TODAY IN HISTORY: NOVEMBER 4

 

November 4

November 4th is a significant date in history for various reasons. It has witnessed important events and milestones across different areas of human life, from politics and culture to science and technology. Exploring this date allows us to delve into the rich tapestry of historical events and their lasting impact on our society.

One of the most notable events that took place on November 4th was the reelection of President Barack Obama in 2008. This historic moment marked the first time an African American was elected as the President of the United States. Obama's victory symbolized a turning point in American history, reflecting the progress made in civil rights and equal opportunities for all citizens. It was a moment of immense pride for many individuals, proving that barriers can be broken, and dreams can be achieved regardless of one's racial background.

On a global scale, November 4th has witnessed numerous revolutions and uprisings. In 1979, the Iranian Revolution reached its climax when the United States embassy in Tehran was seized by Iranian militants. This event had a profound impact on international politics, triggering a wave of anti-American sentiment in the Middle East and reshaping the dynamics of the region. The repercussions of the Iranian Revolution are still felt to this day, with Iran playing a prominent role in the geopolitical landscape.

Another significant event that occurred on November 4th was the Fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989. This symbolized the end of the Cold War and the division between East and West Germany. The collapse of the Berlin Wall led to the reunification of the two Germanys, bringing joy and hope to millions of people who had been separated for decades. It marked the beginning of a new era of peace and cooperation, not only in Europe but also globally.

In the realm of technology and science, November 4th holds its share of remarkable achievements. One such milestone was the successful launch of the Viking 2 spacecraft by NASA in 1975. Vikings 1 and 2 were part of a mission to explore Mars and search for signs of life on the red planet. Viking 2 touched down on Mars in 1976, becoming the first spacecraft to land on another planet and relay images back to Earth. This groundbreaking achievement expanded our understanding of the solar system and paved the way for future explorations.

November 4th also holds cultural significance. In 1956, an exceptional talent was born – British actress and humanitarian, Sally Hawkins. Known for her captivating performances in films like \The Shape of Water\ and \Happy-Go-Lucky,\ Hawkins has become an icon in the world of acting. Her versatility and dedication to her craft have earned her critical acclaim and numerous awards. Beyond her artistic achievements, Hawkins is also known for her activism and commitment to social justice causes.

On a lighter note, November 4th is also recognized as \National Candy Day\ in the United States. This sweet celebration allows people from all walks of life to indulge in their favorite sugary treats and enjoy the simple pleasure of candy. Whether it's chocolate, gummies, or hard candies, this day reminds us of the joy and happiness that can be found in these simple delights.

In conclusion, November 4th serves as a reminder of the diverse and significant events that have shaped our history. From political landmarks to cultural milestones, this date holds immense significance across various aspects of human life. Whether it is the election of the first African American President of the United States, the fall of the Berlin Wall, or scientific achievements like the Viking 2 mission to Mars, November 4th exemplifies the power of human potential and the enduring impact of historical events.

Here are more events from this day:

1429 – Armagnac–Burgundian Civil War: Joan of Arc liberates Saint-Pierre-le-Moûtier.

1493 – Christopher Columbus reaches Leeward Island and Puerto Rico.

1501 – Catherine of Aragon (later Henry VIII's first wife) meets Arthur Tudor, Henry VIII's older brother – they would later marry.

1576 – Eighty Years' War: In Flanders, Spain captures Antwerp (which is nearly destroyed after three days).

1677 – The future Mary II of England marries William, Prince of Orange; they later jointly reign as William and Mary.

1737 – The Teatro di San Carlo, the oldest working opera house in Europe, is inaugurated in Naples, Italy.

1780 – The Rebellion of Túpac Amaru II against Spanish rule in the Viceroyalty of Peru begins.

1783 – Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's Symphony No. 36 is performed for the first time in Linz, Austria.

1791 – Northwest Indian War: The Western Confederacy of American Indians wins a major victory over the United States in the Battle of the Wabash.

1798 – The Russo-Ottoman siege of Corfu begins.

1839 – Newport Rising: The last large-scale armed rebellion against authority in mainland Britain.

1847 – Sir James Young Simpson, a Scottish physician, discovers the anaesthetic properties of chloroform.

1852 – Camillo Benso, Count of Cavour, becomes the prime minister of Piedmont-Sardinia, which soon expands to become Italy.

1864 – American Civil War: Confederate troops bombard a Union supply base and destroy millions of dollars in materiel at the Battle of Johnsonville.

