Discover what happened on November 14 in history as a daring journalist set out on an extraordinary journey, a young girl helped change American education, groundbreaking inventions transformed everyday life, and historic milestones in space exploration and Michigan’s automotive industry helped shape the modern world.
What Happened on November 14 in History?
On this day, Moby-Dick was published in America, Nellie Bly began her journey around the world, the first Dodge automobile was produced in Michigan, Ruby Bridges integrated a New Orleans elementary school, Apollo 12 launched toward the Moon, and Microsoft introduced the Zune music player.
NOVEMBER 14 – TODAY IN HISTORY:
1832 – The first horse-drawn streetcar began operating in New York City. Named the John Mason, the vehicle carried approximately 30 passengers along a route that included the Bowery and Fourth Avenue.
1851 – Herman Melville’s novel Moby-Dick; or, The Whale was published in the United States. Although initially receiving mixed reviews, it eventually became one of the most celebrated works in American literature.
1857 – The first gas light was illuminated in Grand Rapids, Michigan, by the Grand Rapids Gas Light Company, marking an important step in the city’s transition to modern street and building lighting.
1881 – The trial of Charles J. Guiteau began in Washington, D.C., for the assassination of President James A. Garfield. Guiteau was convicted and executed the following year.
1886 – German inventor Friedrich Soennecken patented an early paper hole punch, introducing a spring-loaded mechanism that made it easier to punch holes in stacks of paper.
1889 – Journalist Nellie Bly set off from New York City on a journey around the world, hoping to beat the fictional 80-day record from Jules Verne’s famous novel. Traveling with only a small handbag and the clothes she was wearing, she completed the trip in just 72 days.
1914 – Brothers John and Horace Dodge produced their first Dodge automobile at their factory in Hamtramck, Michigan, launching a brand that would become one of America’s best-known automakers.
1922 – The British Broadcasting Company began daily radio broadcasts from London station 2LO, marking the beginning of what would become one of the world’s most influential broadcasting organizations.
1960 – Six-year-old Ruby Bridges became the first Black child to attend the previously all-white William Frantz Elementary School in New Orleans, Louisiana, escorted by federal marshals.
1967 – American physicist Theodore Maiman, who developed the world’s first working laser in 1960, received a patent related to his pioneering ruby laser technology.
1968 – Yale University announced that it would begin admitting women as undergraduate students, ending more than 250 years as an all-male undergraduate institution.
1969 – NASA launched Apollo 12, America’s second crewed mission to land on the Moon. The Saturn V rocket was struck by lightning twice shortly after liftoff, but the astronauts continued their journey.
1972 – The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed above 1,000 points for the first time in history, finishing the trading day at 1,003.16.
1973 – Princess Anne, daughter of Queen Elizabeth II, married Captain Mark Phillips at Westminster Abbey in London, in a ceremony watched by millions of television viewers.
1979 – President Jimmy Carter ordered a freeze on Iranian government assets held in U.S. banks and financial institutions abroad in response to the ongoing hostage crisis at the American embassy in Tehran.
1991 – A former postal employee opened fire at a post office in Royal Oak, Michigan, killing four people and wounding five others before dying by suicide.
1993 – Michael Jackson announced that he was seeking treatment for an addiction to prescription painkillers, temporarily stepping away from his international concert tour.
1995 – A budget dispute between President Bill Clinton and Congress triggered a partial federal government shutdown, closing national parks, museums, and numerous government services.
1997 – Ground was broken for construction of M-6, the freeway that would eventually connect Interstate 96 and Interstate 196 south of Grand Rapids, Michigan.
2001 – The Bernie Mac Show, starring comedian Bernie Mac, premiered on the Fox television network. The sitcom would go on to win a Peabody Award and receive critical acclaim.
2006 – Casino Royale premiered in London, introducing Daniel Craig as James Bond and launching a grittier new era for the long-running spy franchise.
2006 – Microsoft launched the Zune portable music player in the United States, hoping to challenge Apple’s wildly popular iPod.
2007 – A Las Vegas judge ordered O.J. Simpson and two co-defendants to stand trial on charges stemming from an armed confrontation involving sports memorabilia dealers two months earlier.
2008 – Leaders of the world’s major economies gathered in Washington, D.C., for the first G-20 leaders’ summit, seeking coordinated solutions to the global financial crisis.
