Washington Becomes 42nd State
On November 11, 1889, Washington was admitted to the Union. Ever since, it has stood at the forefront of exploration, commerce, and progress in the American West.
American History
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Roosevelt Takes First Presidential Trip Outside US
On November 9, 1906, President Theodore Roosevelt made history when he visited the Panama Canal Zone—becoming the first sitting US president ever to travel outside the country while in office. His trip symbolized not only his hands-on leadership style but also America’s growing role as a global power in the early 20th century.
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FDR Elected to Record Fourth Term
On November 7, 1944, Franklin D. Roosevelt made history as the first—and only—US president elected to a fourth term. His remarkable political career reshaped both the country’s government and its role in the world.
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Birth of Walter Johnson
Baseball pitcher Walter “The Big Train” Johnson was born on November 6, 1887, in Humboldt, Kansas. Today, he is remembered not only as one of the greatest pitchers in baseball history but also as a model of sportsmanship and character—an enduring symbol of the game’s early golden age.
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American Society of Civil Engineers
On November 5, 1852, the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) was founded in New York City. It became the first national engineering society in the United States and remains one of the world’s most respected professional engineering organizations today.
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America’s First Female Governor Elected
On November 4, 1924, Wyoming once again lived up to its nickname, “The Equality State,” when voters elected Nellie Tayloe Ross as the first female governor in American history. Her election was another milestone in Wyoming’s long record of advancing women’s rights and political equality.
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Birth of Vilhjalmur Stefansson
On November 3, 1879, Arctic explorer Vilhjalmur Stefansson was born in Manitoba, Canada. Over the course of his life, he became one of the most influential and controversial figures in Arctic exploration—celebrated for his discoveries and criticized for the tragic misfortunes that accompanied some of his expeditions.
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South Dakota Admitted to the Union
On November 2, 1889, South Dakota became the 40th state in the Union. Its admission marked the culmination of decades of westward expansion, frontier settlement, and shifting territorial boundaries that shaped the northern Great Plains into a permanent part of the United States.
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Library of Congress Opens to the Public
On November 1, 1897, the doors of America’s Library of Congress opened to the public, offering a glimpse into a growing national treasure and the knowledge of the world. From its humble beginnings in the US Capitol to its status today as one of the largest libraries on Earth, the Library of Congress has played a vital role in preserving the intellectual and cultural heritage of the United States.
