October 23, 2024 |

This Month in History: November

By Vanessa Hart, Museum Attendant, and Dana Briggs, Museum Coordinator.

Reviewing the numerous historical events that took place in November reveals a variety of successes, tragedies, and intriguing happenings. From the opening of the first medical school for women in 1848, to Abraham Lincoln’s delivery of the “Gettysburg Address” in 1863, to the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989, November’s notable happenings are endlessly fascinating.

It would not be possible to fit all of the past events that took place during November into this newsletter, so we will just explore a few for now. Join us as we remember historical first flights in the skies of Paris in 1783 and California in 1947, and violent demonstrations in the streets of Austria and Germany in 1938.

Reaching New Heights in the Skies of Paris and California

On November 21st, 1783, the first free manned hot air balloon was flown over the city of Paris. The balloon, made mostly of paper and silk, was created by the Montgolfier Brothers. The balloon was piloted by François Pilatre de Rozier and François Laurent d’Arlandes, the former a science teacher and the latter a nobleman, also called a “Marquis”. Originally many officials were against the Marquis being one of the pilots, but he insisted. The maximum altitude of the flight cannot be verified. Most accounts estimate the altitude around 250 feet, but some go as high as 500 feet. One detail that is universally agreed on is that the flight only lasted about 25 minutes. Still, it was a unique and important step in aviation history that is often overlooked.

Even if you’re not a major aviation fan you’ve probably heard of the Spruce Goose. This wooden wonder started development in the 1940s. It was led by Henry Kaiser, with support from Howard Hughes. Due to the wartime efforts of the time, the plane had to be made of non-strategic materials, hence the wooden frame. It was renamed the H-4 Hercules in 1944 but wasn’t completed until 1946. On November 2, 1947, the Spruce Goose took its first and only flight. The flight traveled a distance of just 1 mile with a top altitude of 70 feet. That may not be impressive by today’s standards, but it was a monumental shift in aviation. Although the Spruce Goose never flew again, Hughes hired an around-the-clock team to maintain it should it ever be called for duty.

Escalating to Greater Levels of Violence in the Streets of Austria and Germany

On the night of November 9th and early into the morning of November 10th, 1938, parts of Germany and Austria were subject to Kristallnacht, or the Night of Broken Glass. Within just a few hours, hordes of rioters and Nazi officials took it upon themselves to destroy and annihilate any Jewish businesses or any buildings affiliated with the Jewish culture. The Nazi party claimed that this was in retaliation to a recent assassination of a German official. For most people, it was the first of many blatant acts of hatred shown by the Nazi party. Kristallnacht and other acts of violence would eventually lead to the Holocaust, in which Jewish people, Romani people, disabled people, gay people, and people belonging to other social minorities were persecuted and brutalized by the Nazis.

Recalling the History of November

Looking back on the happenings of Novembers in history, one thing seems to unite them all: the importance of remembering them. When remembering the successes, like the first flights of the Spruce Goose or manned hot air balloons, we can draw inspiration. When remembering tragedies, like the suffering of Jewish people at the hands of the Nazis during Kristallnacht, we can draw insight to help avoid future injustices.

Latest News

Gift Shop Spotlight

Add some cheer to your holiday shopping with your 10% members-only discount in our Gifts of Flight shop!  ...
Read More

This Month in History: December

By Bethanie Richards, Museum Attendant December December is heralded by many as a month to celebrate! Whether you ...
Read More
Scroll to Top