1868 – Camagüey, Cuba, revolts against Spain during the Ten Years' War.

1890 – City and South London Railway: London's first deep-level tube railway opens between King William Street and Stockwell.

1918 – World War I: The Armistice of Villa Giusti between Italy and Austria-Hungary is implemented.

1921 – The Saalschutz Abteilung (hall defense detachment) of the Nazi Party is renamed the Sturmabteilung (storm detachment) after a large riot in Munich.

1921 – Japanese Prime Minister Hara Takashi is assassinated in Tokyo.

1922 – In Egypt, British archaeologist Howard Carter and his men find the entrance to Tutankhamun's tomb in the Valley of the Kings.

1924 – Nellie Tayloe Ross of Wyoming becomes the first female elected as governor in the United States.

1936 – Spanish Civil War: Largo Caballero reshuffles his war cabinet, persuading the anarcho-syndicalist CNT to join the government.

1939 – World War II: U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt orders the United States Customs Service to implement the Neutrality Act of 1939, allowing cash-and-carry purchases of weapons by belligerents.

1942 – World War II: Disobeying a direct order by Adolf Hitler, General Field Marshal Erwin Rommel begins a retreat of his forces after a costly defeat during the Second Battle of El Alamein. The retreat would ultimately last five months.

1944 – World War II: The 7th Macedonian Liberation Brigade liberates Bitola for the Allies.

1944 – World War II: Operation Pheasant, an Allied offensive to liberate North Brabant in the Netherlands, ends successfully. 

1952 – The United States government establishes the National Security Agency, or NSA.

1956 – Soviet troops enter Hungary to end the Hungarian revolution against the Soviet Union that started on October 23. Thousands are killed, more are wounded, and nearly a quarter million leave the country.

1960 – At the Kasakela Chimpanzee Community in Tanzania, Dr. Jane Goodall observes chimpanzees creating tools, the first-ever observation in non-human animals.

1962 – The United States concludes Operation Fishbowl, its final above-ground nuclear weapons testing series, in anticipation of the 1963 Partial Nuclear Test Ban Treaty.

1966 – The Arno River floods Florence, Italy, to a maximum depth of 6.7 m (22 ft), leaving thousands homeless and destroying millions of masterpieces of art and rare books. Venice is also submerged on the same day at its record all-time acqua alta of 194 cm (76 in).

1967 – Iberia Flight 062 crashes in Blackdown, West Sussex, killing all 37 people on board including British actress June Thorburn.

1970 – Vietnam War: The United States turns over control of the air base at Bình Thủy in the Mekong Delta to South Vietnam.

1970 – Salvador Allende takes office as President of Chile, the first Marxist to become president of a Latin American country through open elections.

1973 – The Netherlands experiences the first car-free Sunday caused by the 1973 oil crisis. Highways are used only by cyclists and roller skaters.

1979 – Iran hostage crisis: A group of Iranian college students overruns the U.S. embassy in Tehran and takes 90 hostages.

1980 – Ronald Reagan is elected as the 40th President of the United States, defeating incumbent Jimmy Carter.

1993 – China Airlines Flight 605, a brand-new 747-400, overruns the runway at Hong Kong Kai Tak Airport.

1995 – Israel-Palestinian conflict: Israeli prime minister Yitzhak Rabin is assassinated by an extremist Israeli.

2002 – Chinese authorities arrest cyber-dissident He Depu for signing a pro-democracy letter to the 16th Communist Party Congress.

2008 – Barack Obama becomes the first person of biracial or African-American descent to be elected as President of the United States.

2010 – Aero Caribbean Flight 883 crashes into Guasimal, Sancti Spíritus; all 68 passengers and crew are killed.

2010 – Qantas Flight 32, an Airbus A380, suffers an uncontained engine failure over Indonesia shortly after taking off from Singapore, crippling the jet. The crew manage to safely return to Singapore, saving all 469 passengers and crew.

2015 – A cargo plane crashes shortly after takeoff from Juba International Airport in Juba, South Sudan, killing at least 37 people.

2015 – A building collapses in the Pakistani city of Lahore resulting in at least 45 deaths and at least 100 injuries.

2020 - The Tigray War begins with Tigrayan rebels launching attacks on Ethiopian command centers.

