November 28 marks a date of significant historical moments across centuries. From the founding of Cartagena as an essential Spanish port in 1533 to New Zealand’s groundbreaking step toward women’s suffrage in 1893, the day reflects diverse global impacts. Notable figures were born and passed, and cultural milestones emerged. What other events shaped this date? Uncover the layers of history waiting to be explored.
History
Major Historical Events
1533 – Founding of Cartagena: On this day, the Spanish explorer Pedro de Heredia founded the city of Cartagena, now located in modern-day Colombia.
Named after the Spanish city of Cartagena, it became a key port for the Spanish Empire.
It played a significant role in the colonial trade of gold and silver, though it also became a center for the slave trade during that era.
1893 – Women Vote in New Zealand: November 28 marked a historic milestone as women in New Zealand voted in a national election for the first time.
It followed the passage of the Electoral Act earlier that year.
This made New Zealand the first self-governing country in the world to grant women the right to vote, a groundbreaking step toward gender equality.
1912 – Albania Declares Independence: On this date, Albania declared its independence from the Ottoman Empire during the First Balkan War.
The declaration was made in the town of Vlorë, led by Ismail Qemali.
It marked the end of nearly five centuries of Ottoman rule and the beginning of Albania’s journey as a sovereign nation.
1943 – Tehran Conference Begins: During World War II, the Tehran Conference commenced on November 28.
It brought together the “Big Three” Allied leaders—U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt, British Prime Minister Winston Churchill, and Soviet Premier Joseph Stalin.
Held in the Iranian capital, this pivotal meeting focused on coordinating strategies against Nazi Germany and planning for the post-war world.
1960 – Mauritania Gains Independence: On this day, Mauritania achieved independence from France, becoming a sovereign nation in West Africa.
Led by Moktar Ould Daddah, who became its first president, Mauritania joined the wave of African decolonization in the mid-20th century.
It faced significant challenges in uniting its diverse population.
Famous Birthdays
1757 – William Blake: The visionary English poet, painter, and printmaker William Blake was born on this day in London.
Known for his profound and mystical works such as “Songs of Innocence and of Experience” and “The Marriage of Heaven and Hell,” Blake’s contributions to Romanticism remain influential in both literature and art.
1820 – Friedrich Engels: German philosopher and social scientist Friedrich Engels, a close collaborator of Karl Marx, was born on November 28 in Barmen, Prussia.
Co-author of “The Communist Manifesto,” Engels played a pivotal role in shaping Marxist theory and advocating for workers’ rights during the Industrial Revolution.
1950 – Ed Harris: American actor and filmmaker Ed Harris was born on this day in Englewood, New Jersey.
Renowned for his intense and versatile performances in films like “Apollo 13,” “The Truman Show,” and “Pollock,” for which he also directed, Harris has earned multiple Academy Award nominations over his illustrious career.
1962 – Jon Stewart: Comedian, writer, and television host Jon Stewart was born on November 28 in New York City.
Best known for hosting “The Daily Show” from 1999 to 2015, Stewart became a cultural icon for his sharp political satire and commentary, influencing public discourse on critical issues.
1984 – Mary Elizabeth Winstead: American actress Mary Elizabeth Winstead was born on this day in Rocky Mount, North Carolina.
Recognized for her roles in films such as “Scott Pilgrim vs. the World,” “10 Cloverfield Lane,” and the “Birds of Prey” superhero movie, she has built a reputation for portraying strong, dynamic characters.
Notable Deaths
1859 – Washington Irving: American author Washington Irving passed away on this day at the age of 76 in Tarrytown, New York.
Celebrated for his short stories like “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” and “Rip Van Winkle,” Irving was one of the first American writers to gain international fame, shaping early American literature.
1939 – James Naismith: Canadian-American physical educator James Naismith, the inventor of basketball, died on November 28 at the age of 78 in Lawrence, Kansas.
Having created the sport in 1891 as a way to keep athletes active indoors, Naismith’s legacy endures through the global popularity of basketball.
1994 – Jeffrey Dahmer: Infamous American serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer was murdered on this day by a fellow inmate while serving a life sentence in a Wisconsin prison.
Known for his gruesome crimes in the 1980s and early 1990s, Dahmer’s death marked the end of a dark chapter in criminal history.
Today in Music History
1964 – Willie Nelson’s Debut Performance at Grand Ole Opry: On this day, country music legend Willie Nelson made his first appearance at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, Tennessee.
This performance marked an early milestone in Nelson’s career, though he would later become more associated with the “outlaw country” movement, breaking away from traditional Nashville norms.
1974 – John Lennon’s Last Concert Appearance: John Lennon made his final live concert appearance on November 28 at Madison Square Garden in New York City, joining Elton John on stage.
Performing songs like “Whatever Gets You Thru the Night,” this unexpected cameo became a historic moment, as Lennon never performed live again before his tragic death in 1980.
1991 – Nirvana’s “Nevermind” Goes Platinum: On this date, Nirvana’s groundbreaking album “Nevermind” was certified platinum by the RIAA, signifying over one million copies sold in the United States.
Featuring the iconic single “Smells Like Teen Spirit,” the album redefined rock music and catapulted the grunge movement into the mainstream.
Today in Sports History
1929 – Ernie Nevers Sets NFL Record: On November 28, Chicago Cardinals fullback Ernie Nevers scored six touchdowns and kicked four extra points in a single game against the Chicago Bears.
This set an NFL record for most points scored by an individual in a game with 40 points.
The remarkable feat still stands as evidence of his athletic prowess.
1971 – First Women’s World Championship in Figure Skating: The first officially recognized Women’s World Championship in figure skating took place on this day as part of broader skating competitions.