2012 – Candy Crush Saga launched as a mobile game for smartphones, beginning its rise to become one of the most popular puzzle games in the world.
2016 – Disney’s animated film Moana held its world premiere in Hollywood, introducing audiences to the Polynesian-inspired adventure ahead of its nationwide release later that month.
CELEBRITY BIRTHDAYS ON NOVEMBER 14:
Fred Haise – 93 years old (1933) – Pilot, engineer, and astronaut
Wendy Carlos – 87 years old (1939) – Keyboard player and composer
Peter Norton – 83 years old (1943) – Programmer and author
Mike Katz – 82 years old (1944) – Bodybuilder and football player
Brett Lunger – 81 years old (1945) – Race car driver
Gary Grubbs – 77 years old (1949) – Actor
James Young – 77 years old (1949) – Singer-songwriter and guitarist
Stephen Bishop – 75 years old (1951) – Singer-songwriter and actor
Johnny A. – 74 years old (1952) – Guitarist and songwriter
Maggie Roswell – 74 years old (1952) – Voice actress and singer
Condoleezza Rice – 72 years old (1954) – Political scientist, academic, and politician, 66th United States Secretary of State
Yanni – 72 years old (1954) – Greek-American pianist, composer, and producer
Jack Sikma – 71 years old (1955) – Basketball player and coach
Babette Babich – 70 years old (1956) – Philosopher, author, and scholar
Valerie Jarrett – 70 years old (1956) – Government official
Paul Attanasio – 67 years old (1959) – Screenwriter and producer
D. B. Sweeney – 65 years old (1961) – Actor
Laura San Giacomo – 64 years old (1962) – Actress
Harland Williams – 64 years old (1962) – Canadian-American actor and screenwriter
Bill Hemmer – 62 years old (1964) – Journalist
Joseph Simmons – 62 years old (1964) – Hip-hop artist
Patrick Warburton – 62 years old (1964) – Actor and comedian
Nina Gordon – 59 years old (1967) – Singer-songwriter
Lionel Simmons – 58 years old (1968) – Basketball player
Butch Walker – 57 years old (1969) – Singer-songwriter, guitarist, and producer
Dana Stubblefield – 56 years old (1970) – Football player
Matt Bloom – 54 years old (1972) – Wrestler, trainer, and sportscaster
Josh Duhamel – 54 years old (1972) – Model and actor
Aaron Taylor – 54 years old (1972) – Football player and sportscaster
Lawyer Milloy – 53 years old (1973) – Football player
Adina Howard – 52 years old (1974) – Singer-songwriter and chef
David Moscow – 52 years old (1974) – Actor
Joe Principe – 52 years old (1974) – Singer and bass player
Travis Barker – 51 years old (1975) – Drummer, songwriter, and producer
Stephen Guarino – 51 years old (1975) – Actor
Gary Vaynerchuk – 51 years old (1975) – Russian-American businessman and critic
Brian Dietzen – 49 years old (1977) – Actor
Obie Trice – 49 years old (1977) – Rapper and producer
Bobby Allen – 48 years old (1978) – Ice hockey player
Xavier Nady – 48 years old (1978) – Baseball player and coach
Brock Pierce – 46 years old (1980) – Actor and businessman
Vanessa Bayer – 45 years old (1981) – Actress
Boosie Badazz – 44 years old (1982) – Rapper
Kyle Orton – 44 years old (1982) – Football player
Joy Williams – 44 years old (1982) – Singer-songwriter
Guillermo Moscoso – 43 years old (1983) – Baseball player
Chelsea Wolfe – 43 years old (1983) – Singer-songwriter
Miriam Barnes – 43 years old (1983) – Sprinter and hurdler
Kalisto – 40 years old (1986) – Mexican-American wrestler
Danielle Page – 40 years old (1986) – American-Serbian basketball player and coach
Cory Michael Smith – 40 years old (1986) – Actor
T. Y. Hilton – 37 years old (1989) – Football player
Stella Maeve – 37 years old (1989) – Actress
Graham Patrick Martin – 35 years old (1991) – Actor
Dawson Knox – 30 years old (1996) – Football player
Sofia Kenin – 28 years old (1998) – Tennis player
DeVonta Smith – 28 years old (1998) – Football player
DAYS OF THE YEAR FOR NOVEMBER 14:
- The National Dog Show: The National Dog Show, a highlight for dog lovers and families across the country, lights up the Thanksgiving holiday with joy and excitement. Broadcast nationally, this event falls on Thanksgiving Day, making it a perfect watch post-Thanksgiving parade. Specifically, this day of furry fun and competition takes place on the...
