On This Day in History — November 28

Highlights of November 28

• 2016 — LaMia Flight 2933 crashed near Medellín, Colombia, killing 71 people, many of whom were players from Chapecoense Football Club. Read more
• 1987 — South African Airways Flight 295 suffered a catastrophic in-flight fire and crashed into the Indian Ocean east of Mauritius, killing all 159 people on board. Read more
• 1979 — Air New Zealand Flight 901 crashed into Antarctica's Mount Erebus, killing all 257 people on board. Read more
• 1967 — Jocelyn Bell Burnell noticed a "bit of scruff" in data from a radio telescope, which turned out to be from PSR B1919+21, the first discovered pulsar. Read more
• 1966 — In a military coup, Michel Micombero abolished the Burundian monarchy and declared the country a republic with himself as president. Read more
• 1925 — Grand Ole Opry, the longest-running radio broadcast in the United States, first aired on WSM in Nashville, Tennessee. Read more
• 1912 — At the All-Albanian Congress, the Assembly of Vlorë was constituted, which declared the independence of the Albanian Vilayet from the Ottoman Empire. Read more
• 1903 — SS Petriana struck a reef near Point Nepean, leading to Australia's first major oil spill and a debate over the White Australia policy. Read more
• 1895 — The Chicago Times-Herald race, the first automobile race in the U.S., was held in Chicago. Read more
• 1811 — Beethoven's Piano Concerto No. 5 premiered at the Gewandhaus in Leipzig. Read more
• 1729 — Natchez Indians revolted against French colonists near modern-day Natchez, Mississippi, killing approximately 230 people. Read more
• 1660 — Robert Boyle, John Wilkins, Christopher Wren and other leading scientists met at Gresham College in London to found a learned society, now known as the Royal Society (coat of arms pictured). Read more
• 1470 — Đại Việt emperor Lê Thánh Tông launched a military expedition against Champa, beginning the Champa–Đại Việt War. Read more
• 1443 — Having deserted the Ottoman army, Skanderbeg (pictured) arrived in the Albanian city of Krujë and, using a forged letter from Sultan Murad II to the governor of Krujë, became lord of the city. Read more

