This Day In History

On November 28, 1954, Nobel Prize–winning physicist Enrico Fermi died in Chicago, Illinois. His passing marked the end of the life of one of the most influential scientists of the 20th century—a man whose ideas shaped modern physics and whose work helped usher in the Atomic Age.

On November 27, 1950, the Korean War Battle of Chosin Reservoir began—a fighting withdrawal carried out in brutal subzero cold. What followed was a 17-day struggle for survival, where frozen weapons, relentless attacks, and unbroken determination turned a retreat into one of the Marine Corps’ most storied feats.

On November 26, 1789, Americans celebrated Thanksgiving for the first time under a presidential proclamation. Although people in the colonies had held harvest celebrations of thanks since the 1600s, the idea of a single, nationwide holiday did not yet exist. For more than two centuries, different communities held their own thanksgiving observances at various times of the year, often tied to local harvests, military victories, or special religious moments. It would take national leadership—and eventually the influence of several presidents—to turn Thanksgiving into the unified holiday we know today.

Composer Ethelbert Woodbridge Nevin was born on November 25, 1862, in the small community of Edgeworth, Pennsylvania. He grew up in a family where creativity and education were highly valued, and this early environment helped shape the course of his life. Nevin would go on to become one of the most expressive American composers of the late 19th century, known for his emotional piano pieces and memorable songs.

On November 20, 1943, US troops launched the Battle of Tarawa, the first American offensive in the central Pacific region of World War II. A turning point in the Pacific War, it saw effective use of the America’s newly developed island-hopping strategy and provided important lessons for future invasions.

The last of the “log cabin presidents,” James A. Garfield was born November 19, 1831, near Cleveland, Ohio, to impoverished farmers. Rising from those humble beginnings, he forged a remarkable path as a scholar, Civil War general, and eventually the country’s 20th president.

Sun Yat-Sen was born on November 12, 1866, in Xiangshan County, Guangdong, China. For his work to modernize China, Sun has been called the “Father of the Nation” of the Republic of China. He is unique in Chinese history, as he is revered by both communist China and Taiwan.

On October 28, 1942, construction was completed on one of the most ambitious engineering projects of World War II — the 1,700-mile Alaska Highway. What began as a desperate military necessity became one of the great infrastructure achievements of the 20th century, linking Alaska to the continental United States for the first time by land.

On November 29, 1929, Richard E. Byrd made his first flight over the South Pole. It was the first of five expeditions he made there during his life.

On November 29, 1777, the first non-military and non-missionary settlement in California was established as El Pueblo de San José de Guadalupe in Alta, California.

Louisa May Alcott was born on November 29, 1832, in Germantown, Pennsylvania. A prolific author of more than 270 works, she’s most well-known for her novel, Little Women.

On November 29, 1952, president-elect Dwight D. Eisenhower filled a campaign promise to visit Korea.  He had been critical of Harry Truman’s handling of the Korean conflict and promised he would visit and bring an end to the war.