November 14

Events

332 BC

Alexander the Great is crowned pharaoh of Egypt.

In 332 BC, Alexander the Great is crowned pharaoh of Egypt, solidifying his rule over the former Persian territory.
In 332 BC, after defeating Persian forces, Alexander the Great enters Egypt and is hailed as a liberator. He is formally crowned pharaoh, blending Macedonian and Egyptian traditions. His coronation marks Egypt’s integration into his burgeoning empire. Alexander honors local customs by adopting Egyptian royal rituals. This event paves the way for the foundation of Alexandria, a city that will become a center of Hellenistic culture. His reign ushers in a period of economic and cultural fusion that influences the Mediterranean world for centuries.
332 BC Alexander the Great pharaoh Egypt
1680day.year

German astronomer Gottfried Kirch discovers the Great Comet of 1680, the first comet to be discovered by telescope.

In 1680, German astronomer Gottfried Kirch discovers the Great Comet of 1680, the first comet observed through a telescope.
On November 14, 1680, Gottfried Kirch spots a bright comet with his telescope, marking the first telescopic discovery of its kind. The comet, later known as Kirch’s Comet, displayed a luminous head and a long tail visible to the naked eye. Kirch’s observation advances the study of celestial bodies and underscores the power of telescopic astronomy. His findings are published in the Royal Society’s Philosophical Transactions. The event inspires further comet hunts and cements Kirch’s reputation as a pioneer in observational astronomy.
1680 Gottfried Kirch Great Comet of 1680 comet
1770day.year

James Bruce discovers what he believes to be the source of the Nile.

In 1770 explorer James Bruce claims to have found what he believes is the source of the Nile River, expanding European understanding of Africa’s major waterway.
Scottish traveler James Bruce undertakes a journey into Ethiopia’s highlands in search of the Nile’s origins. On November 14, 1770, he identifies sources near Lake Tana and reports them as the river’s beginnings. Bruce’s accounts, while later debated, offer vivid descriptions of local cultures and landscapes. His expedition challenges prevailing theories about Africa’s geography and contributes to the Enlightenment era’s spirit of exploration. The published narrative sparks curiosity and debate across Europe regarding the continent’s natural history.
1770 James Bruce Nile
1812day.year

Napoleonic Wars: At the Battle of Smoliani, French Marshals Victor and Oudinot are defeated by the Russians under General Peter Wittgenstein.

During the Napoleonic Wars in 1812, French Marshals Victor and Oudinot are defeated by Russian General Peter Wittgenstein at the Battle of Smoliani.
On November 14, 1812, amidst Napoleon’s retreat from Russia, French forces under Marshals Louis-Nicolas Victor and Nicolas Oudinot clash with Russian troops led by General Peter Wittgenstein. The battle takes place near Smoliani in present-day Belarus. Wittgenstein’s defensive tactics and knowledge of the terrain force the French into a disorganized retreat. The defeat further weakens Napoleon’s Grande Armée and hampers efforts to regroup. This engagement exemplifies the harsh conditions and strategic challenges of the 1812 campaign, contributing to the eventual collapse of the invasion.
1812 Napoleonic Wars Battle of Smoliani Victor Oudinot Peter Wittgenstein
1851day.year

Moby-Dick, a novel by Herman Melville, is published in the USA.

Herman Melville’s novel Moby-Dick is published in the United States, introducing the epic tale of Captain Ahab’s obsession with the great white whale.
On November 14, 1851, Herman Melville’s Moby-Dick is released in the United States by Harper & Brothers. Through the eyes of Ishmael, the novel immerses readers in the world of 19th-century whaling and the depths of the human psyche. Captain Ahab’s pursuit of the white whale embodies themes of obsession, revenge, and man versus nature. Though initial reviews are divided, the book’s profound symbolism and narrative complexity gain recognition over time. Moby-Dick eventually secures its place as a towering achievement in American literature, inspiring countless adaptations and studies.
1851 Moby-Dick Herman Melville
1889day.year

Pioneering female journalist Nellie Bly (aka Elizabeth Cochrane) begins a successful attempt to travel around the world in less than 80 days. She completes the trip in 72 days.

In 1889, pioneering journalist Nellie Bly sets out to circumnavigate the globe in under 80 days, completing her journey in a record 72 days.
On November 14, 1889, Elizabeth Cochrane, writing under the pen name Nellie Bly, departs New York City for a global voyage. Sponsored by the New York World, she aims to outdo the fictional record in Jules Verne’s Around the World in Eighty Days. Bly travels by steamer, train, and rickshaw through Europe, Asia, and the Pacific. Facing storms, revolutions, and changing schedules, she completes her trip in a record-setting 72 days. Her success captures international headlines and transforms journalism, showcasing the potential of stunt reporting and the capabilities of a determined woman in a male-dominated era.
1889 Nellie Bly
1910day.year

Aviator Eugene Burton Ely performs the first takeoff from a ship in Hampton Roads, Virginia, taking off from a makeshift deck on the USS Birmingham in a Curtiss pusher.

