NOVEMBER
1st
In 1848, the first medical school for women, The Boston Female Medical School, opened in Boston, Massachusetts. It was founded by Samuel Gregory with just twelve students. In 1874, the school merged with the Boston University School of Medicine, becoming one of the first co-ed medical schools.
Beginning November 1 and lasting until the 30, November is National American Indian Heritage Month which celebrates and recognizes the accomplishments of the USA’s original inhabitants, explorers, and settlers, as well as recognizes the many soldiers and veterans who have fought for American freedom in various wars. President George H.W. Bush declared November the National American Indian Heritage Month in 1990 to express the pride of the United States over the lasting contributions American Indians continue to make, benefitting our nation for many years to come.
2nd
In 1954, Charles Cole Diggs Jr. (December 2, 1922 - August 24, 1998) was elected Michigan's 1st black congressman. Diggs was an early member of the civil rights movement.
In 1983, President Ronald Reagan signed a bill establishing Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day as a national holiday.
3rd
Reverend John Eliot became the first Protestant minister in America to dedicate himself to the religious conversion of Indians. He arrived in Boston from England in 1631, and settled in Roxbury, which today is a part of the city of Boston. He began preaching to the Indians in 1646, and came to be known as the Apostle of the Indians.
November 3 is Ashura, a holiday recognized by Muslims, to mark the martyrdom of Hussain. It also commemorates the day Noah left the ark, and Moses was saved from the Egyptians by God.
4th
Patricia Bath was born on November 4, 1942 in Harlem, New York. Bath is the first African American to complete a residency in ophthalmology in 1973, and the first African American female doctor to receive a medical patent. Additionally, she co-founded the American Institute for the Prevention of Blindness. Bath also invented the Laserphaco Probe in 1986, improving cataract treatment for patients.
In 2008, Barack Obama became the first African-American to be elected President of the United States.
5th
Women's suffrage was provided for in the constitution of Utah, and became effective January 4, 1896. Utah was the second state to give women the right to vote.
In 1935, the Maryland Court of Appeals ordered the University of Maryland to admit Donald Murray, a black man, to the college.
6th
In 1956, Dalip Singh Saund, active in the Democratic Party in California, (September 20, 1889 - April 22, 1973) was the first Asian American elected to a seat in the U.S. Congress.
In 2012, President Barack Obama was re-elected as President of the United States.
7th
First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt died in New York City on November 7, 1962. She was an American politician, holding press conferences during her four terms as First Lady, writing a syndicated newspaper column, and speaking at national conventions. She was one of the first delegates from the United States to the United Nations, and helped draft the Universal Declaration of Human rights. Roosevelt is regarded as one of the most esteemed and universally respected women in the world.
Billy Graham, an American evangelical Christian evangelist, was born on November 7, 1918. He rose to celebrity status in the late 1940's and early 1950's with his radio and TV broadcasts, and large outside revivals. He was a spiritual advisor for several US presidents, and supported the Civil Rights Movement, bailing out Martin Luther King, Jr. from jail in the 1960's when he was arrested during civil rights marches and protests. Graham has appeared on the Gallup Poll as the Most Admired Man fifty-five times. His ministry is continued by his children and grandchildren today.
8th
Martha Layne Collins (born December 7, 1936), was elected on November 8, 1983 as the first woman governor of Kentucky.
W. Wilson Goode (born August 19, 1938), was elected on November 8, 1983 as the first black mayor of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
9th
November 9, 1731, marks the birth of Benjamin Banneker, a self-educated man, taught to read by his white grandmother. He was a noteworthy mathematician and astronomer who accurately forecasted lunar and solar eclipses. His most notable achievement was writing almanacs that included his own astronomical calculations and literature. Banneker also fought the issue of slavery which earned him widespread support from the abolitionist societies in Maryland and Pennsylvania and help publishing both of his almanacs. Banneker died October 25, 1806.