Events

• 2020 — Over seven hundred civilians are massacred by the Ethiopian National Defense Force and Eritrean Army in Aksum, Ethiopia. Read more
• 2016 — LaMia Flight 2933 crashes near Medellín, Colombia, killing 71 of 77 people on board, including members of the Brazilian football club Chapecoense Read more
• 2014 — Gunmen set off three bombs at the central mosque in the northern Nigerian city of Kano killing at least 120 people. Read more
• 2002 — Suicide bombers blow up an Israeli-owned hotel in Mombasa, Kenya; their colleagues fail in their attempt to bring down Arkia Israel Airlines Flight 582 with surface-to-air missiles. Read more
• 1991 — South Ossetia declares independence from Georgia. Read more
• 1990 — British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher resigns as leader of the Conservative Party and, therefore, as Prime Minister. She is succeeded in both positions by John Major. Read more
• 1989 — Cold War: Velvet Revolution: In the face of protests, the Communist Party of Czechoslovakia announces it will give up its monopoly on political power. Read more
• 1987 — South African Airways Flight 295 crashes into the Indian Ocean, killing all 159 people on board. Read more
• 1983 — Space Shuttle Columbia is launched on STS-9, the first mission to carry the European Space Agency's Spacelab module. Read more
• 1980 — Iran–Iraq War: Operation Morvarid: The bulk of the Iraqi Navy is destroyed by the Iranian Navy in the Persian Gulf. (Commemorated in Iran as Navy Day.) Read more
• 1979 — Air New Zealand Flight 901, a DC-10 sightseeing flight over Antarctica, crashes into Mount Erebus, killing all 257 people on board. Read more
• 1975 — Timor-Leste declares its independence from Portugal. Read more
• 1972 — Last executions in Paris: Claude Buffet and Roger Bontems are guillotined at La Santé Prison. Read more
• 1971 — Fred Quilt, a leader of the Tsilhqot'in First Nation suffers severe abdominal injuries allegedly caused by Royal Canadian Mounted Police officers; he dies two days later. Read more
• 1971 — Wasfi al-Tal, Prime Minister of Jordan, is assassinated by the Black September unit of the Palestine Liberation Organization. Read more
• 1967 — The first pulsar (PSR B1919+21, in the constellation of Vulpecula) is discovered by two astronomers Jocelyn Bell Burnell and Antony Hewish. Read more
• 1966 — Michel Micombero overthrows the monarchy of Burundi and makes himself the first president. Read more
• 1965 — Vietnam War: In response to U.S. President Lyndon B. Johnson's call for "more flags" in Vietnam, Philippine President-elect Ferdinand Marcos announces he will send troops to help fight in South Vietnam. Read more
• 1964 — Mariner program: NASA launches the Mariner 4 probe toward Mars. Read more
• 1964 — Vietnam War: National Security Council members agree to recommend that U.S. President Lyndon B. Johnson adopt a plan for a two-stage escalation of bombing in North Vietnam. Read more
• 1960 — Mauritania becomes independent of France. Read more
• 1958 — Chad, the Republic of the Congo, and Gabon become autonomous republics within the French Community. Read more
• 1958 — First successful flight of SM-65 Atlas; the first operational intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), developed by the United States and the first member of the Atlas rocket family. Read more
• 1943 — World War II: Tehran Conference: U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt, British Prime Minister Winston Churchill and Soviet Premier Joseph Stalin meet in Tehran, Iran, to discuss war strategy. Read more
• 1942 — In Boston, Massachusetts, a fire in the Cocoanut Grove nightclub kills 492 people. Read more
• 1925 — The Grand Ole Opry begins broadcasting in Nashville, Tennessee, as the WSM Barn Dance. Read more
• 1920 — FIDAC (The Interallied Federation of War Veterans Organisations), the first international organization of war veterans is established in Paris, France. Read more
• 1920 — Irish War of Independence: Kilmichael Ambush: The Irish Republican Army ambush a convoy of British Auxiliaries and kill seventeen. Read more
• 1919 — Lady Astor is elected as a Member of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. She is the first woman to sit in the House of Commons. (Countess Markievicz, the first to be elected, refused to sit.) Read more
• 1918 — The Soviet Forces move against Estonia when the 6th Red Rifle Division strikes the border town of Narva, marking the beginning of the Estonian War of Independence. Read more
• 1917 — The Estonian Provincial Assembly declares itself the sovereign power of Estonia. Read more
• 1914 — World War I: Following a war-induced closure in July, the New York Stock Exchange re-opens for bond trading. Read more
• 1912 — Albania declares its independence from the Ottoman Empire. Read more
• 1908 — A mine explosion in Marianna, Pennsylvania, kills 154 men, leaving only one survivor. Read more
• 1905 — Irish nationalist Arthur Griffith founds Sinn Féin as a political party with the main aim of establishing a dual monarchy in Ireland. Read more
• 1899 — The Second Boer War: A British column is engaged by Boer forces at the Battle of Modder River; although the Boers withdraw, the British suffer heavy casualties. Read more
• 1895 — The first American automobile race takes place over the 54 miles from Chicago's Jackson Park to Evanston, Illinois. Frank Duryea wins in approximately 10 hours. Read more
• 1893 — Women's suffrage in New Zealand concludes with the 1893 New Zealand general election. Read more
• 1885 — Bulgarian victory in the Serbo-Bulgarian War preserves the Unification of Bulgaria. Read more
• 1862 — American Civil War: In the Battle of Cane Hill, Union troops under General James G. Blunt defeat General John Marmaduke's Confederates. Read more
• 1862 — Notts County F.C. is founded in Nottingham, England, making it the oldest professional Association football club in the world. Read more
• 1861 — American Civil War: The Confederate States of America accept a rival state government's pronouncement that declares Missouri to be the 12th state of the Confederacy. Read more
• 1843 — Ka Lā Hui (Hawaiian Independence Day): The Kingdom of Hawaii is officially recognized by the United Kingdom and France as an independent nation. Read more
• 1821 — Panama Independence Day: Panama separates from Spain and joins Gran Colombia. Read more
• 1814 — The Times of London becomes the first newspaper to be produced on a steam-powered printing press, built by the German team of Koenig & Bauer. Read more
• 1811 — Beethoven's Piano Concerto No. 5 in E-flat major, Op. 73, premieres at the Gewandhaus in Leipzig. Read more
• 1798 — Trade between the United States and modern-day Uruguay begins when John Leamy's frigate John arrives in Montevideo. Read more
• 1785 — The first Treaty of Hopewell is signed, by which the United States acknowledges Cherokee lands in what is now East Tennessee. Read more
• 1666 — At least 3,000 men of the Royal Scots Army led by Tam Dalyell of the Binns defeat about 900 Covenanter insurgents led by James Wallace of Auchens in the Battle of Rullion Green. Read more
• 1660 — At Gresham College, twelve men, including Christopher Wren, Robert Boyle, John Wilkins, and Sir Robert Moray decide to found what is later known as the Royal Society. Read more
• 1627 — The Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth Navy has its greatest and last naval victory in the Battle of Oliwa. Read more
• 1582 — In Stratford-upon-Avon, William Shakespeare and Anne Hathaway pay a £40 (equivalent to £13,818 in 2025) bond in lieu of posting wedding banns, which enables them to marry immediately. Read more
• 1520 — After 38 days, an expedition under the command of Ferdinand Magellan completes the first passage through the Strait of Magellan and enters the Pacific Ocean. Read more
• 1470 — Champa–Đại Việt War: Emperor Lê Thánh Tông of Đại Việt formally launches his attack against Champa. Read more
• 1443 — Skanderbeg and his forces liberate Kruja in central Albania and raise the Albanian flag. Read more
• 936 — Shi Jingtang is enthroned as the first emperor of the Later Jin by Emperor Taizong of Liao, following a revolt against Emperor Fei of Later Tang. Read more
• 587 — Treaty of Andelot: King Guntram of Burgundy recognizes Childebert II as his heir. Read more