Beatrix Schuba of Austria won the title, marking a significant moment in the sport’s history for recognizing women’s achievements on a global stage.
1998 – Vince Carter’s NBA Debut: On November 28, Vince Carter, one of basketball’s most electrifying players, made his NBA debut for the Toronto Raptors in a game against the Boston Celtics.
Known for his incredible dunks, Carter quickly became a fan favorite and later earned the nickname “Air Canada.”
Today in Military and Naval History
1814 – Battle of Pensacola Ends: On this day, the Battle of Pensacola concluded during the War of 1812, with American forces under General Andrew Jackson capturing the city from Spanish control in Florida.
Though Spain was not directly at war with the U.S., the battle aimed to prevent British use of the port.
It showcased Jackson’s strategic foresight.
1941 – USS Enterprise Departs Pearl Harbor: Just days before the infamous attack on Pearl Harbor, the USS Enterprise, a U.S. Navy aircraft carrier, departed the base on November 28 for a mission to deliver aircraft to Wake Island.
This departure meant the ship narrowly avoided the devastating Japanese attack on December 7, preserving a key asset for the Pacific Theater.
Today in Tech and Science History
1660 – Royal Society Founded: On this day, a group of natural philosophers, including Christopher Wren and Robert Boyle, met at Gresham College in London to establish the Royal Society.
It is one of the world’s oldest scientific institutions.
Dedicated to promoting scientific inquiry, the society became a cornerstone of modern science, supporting figures like Isaac Newton.
1907 – First American Car Dealership Opens: On November 28, the first American automobile dealership, the H. L. Arnold Company, opened in Buffalo, New York, selling Pierce-Arrow vehicles.
This event marked the beginning of a new era in the automotive industry.
Cars evolved from luxury items to more accessible consumer goods.
1967 – First Pulsar Discovered: British astronomers Jocelyn Bell Burnell and Antony Hewish detected the first pulsar, a rapidly rotating neutron star, on this day while analyzing radio telescope data at the University of Cambridge.
Initially dubbed “Little Green Men” due to its regular signals, this discovery revolutionized our understanding of stellar remnants.
Today in Art, Literature, and Culture
1905 – Irish Nationalist Party Sinn Féin Founded: On November 28, Arthur Griffith founded Sinn Féin in Dublin, a political party advocating for Irish independence from British rule.
Though initially focused on cultural and economic self-reliance, Sinn Féin later became a central force in Ireland’s revolutionary movement.
It shaped the nation’s identity.
1925 – Grand Ole Opry Begins Broadcasting: The Grand Ole Opry, a weekly country music radio program, aired its first broadcast on this day from Nashville, Tennessee, under the name “WSM Barn Dance.”
It quickly became a cultural institution, showcasing country music talent and preserving American musical heritage for generations.
1954 – Enrico Fermi Honored with Award: On November 28, Italian-American physicist Enrico Fermi received the first Fermi Award, established by the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission to recognize contributions to nuclear science.
Fermi, who played a key role in developing the first nuclear reactor, was celebrated for his groundbreaking work despite passing away later that day.
Funny & Weird Historical Facts
1895 – First American Automobile Race: On this day, the first organized automobile race in the United States took place in Chicago, sponsored by the Chicago Times-Herald.
Covering a grueling 54 miles in snowy conditions, only two of the six entrants finished.
Frank Duryea won in over 10 hours—an amusingly slow start to American motorsports.
1979 – Air New Zealand Flight 901 Crash: In a bizarre and tragic event, Air New Zealand Flight 901 crashed into Mount Erebus in Antarctica on November 28 during a sightseeing tour.
All 257 people on board perished in what became known as the “Mount Erebus Disaster.”
It was partly due to navigational errors and poor visibility, highlighting the risks of such unconventional flights.
Today in History for Kids
1893 – Women Vote in New Zealand: Imagine a time when only men could vote, but on November 28, New Zealand changed that forever!
Women got to help choose their leaders for the first time, showing the world that everyone’s voice matters.
It was like opening a door for fairness everywhere.
1660 – Royal Society Started: A long time ago, on this day, some super curious people in England started a club called the Royal Society to ask big questions about the world, like why things fall or what stars are made of.
Think of it as a science team that helped discover amazing things we learn about today!
1925 – Grand Ole Opry Begins: Picture a giant radio show full of singing and fiddles!
On November 28, the Grand Ole Opry started playing country music for everyone to hear in America.
It’s still around, like a musical party that never stops.
1967 – First Pulsar Found: On this day, scientists found a weird star called a pulsar that blinks super fast with radio waves.
It was like finding a lighthouse in space, helping us learn more about the universe.
How cool is that?
Today in History Trivia & Interesting Facts
1520 – Magellan’s Expedition Reaches the Pacific: On November 28, Ferdinand Magellan’s expedition became the first European voyage to reach the Pacific Ocean from the Atlantic via the strait now named after him in South America.
This incredible journey opened new routes for exploration, though Magellan himself did not survive to complete the circumnavigation.
1843 – Hawaii Recognized as Independent: On this day, the Kingdom of Hawaii was officially recognized as an independent nation by the United Kingdom and France through the Anglo-Franco Proclamation.
This acknowledgment marked a rare moment of sovereignty for Hawaii before its later annexation by the United States.
1919 – First Female Parliamentarian in Britain: Lady Nancy Astor became the first woman to take a seat in the British House of Commons on November 28, after winning a by-election.
Her historic entry paved the way for greater female representation in politics, though she faced significant challenges in a male-dominated environment.
1972 – Last Executions in Paris: On November 28, the last public executions by guillotine took place in Paris, France, marking the end of a centuries-old practice.
Though France did not fully abolish the death penalty until 1981, this event symbolized a shift toward more private and eventually abolished capital punishment.