In 2013, Jewish people across the European Union continued to face insults, discrimination, harassment, and even physical violence which, despite efforts by the European Union and its Member States, showed no signs of fading into the past. Although many important rights are guaranteed legally, widespread and long-standing prejudice continued to hinder the Jewish people’s chances to enjoy these rights in reality.
10th
Martin Luther was born on November 10, 1493 and is known as one of the most influential, and often controversial, figures in the Reformation Movement. Luther worked his entire life to bring people closer to God, which led him to translate the Bible into the language of the people. This changed the relationship between church leaders and their followers forever.
In 1938 a Nobel Peace Prize for literature was awarded to Pearl Buck (June 26, 1892 – March 6, 1973) for her book Good Earth. Born in South Carolina, Pearl spent most of her life in China where her parents were missionaries. However, she did attend college in the United States, and became a renowned author. Pearl Buck was active in many welfare organizations; in particular she set up an agency for the adoption of Asian-American children (Welcome House, Inc.) and took active interest in children with special needs in her book The Child Who Never Grew.
11th
Veterans Day is an annual American holiday, honoring military veterans. It is both a federal holiday and state holiday in all of the fifty states. U.S. President Woodrow Wilson first proclaimed an Armistice Day on November 11, 1919. In 1938, the United States Congress made the 11th day of November a legal holiday to be celebrated and known as "Armistice Day." Congress amended this act in 1954, replacing "Armistice" with "Veterans," and since, the holiday has been known as Veterans Day.
In 1925, Louis Armstrong (August 4, 1901 – July 6, 1971) recorded the first of the Hot Five and Hot Seven recordings. Armstrong was an iconic trumpet player, singer, soloist, and film star, and is often considered one of the most influential artists in jazz history.
12th
Elizabeth Cady Stanton, was born on November 12, 1815, and an active leader of the Woman’s Rights Movement. She wrote the Declaration of Sentiments which was a revolutionary call for the rights of women. She was also the president of the National Woman Suffrage Association for 20 years, working closely with Susan B. Anthony. Stanton died October 26, 1902.
November 12 1817 marks the birth of Baha’u’llah (“Glory GOD”), a day on which members of the Baha’i faith celebrate the birthday of the founder of the Baha’i religion, Baha'u'llah. Baha’u’llah claimed to be a messenger from God and taught his followers there is only one God in all the religions of the world, and it was time for all peoples to recognize this and unite. Baha’u’llah died May 29, 1892.
13th
On November 13, 1956, the United States Supreme Court ruled that segregation on city buses was unconstitutional and was a violation of the equal protection clause of the 14th Amendment to the US Constitution. The defendants were represented by the lawyers Thurgood Marshall (who later became the first African-American on the Supreme Court), Robert L. Carter, Fred D. Gray and Charles D. Langford. The implementation of the Supreme Court's decision on the desegregation of buses officially took effect on December 20, 1956. Rosa Parks had finally won her battle.
In 1982, the National Vietnam War Memorial in Washington, D.C. was dedicated after a march to its site by thousands of Vietnam War veterans. The memorial wall was designed by Chinese American Maya Lin, who was 21 years old at the time.
14th
In 1889, a newspaper reporter (known for her undercover reporting) named Nellie Bly, set out from New York in an attempt to turn the fictional Around the World in Eighty Days into fact for the first time. Bly completed her 24,899 mile journey by steamboat and railroad in 72 days. Nellie Bly was born on May 5, 1864 and died January 27, 1922
In 1960, Ray Charles, a talented pioneer of soul music including R&B, gospel, pop, and country, went to the top of the music charts and earned his first Grammy Award with his song “Georgia on My Mind”. Some of his other greatest hits include “Unchain my Heart” and “Hit the Road Jack.” Charles was born on September 23, 1930 and died June 10, 2004.
15th
In 1939, the US Social Security Administration approved the first unemployment check. These checks helped the 17.2% of the American people who were unemployed due to the economic recession and Great Depression.
In 1940, Arthur Dorrington was the first African American to sign a hockey contract. He signed with the Atlantic City Seagulls of Eastern Amateur Hockey League.
