On This Day – November 30th

It’s the last day of the month, and we are all ready to start December! However, before we say goodbye to November, it’s important to honour all the things that make its last day so special. For example, here are some of the most interesting things about November 30th – and we share some famous birthdays with you below, too.

On this day

1Benjamin Franklin received a bold reward.

In 1753, Benjamin Franklin received the Godfrey Copley medal. He received the honor for “his curious experiments and observations on electricity.” Seems like flying that kite was worth the effort!

2Tuscany abolished the death penalty.

On 30 November 1786, Grand Duke Peter Leopold of Tuscany abolished the death penalty and torture, making Tuscany the first modern state to do so. The date is now marked as Cities for Life Day.

3The first international football match was played.

On 30 November 1872, Scotland and England played the first official international football match, at Hamilton Crescent in Glasgow. It ended 0-0.

4Schliemann found the 'Mask of Agamemnon'.

In 1876, the archaeologist Heinrich Schliemann found a gold funeral mask at Mycenae in Greece and declared he had ‘gazed upon the face of Agamemnon’. In fact the mask is about 300 years older than the time of the Trojan War.

5The Green River Killer was arrested.

On 30 November 2001, Gary Ridgway was arrested near Seattle. Known as the Green River Killer, he later admitted to murdering 49 women and is thought to have killed many more, making him one of the deadliest serial killers in US history.

Special Days Falling on November 30th

On this last day of November, we think it is just as important to consider the people of today as it is those of the past. With that in mind, here are some of the biggest celebrations and commemorations taking place around the world today.

Barbados Independence Day

On 30 November 1966, Barbados became independent from Britain after more than three centuries of British rule. Exactly 55 years later, on 30 November 2021, it became a republic, replacing the Queen as head of state.

Bonifacio Day

For the people of the Philippines, November 30th is Bonifacio Day. The day honors Andrés Bonifacio, who is recognized as a national hero. He was one of the founders of a secret society of revolutionaries known as the Katipunan – and for that, he is often referred to as the Father of the Philippine Revolution.

Day of Remembrance for All Victims of Chemical Warfare

For people all over the world, November 30th is the Day of Remembrance for All Victims of Chemical Warfare. The day was created by the UN (United Nations) to help all of us remember the countless victims that have been lost to chemical warfare. It also is there to help affirm and remind us of the Organization of the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons and their commitment to stopping the use of chemical weapons, period.

This month in history

In 1920, Ireland’s Bloody Sunday, took place. The IRA (Irish Republican Army) shot and killed 14 British soldiers and one Irish sergeant. The event was part of the Irish War of Independence, and the massacre eventually led to more than 30 deaths in total. The event is not to be confused with the Bloody Sunday of 1972, otherwise known as the Bogside Massacre, where British soldiers killed unarmed civilians.

Famous Birthdays on November 30th

• Casimir IV Jagiellon, King of Poland, born 1427
• Mark Twain, American author, born 1835
• Winston Churchill, British prime minister, born 1874
• Ben Stiller, American comedian and actor, born 1965
• Kaley Cuoco, American actor, born 1985

If you were born on November 30th…

…you’re a Sagittarius! You’re determined, optimistic, and kind. You’re a great leader, although you like to get things done alone, too. You also tend to be a bit of a joker, meaning people turn to you to help break the tension sometimes. Regardless, you’re a great friend and partner.

Head over to our Sagittarius facts page to learn more!