Today, i am showcasing a timely article written some time ago by my cousin Kathy B. She had written this piece while taking an online course  and was required to write about her birthday month. In her research, she managed to discover  very interesting historical facts and information all relating to the month of November. I was quite taken by this article and so enjoyed reading it. I hope you also enjoy this timely article about the month of November:

November in a Nutshell

     November means the ninth month as it was the ninth month in the Roman calendar. The zodiac or astrological signs for November are Scorpio for those born up until the 21^st, and Sagittarius for those born in the last part of the month. The birthstone is the topaz and its flower is the chrysanthemum. November is the end of the harvest season and the unofficial start of winter. Our presidential and congressional elections are always held on the first Tuesday of the month.

Historical Events in November

Several states joined the Union in November including North and South Dakota, Montana, Colorado, Washington and Oklahoma The U.S. Marine Corps was founded on November10th, 1773, an important day in my family.. November11th, 1918 marked the official end of World War 1, also called the “Great War” and the “War to end all wars.” {I wish that was true.} In 1938, it was first celebrated as a holiday called Armistice Day, it was later changed to Veterans Day to honor all the brave men and women who have served in the Armed Forces. The Vietnam Memorial, a list of all military personal who were killed or were missing in action was dedicated on November 13^th, 1982 in Washington DC. The “unknown soldier” was also buried there in 1921 at the Capitol Rotunda.

Inventions in November

Several inventions were patented or introduced in this month including the artificial leg in 1846, the first cash register in 1880, and the stereo radio in 1955. The National Broadcasting Company {NBC} first went on the air in 1926. Coincidently, Walter Cronkite was born ten years earlier, perhaps he worked for the wrong network.

  Abraham Lincoln and Thanksgiving

November was a very important month in the life of Abe Lincoln.  He was elected as our 16^th President on November 6, 1860. Several things happened in 1863 during November. Sherman let Atlanta burn, Lincoln delivered his famous Gettysburg Address; Lincoln went to a play starring the man who would kill him 17 months later, John Wilkes Booth. What a bit of irony!  Lincoln declared Thanksgiving to be a National holiday in the midst of The Civil War in November, 1863. However, the first Thanksgiving was celebrated within the colonies on November 22, 1789

The history of Thanksgiving began about 150 years before with the voyage of the Mayflower carrying the Pilgrims. The Mayflower Compact was a way to set order to avoid more mutiny aboard the ship, it was a loose form of government to restore order. The Indians shared an autumn feast with the Pilgrims in 1621.

President Kennedy and other Historical Facts

On November 22, 1963, President John F. Kennedy was assassinated while riding in an open car in Dallas, TX. While on the plane back to Washington D.C. Lyndon B. Johnson was sworn in as our next President with Jackie Kennedy at his side. Lee Harvey Oswald was arrested the same day for his murder.  Oswald was shot and killed a few days later on his way to court by Jack Ruby.

Other random facts about November are hard to categorize.  Queen Elizabeth 11 married Prince Phillip on November 20^th, 1947. In 1979, 63 hostages were taken by Iran. Utah was the second state to give women the right to vote on November 5, 1895.

Conclusion

I think my birthday month is an interesting one. A number of states were admitted to the Union: Colorado, North and South Dakota, Montana, Oklahoma and Washington. Many events of the Civil War and Lincoln’s life occurred in November as well. One of the greatest tragedies ever to our country was the assassination of our President Kennedy on November 22, 1963. Veteran’s Day and Thanksgiving are the important holidays.

Kathy’s References:

Sanders, B. (2006). November: Facts about November, Barbara’s Entourage, God, Family, and Friends: Welcome to my Humble Abode. Retrieved from http://www.entourages.com/barbs/november.html

Zalevec, K. (2009, October 31). Trivial Facts about the Month of November: it isn’t just about Turkey, Stuffing, and Pumpkin Pie, Associated Content from Yahoo. Retrieved from http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/2338016/trivial_facts_about_the_month_of_november.html