1963: President Kennedy’s Burial Draws Historic Crowds
On November 25, 1963, the nation bid farewell to President John F. Kennedy as his body was laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery. A somber funeral procession passed through Washington, D.C., drawing an estimated 1 million people to the route. The moment became etched in history as a collective mourning for a leader whose life and presidency were cut tragically short. The eternal flame at Kennedy’s gravesite remains a symbol of his enduring legacy.
1783: British Troops Leave the United States
November 25, 1783, marked the final withdrawal of British forces from New York City, effectively ending their occupation after the Revolutionary War. This event, known as “Evacuation Day,” symbolized the full realization of American independence. During the evacuation, British officers also decided the fates of thousands of formerly enslaved Black individuals who had sought freedom by siding with the British, highlighting the complex and often tragic human cost of the war.
1961: USS Enterprise Commissioned as a Naval Marvel
The USS Enterprise, the world’s first nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, was officially commissioned on November 25, 1961. Measuring a record-breaking 1,123 feet (342 meters), it revolutionized naval engineering and warfare. The vessel, nicknamed “Big E,” played a critical role in Cold War military strategy, serving as a symbol of U.S. technological prowess and defense capabilities for more than 50 years.
1986: Iran-Contra Scandal Shocks the Nation
The Iran-Contra affair burst into public view on November 25, 1986, when President Ronald Reagan and Attorney General Edwin Meese revealed a controversial scheme involving secret arms sales to Iran. Profits from the sales were covertly funneled to Nicaraguan rebels, bypassing congressional restrictions. The scandal exposed significant flaws in government accountability and sparked widespread debates over executive power and foreign policy ethics.
2016: Fidel Castro, Icon of Revolution, Dies at 90
On November 25, 2016, Fidel Castro, the architect of the Cuban Revolution and a polarizing figure in global politics, died at the age of 90. Castro’s leadership transformed Cuba into a communist state that defied U.S. influence for decades, surviving multiple assassination attempts and economic embargoes. His death marked the end of an era, prompting reflections on his complex legacy in both Cuba and the wider world.
Today in History: December 5
Today in History: December 5:
On December 5, 1848, President James K. Polk sparked the Gold Rush of ’49 by confirming that gold had been discovered in California.
In 1933, national Prohibition came to an end as the 21st Amendment to the Constitution was ratified, thus repealing the 18th Amendment.
In 1952, the Great Smog of London descended on the British capital; the unusually thick fog, which contained toxic pollutants
Today in History: December 4
Today in History: December 4:
On Dec. 4, 1991, after being abducted and held for nearly seven years as a hostage by Hezbollah militants in Lebanon,Terry Anderson was released from captivity.
In 1783, Gen. George Washington bade farewell to his Continental Army officers at Fraunces Tavern in New York.
In 1969, Fred Hampton and Mark Clark of the Black Panther Party were shot and killed during a raid by Chicago police.
Today in History: December 3
Excerpts:Today in History: December 3:
In 1947, the Tennessee Williams play “A Streetcar Named Desire” opened on Broadway.
In 2015, Defense Secretary Ash Carter ordered the armed services to open all military jobs to women.
Today in History: December 2
Today in History: December 2:
In 1804, Napoleon crowned himself emperor of France in a coronation ceremony at Notre Dame de Paris cathedral.
In 2018, Israeli police recommended indicting Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on bribery charges, adding to a growing collection of legal troubles for the longtime leader.
  | Better Yourself, Lead Others 
| Personal Development Life Coach Certification 
|  
|
