November 14: Holidays, Historical Events, Famous Birthdays & Zodiac Sign
On this day in 1851, Herman Melville’s legendary masterpiece, Moby-Dick, was first released to the world.
Quick Facts for November 14
- Zodiac sign: Scorpio
- Day of year: 318
About November 14
November 14 serves as a global moment for health awareness through World Diabetes Day, a day dedicated to spreading vital information about the condition. In India, the date is marked by Children's Day, honoring the birthday of Jawaharlal Nehru, a foundational figure in the nation's history. It is also a day of reflection for Colombian women, celebrating their contributions and heritage.
The day's historical tapestry is woven with scientific and cultural breakthroughs. From the celestial moment in 1680 when astronomers first identified a comet using a telescope, to the 20th-century milestone of NASA launching the Apollo 12 mission, November 14 has consistently been a date where humanity pushes the boundaries of what it understands about the universe.
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
- National Spicy Guacamole Day — Add some extra heat to your tortilla chips today!
- National Pickle Day — Celebrate with your favorite crunchy and vinegary snack.
- National Family PJ Day — Get cozy and wear your most comfortable pajamas with loved ones.
- National American Teddy Bear Day — Give your favorite stuffed animal an extra big hug.
- Loosen Up, Lighten Up Day — Take a deep breath and let go of your daily stresses.
- International Girls Day
- National Seat Belt Day
- Operating Room Nurse Day
- Spirit of National Speakers Association Day
On This Day in History
- -332 — Alexander the Great ascended to the position of pharaoh in the nation of Egypt.
- 1680 — German astronomer Gottfried Kirch spotted the Great Comet of 1680, the very first comet seen via telescope.
- 1770 — Explorer James Bruce located what he believed to be the original source of the Nile River.
- 1851 — The iconic American novel Moby-Dick was published by Herman Melville in the United States.
- 1889 — Journalist Nellie Bly launched her daring quest to circumnavigate the globe in under eighty days.
- 1910 — Aviator Eugene Burton Ely achieved the first takeoff from a ship using a Curtiss pusher aircraft.
- 1922 — The British Broadcasting Company officially commenced its radio broadcasting services within the United Kingdom.
- 1960 — Ruby Bridges made history by becoming the first African American child to integrate a white elementary school.
- 1967 — Physicist Theodore Maiman was granted a patent for creating the world's inaugural ruby laser system.
- 1969 — NASA successfully launched the Apollo 12 mission, marking the second crewed voyage to the moon.
- 1971 — The Mariner 9 spacecraft successfully entered the orbit of the planet Mars.
- 2003 — Astronomers identified Sedna, a distant dwarf planet located in the trans-Neptunian region.
Famous Birthdays on November 14
- 1765 — Robert Fulton, An American engineer credited with pioneering the development of the steamboat.
- 1840 — Claude Monet, A legendary French painter and a central figure in the Impressionist movement.
- 1889 — Jawaharlal Nehru, The influential lawyer who served as the inaugural Prime Minister of India.
- 1891 — Frederick Banting, A Nobel Prize-winning Canadian physician celebrated for his massive medical contributions.
- 1907 — Astrid Lindgren, A highly acclaimed Swedish author and screenwriter known for her storytelling.
- 1948 — Charles III, The reigning King of the United Kingdom and several Commonwealth realms.
- 1954 — Condoleezza Rice, An American political scientist who served as the 66th United States Secretary of State.