Magellan Crosses Oceans, Leaders Meet!
Welcome to November 28th, where history took some huge steps! On this day, an epic journey into the unknown Pacific Ocean began, and the leaders of three major countries gathered to plan the end of a giant war. It’s a day of exploration, tough decisions, and even some surprising 'firsts' in politics!
Did you know that on November 28th, 1919, a woman actually became a member of the UK Parliament for the very first time? It took a long time, but Lady Astor proved that history-making moments can happen in a political office, not just on a battlefield or a ship!
What Happened on This Day
Magellan Enters the Pacific Ocean!
Imagine sailing for months and finally finding a way through a giant stretch of water! In 1520, Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan’s expedition finally passed through the southern strait that now bears his name. After this, they sailed into the massive, calm Pacific Ocean. This was a huge moment for navigation and exploration, proving the world was indeed round and connecting the Atlantic to the Pacific!
Learn more
Shakespeare Gets Married in a Rush
The world's most famous playwright, William Shakespeare, tied the knot with Anne Hathaway on this day! It seems they were in a bit of a hurry. The couple paid a special fee to skip the usual waiting period for a marriage license. Maybe they knew they had a great story ahead of them, or perhaps young Anne just couldn't wait to marry the future writing superstar!
Panama Says 'Goodbye' to Spain
On November 28th, 1821, the land of Panama decided it wanted a change! It declared itself independent from Spain. But here’s a funny twist: instead of starting its own country right away, Panama immediately joined the bigger, newly formed nation called Gran Colombia. Think of it like leaving one big club only to immediately join a slightly different, but still huge, super-club!
A Woman Takes a Seat in Parliament
History was made in the United Kingdom when Lady Nancy Astor won her seat and became the very first woman to officially take her place in the House of Commons! Before this, only men were allowed to be elected to this powerful law-making group. Imagine a school where only one gender could join the Student Council—Nancy Astor helped break that rule for the whole country!
The Big Three Meet at Tehran Conference
World War II was raging, so the leaders of the three most powerful Allied nations—Franklin D. Roosevelt (USA), Winston Churchill (UK), and Joseph Stalin (Soviet Union)—met in Tehran, Iran. This was the first time these 'Big Three' sat down together! They planned huge strategies, including the massive invasion of France that would later become D-Day. This meeting was a crucial moment in deciding how the war would be won.
Learn moreFun Facts About November 28
- After Magellan passed through the strait, he named the new ocean 'Pacific,' meaning 'peaceful'!
- The Grand Ole Opry, a famous country music show, first broadcast on the radio on November 28, 1925.
- In 1967, Jocelyn Bell Burnell discovered the first pulsar—a rapidly spinning star emitting beams of light!
- NASA launched the Mariner 4 probe on this day in 1964, which sent back the first close-up pictures of Mars.
A Look Back in Time
November 28th often lands in the late autumn, a time of transition and big planning! In the 16th century, the world was expanding as explorers like Magellan proved just how big the globe was. By the 1940s, during World War II, the stakes were incredibly high, making the Tehran Conference a top-secret planning session that determined the next huge military moves. From charting oceans to charting political futures, this date has always seen significant action.
Born on This Day
William Blake
This English poet and artist was way ahead of his time! He wrote amazing, imaginative poems and created incredible art, though many people didn't understand his unique style when he was alive. Today, he’s celebrated as a giant of the Romantic art era.
Friedrich Engels
Friedrich Engels was a German thinker, philosopher, and writer who worked closely with another famous guy named Karl Marx. Together, they wrote about how societies and economies work. He helped edit a really important book called *Das Kapital*!
Ed Harris
This talented American actor is known for playing serious, powerful characters in movies! You might recognize him from films like *Apollo 13* or *The Right Stuff*. He’s also a director and has been nominated for lots of big acting awards.
Learn more
Jon Stewart
Jon Stewart is a super-smart comedian and writer famous for hosting *The Daily Show*. He used humor and sharp analysis to talk about news and politics, making people laugh while they thought deeply about the world.