 

TODAY IN HISTORY: NOVEMBER 5

 

November 5

November 5 is an important day in history, particularly for the United Kingdom. It is widely known as Guy Fawkes Night, Bonfire Night, or Fireworks Night. This day marks the anniversary of the failed Gunpowder Plot, a significant event that took place in 1605.

The Gunpowder Plot was a Catholic conspiracy against the Protestant government led by King James I. The plotters, including Guy Fawkes, aimed to blow up the Houses of Parliament during the State Opening, kill the King, and restore a Catholic monarchy. However, their plan was discovered before it could be executed, and Fawkes was caught guarding the explosives in the cellar of the Parliament.

To commemorate the foiling of this plot, the British public started celebrating November 5 as a reminder of the importance of loyalty to the Crown and the need to defend the country against political and religious extremism. The celebration revolves around large bonfires and fireworks displays, where effigies of Guy Fawkes, known as \guys,\ are burned.

Apart from the historical significance, November 5 has evolved into a festive occasion enjoyed by people of all ages. Bonfire Night is a beloved tradition in the UK, with thousands of events organized across the country. Communities come together to build bonfires and set off fireworks, creating a vibrant atmosphere filled with dazzling lights and loud bangs.

Children play a significant role during this celebration, often taking part in a tradition called \Penny for the Guy.\ They make effigies of Guy Fawkes and ask passersby for money to buy fireworks or sweets. These \guys\ are typically displayed in wheelbarrows or on street corners, attracting attention from the public. It is a way for children to participate in the festivities while also raising funds for their own enjoyment.

The essence of Bonfire Night is not just about the excitement of fireworks and bonfires but also the underlying message it carries. It symbolizes the triumph of the rule of law, democracy, and the unity of the British people. It serves as a reminder that the country values religious freedom, peace, and stability.

Over the years, the celebration has also become an opportunity to raise awareness about safety regarding fireworks and bonfires. Local authorities and fire services often provide guidance and advice to the public on how to enjoy the festivities safely. It is encouraged to attend organized events and to follow the instructions given by event organizers to prevent accidents and injuries.

In recent times, however, there has been some debate surrounding the significance and relevance of celebrating November 5. Critics argue that it perpetuates religious divisions and fails to acknowledge the progress made in religious tolerance and equality. They believe that focusing on historical events like the Gunpowder Plot may hinder the objective of a more inclusive and united society.

Nonetheless, the majority still embrace the tradition, viewing it as a celebration of historical events and an opportunity for community bonding. The dazzling fireworks, crackling bonfires, and the warm glow of camaraderie continue to draw people out to commemorate this event. It serves as a gateway to learn about British history, the pursuit of religious freedom, and the importance of unity in the face of divisive ideologies.

Ultimately, November 5 remains an important date in the UK's cultural calendar. It stands as a testament to the country's resilience and the enduring values cherished by its people. Whether it is the historical significance, the joyous atmosphere, or the simple pleasure of watching fireworks light up the sky, Bonfire Night continues to captivate the hearts of Britons and serves as a poignant reminder of the past.

Here are more events from this day:

1138 – Lý Anh Tông is enthroned as emperor of Vietnam at the age of two, beginning a 37-year reign.

1499 – The Catholicon, written in 1464 by Jehan Lagadeuc in Tréguier, is published; this is the first Breton dictionary as well as the first French dictionary.

1556 – Second Battle of Panipat: Fighting begins between the forces of Hem Chandra Vikramaditya, the Hindu king at Delhi and the forces of the Muslim emperor Akbar.

1605 – Gunpowder Plot: Guy Fawkes is arrested in the cellars of the Houses of Parliament, where he had planted gunpowder in an attempt to blow up the building and kill King James I of England.

1688 – Prince William III of Orange lands with a Dutch fleet at Brixham to challenge the rule of King James II of England (James VII of Scotland).

1757 – Seven Years' War: Frederick the Great defeats the allied armies of France and the Holy Roman Empire at the Battle of Rossbach.

1768 – The Treaty of Fort Stanwix is signed, the purpose of which is to adjust the boundary line between Indian lands and white settlements set forth in the Royal Proclamation of 1763 in the Thirteen Colonies.

1780 – French-American forces under Colonel LaBalme are defeated by Miami Chief Little Turtle.

1811 – Salvadoran priest José Matías Delgado rings the bells of La Merced church in San Salvador, calling for insurrection and launching the 1811 Independence Movement.

1828 – Greek War of Independence: The French Morea expedition to recapture Morea (now the Peloponnese) ends when the last Ottoman forces depart the peninsula.