Born on November 28

• 2000 — Jackson Yee, Chinese singer, dancer and actor Read more
• 1999 — Trey Jemison, American basketball player Read more
• 1997 — Mostafa Mohamed, Egyptian footballer Read more
• 1995 — Chase Elliott, American race car driver Read more
• 1994 — Nao Hibino, Japanese tennis player Read more
• 1993 — Bryshere Y. Gray, American actor and rapper Read more
• 1993 — David Nofoaluma, Australian-Samoan rugby league player Read more
• 1992 — Adam Hicks, American actor Read more
• 1992 — Jarvis Landry, American football player Read more
• 1992 — Jake Miller, American singer-songwriter Read more
• 1990 — Dedryck Boyata, Belgian footballer Read more
• 1990 — Bradley Smith, English motorcycle racer Read more
• 1989 — Laura Alleway, Australian footballer Read more
• 1989 — Jamie Buhrer, Australian rugby league player Read more
• 1989 — Jesús Montero, Venezuelan baseball player (died 2025) Read more
• 1988 — Joe Cole, English actor Read more
• 1988 — Scarlett Pomers, American actress and singer-songwriter Read more
• 1987 — Karen Gillan, Scottish actress Read more
• 1987 — Craig Kieswetter, South African-English cricketer and golfer Read more
• 1986 — Mouhamadou Dabo, French footballer Read more
• 1986 — Taurean Green, American-Georgian basketball player Read more
• 1985 — Mike Kostka, Canadian ice hockey player Read more
• 1985 — Álvaro Pereira, Uruguayan footballer Read more
• 1984 — Andrew Bogut, Australian basketball player Read more
• 1984 — Marc-André Fleury, Canadian ice hockey player Read more
• 1984 — Trey Songz, American R&B singer-songwriter and actor Read more
• 1984 — Mary Elizabeth Winstead, American actress and producer Read more
• 1984 — Naoko Yamada, Japanese anime director Read more
• 1983 — Rostam Batmanglij, American musician and songwriter Read more
• 1983 — Tyler Glenn, American singer-songwriter and keyboard player Read more
• 1983 — Summer Rae, American football player, wrestler, and actress Read more
• 1983 — Édouard Roger-Vasselin, French tennis player Read more
• 1983 — Nelson Valdez, Paraguayan footballer Read more
• 1983 — Carlos Villanueva, Dominican baseball player Read more
• 1982 — Leandro Barbosa, Brazilian basketball player Read more
• 1982 — Chris Harris, English motorcycle racer Read more
• 1982 — Alan Ritchson, American actor, model, singer, and songwriter Read more
• 1982 — Raido Villers, Estonian basketball player Read more
• 1981 — Erick Rowan, American wrestler Read more
• 1981 — Brian Tevreden, Dutch footballer Read more

