This Day In History, November 28th.
Five Historical Events That Happened on November 28th
Ferdinand Magellan, a Portuguese adventurer, reaches the Pacific Ocean after sailing through the strait that bears his name in 1520.
The Royal Society, one of the world's oldest scientific institutions, has its inaugural meeting in London in 1660.
The first American automobile race is held in Chicago in 1895, with six automobiles racing in a 54-mile race.
In Boston, Massachusetts, the Cocoanut Grove fire, one of the worst nightclub disasters in history, kills 492 people and injures hundreds more.
Air New Zealand Flight 901 crashes into Antarctica's Mount Erebus, killing all 257 passengers and personnel on board.
1520: Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan reaches the Pacific Ocean after sailing through the strait that now bears his name.
Ferdinand Magellan and his crew arrived in the Pacific Ocean on November 28th, 1520, after sailing through the channel that would subsequently bear his name, the channel of Magellan. This was an important accomplishment since it was the first time a European expedition successfully sailed from the Atlantic to the Pacific. Because it was much calmer than the treacherous waters they had encountered in the strait, Magellan named the ocean "Mar Pacifico," which means "peaceful sea" in Spanish. The trip resulted in the first circumnavigation of the world, albeit Magellan was slain in the Philippines before completing the mission.
1660: The Royal Society, one of the oldest scientific academies in the world, holds its first meeting in London.
The Royal Society of London for Improving Natural Knowledge conducted its inaugural meeting on November 28th, 1660, at Gresham College in London. The Royal Society was created by a group of scientists and intellectuals who wanted to enhance scientific knowledge via research and observation. It is one of the world's oldest and most prominent scientific institutions. The organization has made substantial contributions to scientific development, and many of its members have achieved ground-breaking discoveries and innovations. Today, the Royal Society promotes scientific research and education and is a respected voice on science and technology issues.
1895: The first American automobile race takes place in Chicago, with six cars competing in a 54-mile race.
The first car race in the United States took place in Chicago on November 28, 1895. The Chicago Times-Herald newspaper arranged the event, which featured six vehicles racing 54 miles from Chicago to Evanston and back. J. Frank Duryea and his brother Charles created the winning car, a gasoline-powered vehicle that completed the course in little over 10 hours at an average speed of around 5 miles per hour. The race was a key event in vehicle history, and it aided in the growth of the automobile industry in the United States.
1942: Cocoanut Grove fire, one of the deadliest nightclub fires in history, kills 492 people and injures hundreds more in Boston, Massachusetts.
On November 28, 1942, a fire broke out at Boston's Cocoanut Grove nightclub, killing 492 people and injuring hundreds more. The fire started when a busboy used a match to replace a light bulb, which burned some surrounding paper and fabric decorations. The fire soon spread throughout the crammed club, which lacked sufficient fire escapes and safety equipment. Many of the victims were trapped inside the building, while others were overcome by toxic gases and smoke. The Cocoanut Grove disaster is still remembered as one of the worst nightclub tragedies in history, and it resulted in important revisions in fire safety standards and construction rules throughout the United States.
1979: Air New Zealand Flight 901 crashes into Mount Erebus in Antarctica, killing all 257 passengers and crew on board.
Air New Zealand Flight 901 crashed into Mount Erebus in Antarctica on November 28th, 1979, killing all 257 passengers and crew on board. The trip was a sightseeing tour to Antarctica, and the incident was caused by a navigational error that caused the plane to smash into the side of a mountain. The accident was one of the worst aircraft catastrophes in history, and it had a large impact on New Zealand since many of the deceased were important individuals and community leaders. The disaster triggered a thorough investigation and a reassessment of air safety standards, and it remains one of New Zealand's most terrible incidents.