On This Day in History – November 25

November 25 has been a day of transformation, courage, and creativity throughout world history. From moments of political change to cultural milestones and scientific discoveries, this date highlights the strength of innovation and human resilience.

Major Events

1. 1491 – The siege of Granada begins, the final military campaign of the Spanish Reconquista that would end Muslim rule in Spain.
2. 1758 – Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, is founded following the French and Indian War and named in honor of British statesman William Pitt.
3. 1783 – The last British troops leave New York City following the American Revolutionary War, an event celebrated as “Evacuation Day.”
4. 1839 – A powerful cyclone strikes India’s Coringa district, killing an estimated 300,000 people and destroying the port city.
5. 1867 – Alfred Nobel patents dynamite, revolutionizing construction and mining industries — and later inspiring the creation of the Nobel Prizes.
6. 1926 – The deadliest tornado outbreak in Italian history strikes Sicily, killing over 300 people.
7. 1947 – The “Hollywood Ten” are cited for contempt of Congress for refusing to answer questions about Communist affiliations, beginning the McCarthy-era blacklist.
8. 1952 – Agatha Christie’s The Mousetrap opens in London’s West End; it becomes the world’s longest-running stage play.
9. 1963 – John F. Kennedy is laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery as millions mourn around the globe.
10. 1973 – Greece’s ruling military junta collapses amid widespread protests, paving the way for the restoration of democracy.
11. 1984 – Thirty-six top musicians record Do They Know It’s Christmas? to raise money for famine relief in Ethiopia, creating the Band Aid movement.
12. 2016 – Fidel Castro, revolutionary leader and former President of Cuba, dies at age 90, ending an era in Cuban and global politics.

Famous Birthdays

1. Lope de Vega (1562–1635) — Spanish playwright and poet, one of the most prolific writers in Western literature.
2. Andrew Carnegie (1835–1919) — Scottish-American industrialist and philanthropist who transformed the U.S. steel industry.
3. Karl Benz (1844–1929) — German engineer and inventor of the first practical automobile powered by an internal combustion engine.
4. Carrie Nation (1846–1911) — American temperance activist famous for attacking saloons with a hatchet.
5. Pope John XXIII (1881–1963) — Head of the Catholic Church from 1958 to 1963, known for initiating the Second Vatican Council.
6. Joe DiMaggio (1914–1999) — American baseball legend and cultural icon, known for his 56-game hitting streak.
7. Ricardo Montalbán (1920–2009) — Mexican actor remembered for Fantasy Island and Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan.
8. John F. Kennedy Jr. (1960–1999) — American lawyer and magazine publisher, son of President John F. Kennedy.
9. Christina Applegate (1971– ) — American actress known for Married… with Children and Dead to Me.
10. Jill Hennessy (1968– ) — Canadian actress and musician known for Law & Order and Crossing Jordan.

Notable Deaths

1. Ugo Foscolo (1778–1827) — Italian poet, novelist, and revolutionary.
2. Johann Christoph Friedrich Bach (1732–1795) — German composer, son of Johann Sebastian Bach, known for his symphonic and chamber works.
3. Nikos Kazantzakis (1883–1957) — Greek writer and philosopher, author of Zorba the Greek.
4. Upton Sinclair (1878–1968) — American novelist and social reformer, author of The Jungle.
5. Yves Montand (1921–1991) — Italian-French actor and singer noted for his political activism and stage performances.
6. Clementine Churchill (1885–1977) — Wife of Winston Churchill and a prominent philanthropist.
7. Fidel Castro (1926–2016) — Cuban revolutionary and political leader who shaped the nation for over five decades.
8. Jeanne Moreau (1928–2017) — French actress, singer, and icon of New Wave cinema.
9. George Best (1946–2005) — Northern Irish footballer regarded as one of the greatest players in the sport’s history.

Holidays

• International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women (UN) — Raises awareness and promotes action to end violence against women and girls worldwide.
• Teachers’ Day (Indonesia) — Honors the contributions of teachers to education and society.
• Evacuation Day (New York, USA) — Commemorates the departure of the last British troops in 1783 after the American Revolution.
• Saint Catherine’s Day (France & Canada) — Celebrates the patron saint of unmarried women, marked by traditional festivities.
• Thanksgiving (variable U.S.) — Often observed around this time, emphasizing gratitude and family unity.

Fun Facts

• The Mousetrap by Agatha Christie has been running continuously in London since 1952 — with over 28,000 performances.
• Alfred Nobel’s invention of dynamite inadvertently inspired his later creation of the Nobel Prizes as a means to promote peace.
• Karl Benz’s first automobile, the Benz Patent-Motorwagen, debuted in 1886 and reached a top speed of about 10 mph.
• The Band Aid charity single sold over 11 million copies and inspired Live Aid and We Are the World.
• Fidel Castro’s 2016 death was announced on Cuban state television by his brother Raúl Castro, ending a 57-year political era.