Died on November 28

• 2024 — Prince Johnson, Liberian politician (born 1952) Read more
• 2024 — Ananda Krishnan, Malaysian businessman (born 1938) Read more
• 2024 — Silvia Pinal, Mexican actress (born 1931) Read more
• 2024 — Kioumars Pourhashemi, Iranian military general Read more
• 2023 — Charlie Munger, American businessman and vice chairman of Berkshire Hathaway (born 1924) Read more
• 2021 — Virgil Abloh, American fashion designer and entrepreneur (born 1980) Read more
• 2021 — Frank Williams, British founder of Williams Grand Prix Engineering (born 1942) Read more
• 2020 — David Prowse, English weight-lifting champion, actor and Green Cross Man (born 1935) Read more
• 2018 — Harry Leslie Smith, British writer and political commentator (born 1923) Read more
• 2015 — Wayne Bickerton, Welsh songwriter and producer (born 1941) Read more
• 2015 — Luc Bondy, Swiss director and producer (born 1948) Read more
• 2015 — Gerry Byrne, English-Welsh footballer (born 1938) Read more
• 2015 — Marjorie Lord, American actress (born 1918) Read more
• 2015 — Olene Walker, American lawyer and politician, 15th Governor of Utah (born 1930) Read more
• 2014 — Chespirito, Mexican actor, director, producer, and screenwriter (born 1929) Read more
• 2014 — Said Akl, Lebanese poet, playwright, and linguist (born 1912) Read more
• 2014 — Dale Armstrong, Canadian race car driver (born 1941) Read more
• 2013 — Jack Matthews, American author, playwright, and academic (born 1925) Read more
• 2013 — Mitja Ribičič, Italian-Slovenian soldier and politician, 25th Prime Minister of Yugoslavia (born 1919) Read more
• 2013 — Jean-Louis Roux, Canadian actor and politician, 34th Lieutenant Governor of Quebec (born 1923) Read more
• 2013 — Beyle Schaechter-Gottesman, Austrian-American poet and songwriter (born 1920) Read more
• 2012 — Knut Ahnlund, Swedish historian, author, and academic (born 1923) Read more
• 2012 — Spain Rodriguez, American illustrator (born 1940) Read more
• 2012 — Franco Ventriglia, American opera singer (born 1922) Read more
• 2012 — Zig Ziglar, American soldier and author (born 1926) Read more
• 2011 — Lloyd J. Old, American immunologist and academic (born 1933) Read more
• 2010 — Leslie Nielsen, Canadian-American actor and producer (born 1926) Read more
• 2009 — Gilles Carle, Canadian director, producer, and screenwriter (born 1928) Read more
• 2008 — Havaldar Gajender Singh, Indian sergeant (born 1972) Read more
• 2008 — Sandeep Unnikrishnan, Indian soldier (born 1977) Read more
• 2007 — Gudrun Wagner, Prussian director and producer (born 1944) Read more
• 2005 — Marc Lawrence, American actor, director, producer, and screenwriter (born 1910) Read more
• 2005 — Jack Concannon, American football player and actor (born 1943) Read more
• 2003 — Ted Bates, English footballer and manager (born 1918) Read more
• 2003 — Antonia Forest, English author (born 1915) Read more
• 2003 — Mihkel Mathiesen, Estonian engineer and politician (born 1918) Read more
• 2002 — Melih Cevdet Anday, Turkish poet and author (born 1915) Read more
• 2001 — Kal Mann, American songwriter (born 1917) Read more
• 2001 — William Reid, Scottish lieutenant and pilot, Victoria Cross recipient (born 1921) Read more
• 1998 — Kerry Wendell Thornley, American soldier and author (born 1938) Read more

Holidays & observances

Independence Day, celebrating the independence of Albania from Turkey in 1912, the first Albanian flag raise by Skanderbeg in 1443, and for the new parliamentary constitution in 1998.; Bedfordshire day is celebrated in the county of Bedfordshire to celebrate the birth of John Bunyan; Bukovina Day (Romania); Christian feast day: Acacius, Hirenarchus, and companions, of Sebaste; Christian feast day: Catherine Labouré; Christian feast day: Feast of the Holy Sovereigns (Episcopal Diocese of Hawaii); Christian feast day: Herman of Alaska, the anniversary of his actual death. Eastern Orthodox; Christian feast day: James of the Marches; Christian feast day: Kamehameha and Emma (Episcopal Church (USA)); Christian feast day: Our Lady of Kibeho; Christian feast day: Pope Gregory III; Christian feast day: Rufus (no. 8); Christian feast day: Stephen the Younger; Christian feast day: November 28 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics); Heroes' Day (Sri Lanka); Hōonkō (Japan); Independence Day (Mauritania), celebrate the independence of Mauritania from France in 1960.; Independence Day (Panama), celebrate the independence of Panama from Spain in 1821.; Navy Day (Iran); Proclamation of Independence Day (Timor-Leste), celebrating the declaration of independence of the Democratic Republic of East Timor from Portugal in 1975.; Republic Day (Burundi); Republic Day (Chad)

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