- National Pickle Day: These crunchy, briny, and slightly tangy snacks, often found nestled beside a sandwich, can turn an ordinary meal into a savory delight.
- National Spicy Guacamole Day: A zesty, green blend that's not afraid to bring the heat, adding a fiery kick to everyone's favorite chips and snacks.
- National Seat Belt Day: Did you know that seat belts save thousands of lives each year? National Seat Belt Day, celebrated on November 14th, is a day to raise awareness about the importance of wearing seat belts. It is a vital reminder of how this simple action can make a difference in car accidents. The...
- National American Teddy Bear Day: There’s nothing quite so comforting to a child than a friend who takes the form of a stuffed Teddy bear. National American Teddy Bear Day brings to light the important role these sweet creatures can take and shows appreciation for the icon that the Teddy bear has become in American...
- Rad Tech Week: Rad Tech Week is a lively celebration of radiologic technologists and their essential work in the medical field. This special week shines a spotlight on the professionals who use cutting-edge imaging technology to diagnose and treat countless conditions. From X-rays to MRIs, these skilled technologists help doctors understand what’s happening...
- Transgender Awareness Week: Promoting understanding and compassion for diverse identities, bringing forth enlightenment and unity, echoing the spirit of humanity.
- Dear Santa Letter Week: Have you ever wondered what it feels like to send a wish directly to Santa Claus? Every year, during Dear Santa Letter Week, children and adults alike take pen to paper to craft personal messages to the jolly old elf. Celebrated during November, this week captures the essence of childhood...
- Nurse Practitioner Week: Nurse Practitioner Week is a lively celebration of the essential work nurse practitioners (NPs) do. This special week highlights their contributions to healthcare, emphasizing their role in delivering high-quality, patient-centered care. The week draws attention to the unique combination of clinical expertise and compassionate care that NPs provide. It's a...
- National Recycling Week: National Recycling Week is an exciting time to highlight the significance of recycling. This week aims to educate and inspire individuals, communities, and organizations to improve their recycling habits. Celebrating National Recycling Week helps spread awareness about the importance of recycling. It emphasizes reducing waste, reusing materials, and recycling properly. These...
- Operating Room Nurse Day: They're the backstage heroes of the medical world, ensuring everything runs seamlessly, patients are cared for, and surgeries are a success.
- National Family PJ Day: National Family PJ Day is a delightful celebration where families wear pajamas all day. This cozy event encourages everyone to relax and enjoy each other's company at home. It's a perfect excuse to slow down and focus on what truly matters: family. This day holds great importance because it fosters family...
- Loosen Up Lighten Up Day: Shedding worries, embracing the carefree vibe, and letting laughter flow, it's like tossing burdens into the wind and embracing life's simplicity.
- World Diabetes Day: Raise awareness of this common condition, “go blue” to show your support and make lifestyle changes that improve your health on World Diabetes Day.
- Children’s Day: Whitney Houston sang a number one song in the 1980s about children being the future – and she wasn’t wrong! The children of today are the adults of tomorrow and they deserve to be given the best possible chance at making the world a better place. Children’s Day is the...
- National Split Pea Soup Week: Savoring a comforting blend of legumes, slow-cooked to perfection, offering warmth and nourishment during the cold season.
- Chhath Puja: Chhath Puja is a vibrant festival that celebrates and honors the Sun, which is seen as the source of all life. Families gather near rivers or other water bodies, creating a beautiful scene of offerings and rituals. Brightly colored fruits, vegetables, and sweets are arranged in baskets while the setting...
- Human-Animal Relationship Awareness Week: From our furry companions to majestic wildlife, our connection with the animal kingdom is a bond that goes beyond words.
- Sugar Awareness Week: Have you ever checked the ingredients on your favorite snack? Sugar shows up in places you wouldn't expect—like pasta sauce, bread, and yogurt. Sugar Awareness Week brings attention to this sneaky habit in the food world. It challenges everyone to take a closer look at what they eat and drink each...
- Children’s Book Week : Spark the joy of exploration in young minds through tales that open doors to realms of endless fascination and growth.
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