16th
November 16th celebrates the United Nations International Day for Tolerance which is annually and globally observed to educate people about the need for tolerance and its negative effects on society. This day is set aside to learn about, respect, and recognize the rights and beliefs of others.
On November 16, 1907, President Theodore Roosevelt welcomed Oklahoma into the United States after Congress decided to admit the Indian Territory and Oklahoma Territory into the Union as one state and allow all Indians in the state to become US citizens.
17th
Eugene Paul Wigner, a Hungarian American, was born on November 17, 1902. He was a theoretical physicist and mathematician, who received a share of the Nobel Peace Prize in Physics. He is most noted for his research on the structure of the atomic nucleus. Wigner died on January 1, 1995.
Winson Hudson, an American civil rights activist, was born November 17, 1916 in Carthage, Mississippi. She was Vice President of the NAACP and selected as one of three black leaders from the southern states to have lunch with President Jimmy Carter. Hudson was also awarded the Distinguished Service Award for Outstanding Community Service from the Mississippi governor. She worked her entire life to help others, especially African Americans. Hudson died on May 1, 2004.
18th
Korean Peace Talks - Nov. 18th, 1953: An effort was made to assign neutral representatives during the Korean Peace Conference. U.S. Envoy Arthur H. Dean learned the communist’s intended for countries such as India, Russia, Indonesia, Pakistan, and Burma to be involved in the peace talks as the neutral parties.
In 2008, President Obama appointed Eric Holder as Attorney-General, the first African-American to occupy the position. He was also instructed to lead the President’s plan to close Guantanamo Bay.
19th
In 1620, the passengers aboard the Mayflower, reached Cape Cod and began exploring the Atlantic coast.
In 1805, famous expedition explorers, Lewis and Clark, reached the Pacific Ocean, becoming the first European Americans to cross the continent.
US President Abraham Lincoln delivered his famous Gettysburg address beginning “Four score and seven years ago” on November 19, 1863.
20th
November 20th is Transgender Day of Remembrance, a day established in 1998 to memorialize those who have been killed as a result of transphobia. The day raises awareness of the continued violence endured by the transgender community.
Robert F. Kennedy was born on November 20, 1925. He was a US senator and appointed Attorney General after his brother, John F. Kennedy, became President. As Attorney General, he fought organized crime, and worked for civil rights for African Americans. While in the Senate, he was committed to advocate for the poor and racial minorities. However, in 196, Kennedy was assassinated at the age of forty-two.
21st
In 1977, African American Walter Peyton (July 25-1954 – November 1, 1999), a running back for the Chicago Bears, rushed for an NFL record of 275 yards.
In 1977, Orioles first baseman, African American Eddie Murray (February 24, 1956), won the American League Rookie of Year. Murray currently ranks fourth in team history in both games played and hits.
22nd
In 1930 Elijah Muhammad forms the Nation of Islam in Detroit, Michigan.
The first interracial kiss on television took place on Star Trek in1968 between William Shatner (Captain Kirk) and Nichelle Nichols (Uhura).
In 1972, the United States ended a twenty-two year travel ban to China.
23rd
In 2005, Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf (October 29, 1938 to present) was elected President of Liberia. She is the first woman to lead an African country.
In 1980, the National Black Independent Party was formally created at the Party’s Founding Convention in Philadelphia. The gathering was set purposely on the 150th anniversary of the first black political convention.
24th
In 1957, African American Jim Brown (February 17, 1936), a fullback for the Cleveland Browns, set the club record of 237 rushing yards.
In 1971, African American Earl Williams (July 14, 1948 – January 28, 2013), a catcher and infielder for the Braves, won the National League’s rookie of the Year Award for the catcher position, even though he had never played catcher in the minor leagues. His story reminds everyone that a person can do anything they set their mind to and realize a dream.
25th
In 1999, the United Nations General Assembly designated November 25th as the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women.
