Most of us know November 11th as one of the most important dates in history. It’s a day for many of us to consider peace and the lives lost to maintain it. But November 11th has a lot of history beyond that, too. Here are some of the most important things to know about November 11th, including a few famous birthdays you might share with some well-known people!
On this day
1Mary Edwards Walker was awarded the Medal of Honor.
On 11 November 1865, Dr Mary Edwards Walker, who served as a surgeon with the Union Army during the American Civil War, was awarded the Medal of Honor. She is still the only woman ever to receive it.
2The Armistice ended the First World War.
At 5am on 11 November 1918, Germany signed the Armistice in a railway carriage in the forest of Compiègne, France. The guns fell silent at 11am, ‘the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month’.
3Persia was given an ultimatum.
In 1911, Persia was given an ultimatum by Russia during the latter’s occupation of Tabriz. The ultimatum was quickly followed by an invasion of North Persia to impose Russian political control.
4The Eternal Flame was lit!
In 1923, the Eternal Flame under the Arc de Triomphe in Paris was lit for the first time. It was lit for the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and has been burning ever since. It’s a wonderful monument to mark the losses of so many lives during World War I.
5Robert Millikan named 'cosmic rays'.
In November 1925, the American physicist Robert Millikan announced his research on high-energy radiation from space and gave it the name ‘cosmic rays’. The radiation itself had been discovered in 1912 by the Austrian physicist Victor Hess.
Special Days Falling on November 11th
Many know November 11th as a day of remembrance, gratitude, and commemoration. Here are some of the main reasons why.
Angola Independence Day
For the people of Angola, every November 11th is Independence Day! The country gained its independence from Portugal after a 13-year-long war known as the Angolan War of Independence. The day is celebrated every year all over the nation with parades, festivals, and official ceremonies.
Singles' Day
In China, 11 November (11.11) is Singles’ Day, which began as a student celebration of being single and has become the world’s biggest online shopping event.
Remembrance Day
Every 11 November, Britain and Commonwealth countries mark Remembrance Day, the anniversary of the Armistice that ended the First World War in 1918. A two-minute silence is held at 11am, and the King leads the national service at the Cenotaph on Remembrance Sunday.
This month in history
In 1979, it was officially announced that China would be re-admitted into the Olympic Games. The country had been absent from the games for 21 years until the International Olympic Committee finally voted to re-admit it. Since then, the People’s Republic of China has hosted the Olympic Games on two separate occasions, the first being in 2008 and the most recent in 2022.
Famous Birthdays on November 11th
- Gisela of Swabia, Holy Roman Empress, born c. 990
- Fyodor Dostoevsky, Russian novelist, born 1821
- Kurt Vonnegut, American author, born 1922
- Stanley Tucci, American actor and filmmaker, born 1960
- Leonardo DiCaprio, American actor, born 1974
If you were born on November 11th…
…you’re a Scorpio! As the scorpion of the Western Zodiac, you’re a mysterious customer with a sting in their tail – but the people who love you really appreciate your passion and your support! Scorpios hate lies, superficiality, and anyone who seems fake.
So, we’re being as real as possible when we say you should head over to our Scorpio facts page to learn more!
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