abdominal injuries allegedly caused by Royal Canadian Mounted Police officers; he dies two days later.

1971 – Wasfi al-Tal, Prime Minister of Jordan, is assassinated by the Black September unit of the Palestine Liberation Organization.

1972 – Last executions in Paris: Claude Buffet and Roger Bontems are guillotined at La Santé Prison.

1975 – East Timor declares its independence from Portugal.

1979 – Air New Zealand Flight 901, a DC-10 sightseeing flight over Antarctica, crashes into Mount Erebus, killing all 257 people on board.

1980 – Iran–Iraq War: Operation Morvarid: The bulk of the Iraqi Navy is destroyed by the Iranian Navy in the Persian Gulf. (Commemorated in Iran as Navy Day.)

1987 – South African Airways Flight 295 crashes into the Indian Ocean, killing all 159 people on board.

1989 – Cold War: Velvet Revolution: In the face of protests, the Communist Party of Czechoslovakia announces it will give up its monopoly on political power.

1990 – British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher resigns as leader of the Conservative Party and, therefore, as Prime Minister. She is succeeded in both positions by John Major.

1991 – South Ossetia declares independence from Georgia.

2002 – Suicide bombers blow up an Israeli-owned hotel in Mombasa, Kenya; their colleagues fail in their attempt to bring down Arkia Israel Airlines Flight 582 with surface-to-air missiles.

2010 – Sun Way Flight 4112 crashes after takeoff from Jinnah International Airport in Karachi, Pakistan, killing 12 people.

2014 – Gunmen set off three bombs at the central mosque in the northern Nigerian city of Kano killing at least 120 people.

2016 – A chartered Avro RJ85 plane carrying at least 77 people, including the Chapecoense football team, crashes near Medellín, Colombia.

2020 – Over seven hundred civilians are massacred by the Ethiopian National Defense Force and Eritrean Army in Aksum, Ethiopia.