On This Day in History – November 1

Major Events

1. 1755 – A massive earthquake and tsunami devastates Lisbon, Portugal, killing tens of thousands and destroying much of the city.
2. 1765 – The Stamp Act goes into effect in the British American colonies, fueling protests that would lead toward the American Revolution.
3. 1800 – John Adams becomes the first U.S. president to live in the White House.
4. 1848 – The first railway bookstall opens at London’s Euston Station, founded by WHSmith.
5. 1858 – Queen Victoria is proclaimed Empress of India, marking the end of East India Company rule.
6. 1911 – The first aerial bombing mission in history is carried out by an Italian pilot over Libya.
7. 1938 – Seabiscuit defeats War Admiral in a legendary horse race dubbed the “Race of the Century.”
8. 1952 – The United States tests the world’s first hydrogen bomb on Enewetak Atoll in the Pacific.
9. 1955 – United Airlines Flight 629 is destroyed midair by a bomb over Colorado, killing 44 people.
10. 1993 – The Maastricht Treaty comes into effect, officially establishing the European Union.
11. 1956 – British and French forces launch a major offensive during the Suez Crisis.
12. 1949 – Eastern Air Lines Flight 537 collides with a U.S. military jet near Washington, D.C., killing all on board.
13. 1512 – Michelangelo’s ceiling of the Sistine Chapel is unveiled to the public for the first time.
14. 1604 – William Shakespeare’s tragedy Othello is performed for the first time at Whitehall Palace in London.

Famous Birthdays

1. Caroline Still Anderson (1848–1919) – American physician and one of the first Black women doctors in the United States.
2. William Merritt Chase (1849–1916) – Influential American painter and teacher.
3. Stephen Crane (1871–1900) – American author of The Red Badge of Courage.
4. Terence Cuneo (1907–1996) – English painter known for his railway and military scenes.
5. Donald W. Kerst (1911–1992) – U.S. physicist and developer of the betatron accelerator.
6. Betsy Palmer (1926–2015) – American actress known for stage, film, and television roles.
7. Anthony Kiedis (born 1962) – American singer and lead vocalist of Red Hot Chili Peppers.
8. Jenny McCarthy (born 1972) – American actress, model, and television personality.
9. Aishwarya Rai Bachchan (born 1973) – Indian actress and Miss World 1994.
10. Alex Wolff (born 1997) – American actor, musician, and filmmaker.
11. Lyle Lovett (born 1957) – American singer-songwriter and actor.
12. Toni Collette (born 1972) – Australian actress and producer.
13. Tim Cook (born 1960) – CEO of Apple Inc.
14. Fernando Valenzuela (born 1960) – Mexican former Major League Baseball pitcher.

Notable Deaths

1. Alexander III of Russia (1845–1894) – Emperor of Russia who strengthened autocratic rule.
2. Theodor Mommsen (1817–1903) – German classical scholar and Nobel Prize-winning historian.
3. Pietro Badoglio (1871–1956) – Italian general and political leader.
4. Ezra Pound (1885–1972) – Influential American poet and critic.
5. Severo Ochoa (1905–1993) – Spanish-American biochemist and Nobel laureate.
6. King Vidor (1894–1982) – American film director and screenwriter.
7. Walter Payton (1954–1999) – Legendary American football running back.
8. Fred Thompson (1942–2015) – American politician, lawyer, and actor.
9. Takeoff (1994–2022) – American rapper and member of the hip-hop group Migos.

Holidays

• All Saints’ Day – Christian festival honoring all saints, known and unknown.
• World Vegan Day – International day promoting veganism and sustainable living.
• Karnataka Rajyotsava – State holiday in India celebrating the formation of Karnataka.
• Classics Day (Japan) – Observed to promote appreciation of classic literature and culture.
• National Author’s Day (USA) – A day honoring authors and the written word.

Fun Facts

1. The Sistine Chapel ceiling by Michelangelo was first revealed on November 1, 1512.
2. Shakespeare’s Othello debuted on this day in 1604.
3. The U.S. Weather Bureau (now the National Weather Service) began operations on November 1, 1870.
4. November 1 marks the anniversary of Seabiscuit’s legendary victory over War Admiral in 1938.
5. The Gregorian calendar reform was fully adopted by Catholic countries in early November 1582, shifting dates by ten days.