Aviator Eugene Burton Ely performs the first aircraft takeoff from a ship, launching from a makeshift deck on USS Birmingham in 1910.
On November 14, 1910, Eugene Burton Ely achieves the first-ever airplane takeoff from a ship at Hampton Roads, Virginia. He uses a Curtiss pusher aircraft and a temporary deck built on the USS Birmingham. This groundbreaking flight demonstrates the feasibility of shipborne aviation and foreshadows the development of aircraft carriers. Ely’s daring experiment gains widespread attention and sparks naval interest in integrating aviation technology. Though rudimentary, the takeoff represents a pivotal moment in the evolution of naval and aviation warfare.
1910 Aviator Eugene Burton Ely takeoff Hampton Roads Virginia USS Birmingham Curtiss pusher
1914day.year

The Joensuu City Hall, designed by Eliel Saarinen, was inaugurated in Joensuu, Finland.

The Joensuu City Hall in Finland, designed by Eliel Saarinen, is inaugurated, showcasing early 20th-century Art Nouveau architecture.
On November 14, 1914, the new City Hall of Joensuu opens its doors in Eastern Finland. Designed by Finnish architect Eliel Saarinen, the building features Art Nouveau elements and robust masonry construction. It serves as the administrative heart of the city and a symbol of Finnish national identity during a turbulent pre–World War I era. Saarinen’s design balances functionality with artistic flourish, influencing Nordic architecture. The inauguration attracts local dignitaries and cements the hall’s status as an architectural landmark in Finland.
1914 Joensuu City Hall Eliel Saarinen Joensuu Finland
1918day.year

The Provisional National Assembly of the new republic of Czechoslovakia meets to devise a constitution.

The Provisional National Assembly of Czechoslovakia convenes to draft a constitution for the new republic following the collapse of the Austro-Hungarian Empire in 1918.
On November 14, 1918, representatives of the newly independent Czechoslovakia meet in Prague for the first session of the Provisional National Assembly. Led by figures like Tomáš Garrigue Masaryk, they begin the process of creating a democratic constitution. The assembly debates issues of national identity, minority rights, and the division of powers. This foundational meeting marks the birth of Czechoslovakia as a sovereign state in the aftermath of World War I. The assembly’s work sets the legal and political framework that will guide the nation through its formative years.
1918 Czechoslovakia
1920day.year

Pesäpallo, the Finnish version of baseball developed by Lauri Pihkala, is played for the first time at Kaisaniemi Park in Helsinki.

The Finnish sport Pesäpallo, a unique variant of baseball created by Lauri Pihkala, is played for the first time at Kaisaniemi Park in Helsinki in 1920.
On November 14, 1920, players gather in Helsinki’s Kaisaniemi Park to compete in the inaugural game of Pesäpallo. Developed by educator Lauri Pihkala, the game modifies traditional baseball rules to suit Finnish climate and culture. With a vertical pitching style and distinctive scoring system, Pesäpallo quickly captivates local audiences. The sport fosters community spirit and becomes Finland’s national pastime. Its introduction reflects broader trends in physical education and national identity formation in the early 20th century.
1920 Pesäpallo baseball Lauri Pihkala Kaisaniemi Park Helsinki
1921day.year

The Communist Party of Spain is founded, and issues the first edition of Mundo obrero.

The Communist Party of Spain was founded on November 14, 1921, and published its first newspaper, Mundo obrero. This event marked the rise of communist ideology and organized labor in Spain.
On November 14, 1921, in Madrid, a group of activists formally established the Communist Party of Spain (PCE) to advance workers’ rights and socialist ideals. The same day, they published the inaugural issue of Mundo obrero, their official newspaper that became the party’s voice. Mundo obrero covered labor disputes, union activities, and socialist theory, quickly gaining a dedicated readership. The PCE’s formation occurred against a backdrop of post–World War I social unrest and growing discontent with the monarchy. Despite facing suppression under various regimes, the party managed to expand its membership through grassroots organization. During the Spanish Civil War, the PCE played a significant role in the Republican government and resistance efforts. Although banned under Franco’s dictatorship, the PCE persisted clandestinely until Spain’s transition to democracy. Today, the PCE is recognized as one of the oldest political parties in the country, with its origins traceable to this historic founding event.
1921 Communist Party of Spain
1922day.year

The British Broadcasting Company begins radio service in the United Kingdom.

The British Broadcasting Company began its first radio transmissions in the United Kingdom on November 14, 1922. This milestone launched what would become the BBC’s enduring broadcast legacy.
On November 14, 1922, the newly formed British Broadcasting Company (BBC) commenced its inaugural radio service, transmitting from London’s Marconi House. Under the leadership of its first general manager, John Reith, the BBC offered scheduled news bulletins, music programs, and live talks to listeners across the UK. The broadcasts quickly gained popularity, establishing radio as a vital medium for information and entertainment in British households. The company’s commitment to 'inform, educate, and entertain' laid the foundations for its future public service ethos. Within months, additional transmitters were activated in Birmingham and Manchester, expanding the network’s reach. In 1927, the BBC received a Royal Charter, transforming into the British Broadcasting Corporation as a public service broadcaster. This initial venture on November 14, 1922, set the stage for the BBC’s global reputation and its ongoing role in shaping mass media and culture.
1922 British Broadcasting Company