From presidential elections to scientific breakthroughs, political firsts and entertainment milestones, this week in history is filled with moments that changed the course of nations and shaped the modern world. Here’s a look at the events that made headlines in years past during this week in November.
November 6
- 1860: Abraham Lincoln was elected the 16th President of the United States, defeating three opponents in a four-way race and setting the stage for the Civil War.
- 1861: Jefferson Davis was elected President of the Confederate States of America after serving as its provisional leader earlier that year.
November 7
- 1916: Jeannette Rankin of Montana became the first woman elected to the U.S. Congress, four years before women gained the right to vote nationwide.
November 8
- 1895: German physicist Wilhelm Conrad Röntgen discovered X-rays while experimenting with electrical currents, leading to a revolution in medical imaging.
- 1942: Allied forces landed in French North Africa in Operation Torch, marking a key turning point in World War II.
November 9
- 1989: The Berlin Wall opened after 28 years, allowing East and West Germans to cross freely — a defining moment in the end of the Cold War.
November 10
- 1775: The United States Marine Corps was founded in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
- 1969: “Sesame Street” premiered on public television, introducing Big Bird, Oscar the Grouch, and a new era of children’s education.
November 11
- 1918: World War I ended with the signing of the Armistice, now commemorated as Veterans Day in the United States and Remembrance Day around the world.
November 12
- 1954: Ellis Island, the gateway for more than 12 million immigrants to the U.S., officially closed its doors after 62 years of operation.
