November 28

On 11 November 1582, William Shakespeare and his bride Anne Hathaway bypassed the traditional three-week posting of wedding banns by posting a £40 bond in Stratford-upon-Avon. This sizeable sum allowed an immediate marriage license, reflecting social and legal customs of Elizabethan England. The union joined Shakespeare to a local family of farmers and may have influenced his later depictions of rural life. Although documentation of their ceremony is sparse, this event marks a pivotal moment in the playwright’s personal history. Scholars continue to examine the marriage’s impact on Shakespeare’s work and its reflection of 16th-century matrimonial practices.

On November 28, 1893, New Zealand held its general election under the newly reformed electoral laws that extended voting rights to women. This historic change followed decades of campaigning led by suffragists such as Kate Sheppard and the National Council of Women. Over 350 petitions, containing more than 32,000 signatures, had convinced lawmakers of public support for female enfranchisement. As a result, New Zealand became the pioneer of universal suffrage at the national level, predating similar reforms in other nations by decades. Women’s turnout was high, demonstrating their eagerness to participate in civic life. The successful inclusion of women voters not only reshaped New Zealand politics but also inspired suffrage movements worldwide.

On November 28, 1920, representatives of war veterans organizations from five Allied nations met in Paris to found FIDAC (The Interallied Federation of War Veterans Organisations). This pioneering body aimed to foster solidarity, advocate for veterans' rights, and promote peace through international cooperation. FIDAC coordinated efforts on pensions, medical care, and social support for former service members of World War I. The federation also engaged in public diplomacy to prevent future conflicts. Over time, FIDAC expanded to include more countries and laid the groundwork for modern veterans' associations worldwide. Its formation highlighted the shared experiences of veterans and the need for cross-border collaboration in the postwar era.

Fred Quilt was arrested by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police on November 28, 1971, in British Columbia. He was accused of public intoxication and detained at a local RCMP detachment. According to witnesses, Quilt endured a severe beating that caused critical abdominal trauma. He succumbed to his injuries two days later, sparking outrage among Indigenous communities. The incident highlighted longstanding tensions between First Nations peoples and Canadian law enforcement. Calls for an independent inquiry underscored the need for police accountability and respect for Indigenous rights. Quilt's death became a rallying point in the fight for justice and reform in Canada's treatment of Indigenous detainees.