Solanus Casey was born November 25, 1870. He was an American Capuchin friar and priest who was known during his lifetime as a wonderworker. He was the first US born man to be declared venerable by the Roman Catholic Church and now is one step closer to becoming a saint. It is said that many miraculous cures have been associated with Solanus’s intercession. He was known for his great faith, humility, and role as a spiritual counselor and intercessor.
26th
Dorothy and Fred Cordova founded the Filipino-American National Historical Society on November 26, 1982, a community-based organization whose mission is “to promote understanding, education, enlightenment, appreciation, and enrichment through the identification, gathering, preservation, and dissemination of the history and culture of Filipino Americans in the United States” with the goal “ to preserve, document, and present Filipino American history and to support scholarly research and artistic works which reflect that rich past.”
George Washington declared November 26, 1989 as the first national Thanksgiving in the United States.
27th
Bruce Lee, an Asian American, was born November 27, 1940 in Chinatown, San Francisco. He is well known as a Hong Kong marital artist and instructor, a film maker and actor, and is considered one of the most influential martial artists of all time. During his lifetime, he changed the way Asians were presented in American films.
In 2014, Thanksgiving Day will be held in the United States on November 27, as it is always on the last Thursday of November. Thanksgiving today is celebrated as a day of giving thanks for the many blessings of the harvest.
28th
Eric Shinseki was born November 28, 1942. He was the first Asian American four-star United States Army general, and the first Asian American United States Secretary of Veterans Affairs from 2009-2014. Shinseki is a veteran of two tours of combat in the Vietnam War, and the recipient of three Bronze Stars for valor and two Purple Hearts.
In 1961, Ernest Davis (December 14, 1939 - May 18, 1963) became the first African American football player to win the Heisman Trophy. His other achievements include being a three time All American halfback, an inductee in the College Football Hall of Fame, and the first African American athlete to be chosen first overall in the NFL Draft.
29th
In 1975, President Ford required all states to provide free education for people with physical disabilities.
Dorothy Day (November 8, 1897 - November 29, 1980), was an activist and true female American leader who worked for social causes such as pacifism and women’s suffrage through the Catholic Church. Day was arrested on many occasions for her involvement in protests, and in 1917, went on a hunger strike after being jailed for demonstrating for the voting rights of women in front of the White House. Additionally, Day was a writer and editor for The Catholic Worker which she co-founded with Peter Maurin.
30th
Andrés Bonifacio y de Castro (November 30, 1863 - May 10, 1897) was a Filipino nationalist and revolutionary. . He is often called "the father of the Philippine Revolution", and was the founder and supreme leader of Katipunan, a movement which sought the independence of the Philippines from Spanish colonial rule during the Philippine Revolution. He is a national hero in the Philippines, and is considered by some Filipino historians to be the first President of the Philippines for the revolutionary government he established.
Gertrude Ederle (October 23, 1906 - November 30, 2003) was an American competitive swimmer. In 1926, she became the first woman to swim across the English Channel. She trained and was a member of the Women's Swimming Association since the age of fifteen. Gertrude began to break and establish more amateur swimming records than any other woman in the world, despite poor hearing caused by the measles as a child. Ederle was completely deaf by the 1940's. She spent the rest of her life in service, teaching swimming to deaf children.
Linda Bove, born on November 30, 1945, is a thriving deaf American actress who played the part of Linda the Librarian on the children's television program Sesame Street from 1971 to 2003. Her role as Linda on Sesame Street is currently the longest recurring role in television history for a deaf person. Bove introduced thousands of children to sign language and issues surrounding the Deaf Community, making a significant impact in their lives her kind diligence. Bove is married to Ed Waterstreet who is also deaf.
Shirley Chisholm became the first African American congresswoman in 1968, representing New York State in the U.S. House of Representatives for seven terms. She went on to run for the 1972 Democratic nomination for the presidency, the first major-party African-American candidate to do so. During her political career, Chisholm fought for educational opportunities and social justice. Chisholm left Congress in 1983 to teach. She died in Florida in 2005 at the age of 80.