New York’s Evacuation Day
On November 25, 1783, the British Army left New York City following the American Revolutionary War. The date was celebrated for over a century as Evacuation Day, with celebrations rivaling those held on the Fourth of July.
Presidents
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Congress’s First Session in the U.S. Capitol
On November 17, 1800, Congress convened in the still-under-construction Capitol building in Washington, DC for the first time. The Capitol building would undergo several expansions over the years, eventually growing to 16.5 acres.
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Teddy Roosevelt and Teddy Bears
On November 16, 1902, a cartoon appeared in a newspaper that inspired the creation of the first teddy bears, named after President Theodore “Teddy” Roosevelt.
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Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
On November 11, 1921, President Warren G. Harding dedicated the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery. Now the final resting place for three unknown soldiers, it is guarded 24 hours a day by members of the Army’s 3rd Infantry Regiment.
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Birth of Ignacy Paderewski
Ignacy Jan Paderewski was born on November 6, 1860, in Kuryłówka, Podolia (in present-day Ukraine). He was an accomplished pianist and composer as well as the first Prime Minister of independent Poland.
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Iranian Hostage Crisis
On November 4, 1979, Islamic militants seized the American embassy in Tehran, taking hostages. The crisis lasted for over a year, drawing worldwide attention, and playing a significant role in the 1980 presidential election.
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Birth of Warren G. Harding
The 29th president of the United States, Warren Gamaliel Harding, was born November 2, 1865, in Blooming Grove, Ohio. He was a popular president at the time, but a series of scandals were then revealed that tarnished his reputation.
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Great Basin National Park
On October 27, 1986, Great Basin National Park was established in Nevada. The park protects ancient bristlecone pines, Wheeler Peak Glacier, and more.
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George Washington Bridge
On October 24, 1931, the George Washington Bridge was dedicated, officially opening to traffic the next day. One of the world’s busiest bridges, the George Washington Bridge is also the world’s only 14-lane suspension bridge.
