Major Events of November 1914: Key Historical Moments from the Month
Each month is marked by defining moments that shape the course of history. Whether through political shifts, cultural movements, or world-changing events, these periods leave a lasting impression. Dive into the most important events from November 1914 and discover how they influenced the world both then and now.

Major Events of November 1914: Key Historical Moments from the Month
- 02 Nov 1914 The Only Girl musical premieres on Broadway: The musical 'The Only Girl,' composed by Victor Herbert with a book and lyrics by Henry Blossom, premiered at the 39th Street Theatre in New York City on November 2, 1914. The production ran for 240 performances before transferring to the Lyric Theatre, where it concluded on June 5, 1915. source: ibdb.com
- 05 Nov 1914 World War I: Allied Powers declare war on Ottoman Empire: Following the Ottoman Empire's attack on Russian Black Sea ports on October 29, 1914, the Allied Powers, including Britain and France, declared war on the Ottoman Empire on November 5, 1914, marking its entry into World War I on the side of the Central Powers. source: theworldwar.org
- 06 Nov 1914 British offensive in Mesopotamia during World War I: On November 6, 1914, British forces initiated an offensive in Mesopotamia, landing at Fao on the Faw Peninsula. This operation aimed to secure the Persian Gulf and protect British interests in the region during World War I. source: royal-irish.com
- 07 Nov 1914 Japanese capture of Kiaochow Bay and Tsingtao: On November 7, 1914, Japanese forces, aided by a British and Indian battalion, captured the German naval base at Tsingtao in China. This action was part of Japan's efforts to expand its influence in East Asia during World War I. source: historyplace.com
- 09 Nov 1914 First Battle of Ypres begins: The First Battle of Ypres began on November 9, 1914, as Allied and German forces clashed in Western Belgium. This battle was part of the broader struggle for control of the Western Front during World War I. source: historyplace.com
- 10 Nov 1914 First Battle of Ypres: German offensive in Western Belgium: On November 10, 1914, German forces launched an offensive in Western Belgium during the First Battle of Ypres. This engagement was part of the larger conflict for control of the Western Front in World War I. source: historyplace.com
- 11 Nov 1914 Ottoman Sultan declares jihad in World War I: On November 11, 1914, Sultan Mehmed V of the Ottoman Empire declared a holy war against the Entente powers, urging Muslims worldwide to support the Ottoman cause. This proclamation was initially presented on November 11 and published in Takvim-i Vekayi the following day. The declaration included five fatwas endorsed by 29 religious authorities. source: en.wikipedia.org
- 15 Nov 1914 First Battle of Ypres - Critical World War I Engagement: The First Battle of Ypres, fought from October 19 to November 22, 1914, was a significant World War I engagement around the city of Ypres in western Flanders, Belgium. Both Allied and German forces attempted to outflank each other, but neither achieved a decisive breakthrough, leading to a stalemate and the establishment of trench warfare on the Western Front. source: britannica.com
- 20 Nov 1914 US passport photography requirement introduced: In late 1914, Secretary of State William Jennings Bryan mandated that passport applicants submit two unmounted photographs, each no larger than three inches by three inches. This measure aimed to enhance the accuracy and security of passports during wartime. source: blog.oup.com
- 21 Nov 1914 Yale Bowl opens with Harvard-Yale football game: The Yale Bowl, the first bowl-shaped stadium in the U.S., opened on November 21, 1914, hosting the annual Harvard-Yale football game. The inaugural game saw Harvard defeat Yale 36–0, with an attendance of over 68,000 spectators. source: en.wikipedia.org
- 22 Nov 1914 British forces capture Basrah: On November 22, 1914, British forces captured Basrah, Iraq, during World War I, marking a significant advance in the Mesopotamian campaign. source: en.wikipedia.org
- 26 Nov 1914 Battle of Łódź: The Battle of Łódź, fought from November 11 to December 6, 1914, was a significant engagement between German and Russian forces during World War I, resulting in a German victory. source: en.wikipedia.org
- 27 Nov 1914 Battle of Kolubara in World War I: The Battle of Kolubara, fought from November 16 to December 15, 1914, was a significant engagement between Serbian and Austro-Hungarian forces during World War I, resulting in a Serbian victory. source: en.wikipedia.org
- 28 Nov 1914 New York Stock Exchange Reopens During World War I: The New York Stock Exchange reopened on November 28, 1914, after a four-month closure due to World War I, resuming trading with a focus on war-related industries. source: nytimes.com