November 14: Holidays, Historical Events, Famous Birthdays & Zodiac Sign
On November 14, 1889, journalist Nellie Bly set out to circle the globe in under 80 days—and did it in just 72, turning a stunt into a legend.
About November 14
November 14 carries a spirit of firsts and bold ventures. It's World Diabetes Day, anchored on the birthday of Sir Frederick Banting, the Canadian physician whose co-discovery of insulin in 1921 transformed a fatal diagnosis into a manageable condition. India also celebrates Children's Day on this date, honoring the birth of Jawaharlal Nehru, the nation's first prime minister, who championed young people's welfare. Colombia, meanwhile, marks the Day of the Colombian Woman, commemorating the 150th anniversary of the death of independence heroine Policarpa Salavarrieta.
The day brims with pioneering milestones. In 1889, Nellie Bly launched her race around the world for Joseph Pulitzer's New York World newspaper, beating the fictional schedule of Jules Verne's Phileas Fogg by finishing in 72 days. Exactly 33 years later, in 1922, the British Broadcasting Company began its radio service, forever changing how people received news and entertainment. Fast-forward to 1969, and NASA sent Apollo 12 skyward—the second crewed mission to land on the Moon.
Cultural touchstones arrived on this date too. Herman Melville's epic novel Moby-Dick was published in the United States in 1851, initially to mixed reviews. In 1952, the New Musical Express printed the first regular UK Singles Chart, giving the music industry a new scoreboard. And in 1957, a police raid on a mob summit in Apalachin, New York, inadvertently confirmed the existence of the American Mafia, changing law enforcement priorities for decades.
Holidays & Observances on November 14
- Anniversary of the Movement of Readjustment (Guinea-Bissau)
- Children's Day, celebrated on the birthday of Jawaharlal Nehru (previously on November 20). (India)
- Day of the Colombian Woman (Colombia)
- Mobile Brigade Day (Indonesia)
- World Diabetes Day (International)
- Dobruja Day (Romania)
Fun & National Days on November 14
- International Girls Day — Celebrate the potential and voices of girls everywhere with mentorship and encouragement.
- Loosen Up, Lighten Up Day — Take a deep breath, drop your shoulders, and let go of whatever's stressing you out.
- National American Teddy Bear Day — Hug your favorite stuffed companion and appreciate the comfort it brings.
- National Family PJ Day — The whole crew stays in sleepwear all day—comfort is the only dress code.
- National Pickle Day — Crack open a jar and enjoy that crunchy, briny snap in your favorite variety.
- National Seat Belt Day — Click it before you start the engine—safety first, every single trip.
- National Spicy Guacamole Day — Mash some avocados, add extra jalapeños, and dig in with sturdy chips.
- Operating Room Nurse Day — Thank the skilled perioperative nurses who keep surgical teams running smoothly.
- Spirit of National Speakers Association Day — Honor the art of public speaking and the power of a well-told story.
On This Day in History
- -332 — Alexander the Great was crowned pharaoh of Egypt, merging Greek and Egyptian rule.
- 1680 — German astronomer Gottfried Kirch spotted the Great Comet of 1680, the first comet discovered using a telescope.
- 1851 — Herman Melville's whaling masterpiece Moby-Dick was published in the United States, initially to modest sales.
- 1889 — Journalist Nellie Bly embarked on her record-setting race around the globe, completing the journey in 72 days.
- 1910 — Aviator Eugene Burton Ely achieved the first-ever airplane takeoff from a ship, using a makeshift deck in Virginia.
- 1922 — The British Broadcasting Company launched its radio service in the United Kingdom, a transformative moment for mass media.
- 1952 — The New Musical Express published the first regular UK Singles Chart, reshaping how Britain tracked popular music.
- 1957 — A police raid on a mob gathering in Apalachin, New York, exposed the American Mafia's scale to the public.
- 1960 — Six-year-old Ruby Bridges became the first Black child to attend an all-white elementary school in Louisiana.
- 1969 — NASA launched Apollo 12, sending the second crewed mission to land on the lunar surface.
- 1971 — Mariner 9 became the first spacecraft to enter orbit around Mars, ready to map the Red Planet.
- 2003 — Astronomers announced the discovery of Sedna, a distant dwarf planet orbiting far beyond Neptune.
Famous Birthdays on November 14
- 1840 — Claude Monet, French Impressionist painter whose studies of light and water lilies redefined modern art.
- 1889 — Jawaharlal Nehru, India's first prime minister and a central figure in the nation's independence movement.
- 1891 — Frederick Banting, Canadian physician who co-discovered insulin, earning a Nobel Prize and saving millions of lives.
- 1900 — Aaron Copland, American composer whose works like 'Appalachian Spring' defined a distinctly American classical sound.
- 1907 — Astrid Lindgren, Swedish author who created Pippi Longstocking, enchanting generations of young readers worldwide.
- 1922 — Boutros Boutros-Ghali, Egyptian diplomat who served as the sixth Secretary-General of the United Nations.
- 1948 — Charles III, King of the United Kingdom and 14 other Commonwealth realms, ascending the throne in 2022.
- 1954 — Condoleezza Rice, Political scientist and diplomat who served as the 66th U.S. Secretary of State.
- 1954 — Yanni, Greek-American composer and pianist known for sweeping, instrumental new-age performances.
- 1979 — Olga Kurylenko, Ukrainian-French actress and model recognized for roles in major action and thriller films.