1862 – American Civil War: Abraham Lincoln removes George B. McClellan as commander of the Army of the Potomac.

1862 – American Indian Wars: In Minnesota, 303 Dakota warriors are found guilty of rape and murder of whites and are sentenced to death. Thirty-eight are ultimately hanged and the others reprieved.

1872 – Women's suffrage in the United States: In defiance of the law, suffragist Susan B. Anthony votes for the first time, and is later fined $100.

1895 – George B. Selden is granted the first U.S. patent for an automobile.

1898 – Negrese nationalists revolt against Spanish rule and establish the short-lived Republic of Negros.

1911 – After declaring war on the Ottoman Empire on September 29, 1911, Italy annexes Tripoli and Cyrenaica.

1912 – Woodrow Wilson is elected the 28th President of the United States, defeating incumbent William Howard Taft.

1913 – King Otto of Bavaria is deposed by his cousin, Prince Regent Ludwig, who assumes the title Ludwig III.

1914 – World War I: France and the British Empire declare war on the Ottoman Empire.

1916 – The Kingdom of Poland is proclaimed by the Act of 5th November of the emperors of Germany and Austria-Hungary.

1916 – The Everett massacre takes place in Everett, Washington as political differences lead to a shoot-out between the Industrial Workers of the World organizers and local police.

1917 – Lenin calls for the October Revolution.

1917 – Tikhon is elected the Patriarch of Moscow and of the Russian Orthodox Church.

1925 – Secret agent Sidney Reilly, the first "super-spy" of the 20th century, is executed by the OGPU, the secret police of the Soviet Union.

1940 – World War II: The British armed merchant cruiser HMS Jervis Bay is sunk by the German pocket battleship Admiral Scheer.

1940 – Franklin D. Roosevelt is the first and only President of the United States to be elected to a third term.

1943 – World War II: Bombing of the Vatican.

1950 – Korean War: British and Australian forces from the 27th British Commonwealth Brigade successfully halted the advancing Chinese 117th Division during the Battle of Pakchon.

1955 – After being destroyed in World War II, the rebuilt Vienna State Opera reopens with a performance of Beethoven's Fidelio.

1956 – Suez Crisis: British and French paratroopers land in Egypt after a week-long bombing campaign.

1968 – Richard Nixon is elected as 37th President of the United States.

1970 – The Military Assistance Command, Vietnam reports the lowest weekly American soldier death toll in five years (24).

1983 – The Byford Dolphin diving bell accident kills five and leaves one severely injured.

1986 – USS Rentz, USS Reeves and USS Oldendorf visit Qingdao, China; the first US naval visit to China since 1949.

1990 – Rabbi Meir Kahane, founder of the far-right Kach movement, is shot dead after a speech at a New York City hotel.

1991 – Tropical Storm Thelma causes flash floods in the Philippine city of Ormoc, killing more than 4,900 people.

1995 – André Dallaire attempts to assassinate Prime Minister Jean Chrétien of Canada. He is thwarted when the Prime Minister's wife locks the door.

1996 – Pakistani President Farooq Leghari dismisses the government of Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto and dissolves the National Assembly.

1996 – Bill Clinton is reelected President of the United States.

2006 – Saddam Hussein, the former president of Iraq, and his co-defendants Barzan Ibrahim al-Tikriti and Awad Hamed al-Bandar, are sentenced to death in the al-Dujail trial for their roles in the 1982 massacre of 148 Shia Muslims.

2007 – China's first lunar satellite, Chang'e 1, goes into orbit around the Moon.

2007 – The Android mobile operating system is unveiled by Google.

2009 – U.S. Army Major Nidal Hasan murders 13 and wounds 32 at Fort Hood, Texas in the deadliest mass shooting at a U.S. military installation.

2013 – India launches the Mars Orbiter Mission, its first interplanetary probe.

2015 – An iron ore tailings dam bursts in the Brazilian state of Minas Gerais, flooding a valley, causing mudslides in the nearby village of Bento Rodrigues and causing at least 17 deaths and two missing.

2015 – Rona Ambrose takes over after Stephen Harper as the Leader of the Conservative Party of Canada.

2017 – Devin Patrick Kelley kills 26 and injures 22 in a church in Sutherland Springs, Texas.

2021 – The Astroworld Festival crowd crush results in 10 deaths and 25 people being hospitalized