Football Kicks Off, Leaders Rise, Worlds React!
Welcome to November 6th, a day packed with history that ranges from brand new sports to massive political shifts! Imagine the excitement of the very first organized college football game, or the tension as a future US President was elected. Today, we look back at moments that set new rules—on the field and in the halls of power!
Did you know that on this day, people in South Africa faced a major moment of global attention as the United Nations spoke out against their unfair laws? It shows how one date can connect a US election, a sporting first, and a worldwide fight for fairness!
What Happened on This Day
Abraham Lincoln Wins the US Presidency
In a super-close and dramatic election, Abraham Lincoln became the 16th President of the United States! He was the first president from the new Republican party, but many Southern states weren't happy with his victory. This event was a huge turning point that sadly led the country toward the American Civil War. Lincoln’s job was tough right from the start—talk about starting a new job with a challenge!
Learn more
The First College Football Game Ever!
Forget the super-organized games you see on TV! On November 6, 1869, two teams—Rutgers and Princeton—faced off in what is considered the very first college football match. It was more like a mix of soccer and rugby, with lots of tackling and kicking. Rutgers won the wild game 6-4. This was the tiny seed that grew into the massive sport of American football we know today!
Gandhi Leads a Big Protest in South Africa
Mahatma Gandhi, who would become famous for leading India to freedom using peaceful protest, was arrested today while leading a march of Indian miners in South Africa. They were protesting unfair and super-high taxes! Gandhi believed in 'satyagraha'—truth force—which meant standing up to unfair rules without using violence. It shows that even when you are arrested, your message can still be powerful.
Learn more
'Meet the Press' Debuts on TV
Imagine a TV show that’s been talking about important news and interviewing powerful people for over 75 years! That’s 'Meet the Press,' which had its very first television broadcast on this day. Before this, it was a radio show. This was a major step in how people watched and learned about politics and world events on TV, changing the news game forever!
UN Condemns South Africa's Apartheid Laws
Apartheid was a terrible system of laws in South Africa that forced people to live separately and treated non-white people very unfairly. On this day, the United Nations General Assembly voted to strongly condemn this policy and asked all countries to stop trading with South Africa. It was a massive moment of the world standing up together to say that discrimination is simply not okay.
Learn moreFun Facts About November 6
- The very first college football game had rules closer to soccer than modern football!
- 'Meet the Press' is the longest-running television series in US history.
- King Henry VI was crowned King of England on November 6, 1429, when he was only eight years old!
- The saxophone inventor, Adolphe Sax, was also born on this day in 1814.
A Look Back in Time
November 6 falls deep in the autumn season in the Northern Hemisphere, a time often associated with harvest, elections, and settling in for winter—which matches some of the day's history! In 1860, the political landscape was about to shift dramatically with Lincoln's election, setting the stage for the US Civil War. Meanwhile, in 1913, Gandhi was deep in the fight against racial segregation in a different part of the world. This date marks how global politics and local sports (like that first football game!) all happen at once across history.
Born on This Day
Emma Stone
This awesome actress is famous for being super talented in both comedy and drama movies, like *Easy A* and *La La Land*! She's known for her versatile acting and her distinctive voice, making her a true Hollywood star.
James Naismith
Get ready to love this guy! James Naismith was the inventor of basketball in 1891. He was looking for an indoor sport to keep his students busy during the chilly winter months. Talk about solving a problem with creativity!
Sally Field
A highly respected actress known for playing strong, memorable characters in movies like *Forrest Gump* and *Mrs. Doubtfire*. She’s won many awards for showing off her fantastic acting skills over the years!
Adolphe Sax
This Belgian inventor and musician created one of the coolest-sounding instruments: the saxophone! He wanted to create a powerful new brass instrument that could sing like a woodwind. You can hear his amazing invention in jazz bands and orchestras all over the world!