November Anniversaries: Momentous and Memorable
Tacoma Narrows Bridge Collapse
On November 7, 1940, the four-month-old Tacoma Narrows Bridge, known as “Galloping Gertie,” collapsed in high winds. The collapse, captured on film, led to significant advancements in bridge design.
The First Army-Navy Football Game
On November 29, 1890, the first Army-Navy football game was played at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. Cadets from West Point faced off against midshipmen from the U.S. Naval Academy. The game was the brainchild of cadet Dennis Michie, who persuaded West Point to field a team and challenge Navy. Navy triumphed in the inaugural contest, 24-0, but Army won the rematch in 1891.
The Birth of Mark Twain
Samuel Langhorne Clemens, the renowned American author known as Mark Twain, was born on November 30, 1835, in Florida, Missouri. His father’s death when Clemens was 12 forced him to find work as a typesetter and apprentice riverboat pilot before embarking on his writing career. As Mark Twain, he infused his novels, including “Tom Sawyer” and “Huckleberry Finn,” with acerbic wit and his memories of life along the Mississippi River. His uncensored autobiography was published in 2010, 100 years after his death.
The Mayflower’s Arrival at Cape Cod
Two months after leaving England, the Pilgrims aboard the Mayflower arrived at present-day Cape Cod on November 11, 1620. After being thwarted by bad weather in their attempt to reach the Hudson River, they anchored in the unfamiliar landscape. To prevent dissent, the pilgrim men signed a compact establishing a government in their new location. After a harsh winter spent aboard the ship, the 57 survivors established the Plymouth colony.
Ferdinand Magellan’s Voyage
On November 28, 1520, Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan became the first European to sail from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean. He navigated a winding strait, later named the Strait of Magellan, between mainland South America and Tierra del Fuego. His crew rejoiced and fired artillery upon emerging into the Pacific. Although Magellan was killed before the expedition completed the first circumnavigation of the globe, the strait he discovered remained a vital trade route until the Panama Canal opened in 1914.
Other Notable Anniversaries
- November 7, 1940: Tacoma Narrows Bridge collapse
- November 29, 1890: First Army-Navy football game
- November 30, 1835: Birth of Mark Twain
- November 11, 1620: Mayflower’s arrival at Cape Cod
- November 28, 1520: Ferdinand Magellan’s Pacific Ocean discovery
