On This Day in History: November 1

The Council of Chalcedon concludes. It was the fourth ecumenical council of the Christian Church, at it had convened on October 8, 451 in the city of Chalcedon, Bithynia (modern-day Kadıköy, Istanbul, Turkey). Expand +

Celebration of "The Feast of All Saints" or "All Saints' Day"; a Christian celebration in honor of all the saints of the Church, known or unknown. It is celebrated on November 1st by the Western Catholic Church as well as by many Protestant churches, such as the Anglican, Lutheran, and Methodist.  Expand +

Pope Sixtus IV issues a papal bull (Exigit sincerae devotionis affectus) on November 1, 1478, authorizing the Spanish Catholic Monarchs, Ferdinand II of Aragon and Isabella I of Castile, to appoint inquisitors to root out heresy in Spain by enforcing religious orthodoxy among the Jews and Muslims converts. Expand +

Giuliano della Rovere is elected Pope Julius II on November 1, 1503, following the death of Pope Pius III. Julius II was known as the "Warrior Pope" or Il Papa Terribile.  Expand +

The ceiling of the Sistine Chapel in Vatican City, painted by Michelangelo, is unveiled for the first time to the public. More

William Shakespeare's play "The Tempest" is performed for the first time at at the Banqueting House in Whitehall Palace in London, before King James I and his court. Shakespeare's company, The King's Men, staged the play for the court in honor of the wedding of Princess Elizabeth.

Benjamin Franklin opens the first subscription library in the United States in Philadelphia. This pioneering institution was founded by Franklin and other members of his "Junto" club as a way for members to share the cost of buying books they could not afford individually.

Lisbon, Portugal, is struck by a devastating earthquake, tsunami, and fires, resulting in significant destruction and loss of life. Gigantic fissures of up to 15 feet wide tore through the center of Lisbon. Estimates of casualties range from 30,000 to 60,000. Major damage and casualties also occurred in Spain and Northern Africa. More

The Stamp Act takes effect in the American colonies, requiring a tax on various printed materials such as legal documents, newspapers, and playing cards, leading to widespread protests against British taxation without representation.

President John Adams moves into a nearly completed, White House, during the last year of his only term as President. He sent a note to his wife Abigail, expected to arrive in Washington later that month, closing his letter to her saying “Before I end my letter, I pray Heaven to bestow the best of Blessings on this House and all that shall hereafter inhabit it. May none but honest and wise Men ever rule under this roof.”

The trial of 11 U.S. Communist Party leaders begins in New York City on November 1, 1948 for initial appearances, with the substantive proceedings beginning in 1949. It was a highly publicized event during the anti-communist fervor.  Expand +

Two Puerto Rican nationalists fail in an attempt to assassinate President Harry S. Truman who was staying at the Blair House in Washington D.C. while the White House was being renovated. by force their way into Blair House in Washington, D.C. One of the attackers was killed, along with a White House police officer. More

The United States conducts its first successful hydrogen bomb test, code-named "Ivy Mike." The detonation occurred at 7:15 AM local time on the island of Elugelab in the Enewetak Atoll, which corresponds to the evening of October 31st in the continental United States. More

The Suez Crisis begins as Israel invades the Sinai Peninsula, leading to international tensions and intervention. More

The European Union (EC), is officially created as the Maastricht Treaty, signed on February 7, 1992, becomes effective; establishing the beginning of a single market with free movement for people, goods, services and money. Expand +