November 4 is a significant date in world history, associated with important political developments, archaeological discoveries, international conflicts, scientific achievements and cultural milestones. It is remembered for the discovery of the entrance to the tomb of the Egyptian pharaoh Tutankhamun, the beginning of the Iran Hostage Crisis, the assassination of Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin and the implementation of the Paris Climate Agreement.
The date also holds an important place in Indian history, particularly for the presentation of the Draft Constitution of India by Dr B. R. Ambedkar in 1948.
Here is a chronological account of notable events, achievements, births and deaths associated with November 4.
1. Major Historical Events on November 4
1509 – Afonso de Albuquerque becomes Portuguese Governor of India
Afonso de Albuquerque succeeded Francisco de Almeida as the Portuguese Governor in India. His administration played a major role in expanding Portuguese political and commercial influence along the Indian Ocean and the western coast of India.
1677 – William of Orange marries Mary
William of Orange married Mary, daughter of James, Duke of York, in London. Their marriage later became historically significant when they jointly assumed the English throne during the Glorious Revolution of 1688.
1783 – George Washington announces his farewell to the Continental Army
Following the American Revolutionary War, the process of demobilising the Continental Army advanced as American independence became established.
1791 – Battle of the Wabash
American forces under General Arthur St. Clair suffered a devastating defeat against a confederation of Native American warriors in present-day Ohio. It became one of the most significant Native American victories against the United States military.
1842 – Abraham Lincoln marries Mary Todd
Abraham Lincoln, who later became the 16th President of the United States, married Mary Todd in Springfield, Illinois. Mary later became the First Lady of the United States.
1869 – First issue of Nature is published
The scientific journal Nature published its first issue in Britain. It subsequently became one of the world’s most influential scientific publications.
1879 – Mechanical cash register receives a patent
James Ritty of Dayton, Ohio, received a patent for a mechanical cash register. The invention helped establish the foundation for modern retail transaction-recording systems.
1884 – Grover Cleveland is elected President of the United States
Grover Cleveland won the American presidential election, defeating Republican candidate James G. Blaine. He became the 22nd President of the United States.
1918 – Armistice of Villa Giusti takes effect
The armistice between Italy and Austria-Hungary took effect, ending major hostilities between the two countries during the First World War.
1918 – Poet Wilfred Owen is killed
British war poet Wilfred Owen was killed in action near the Sambre–Oise Canal in France, just one week before the end of the First World War.
1921 – Japanese Prime Minister Hara Takashi is assassinated
Japanese Prime Minister Hara Takashi was assassinated at Tokyo Station by a young railway worker. His death marked a significant moment in Japan’s political history.
1922 – Entrance to Tutankhamun’s tomb is discovered
British archaeologist Howard Carter and his team discovered the first steps leading to the tomb of the Egyptian pharaoh Tutankhamun in the Valley of the Kings.
This discovery became one of the most celebrated archaeological achievements of the twentieth century. The tomb was opened later that month, revealing extraordinary treasures from ancient Egyptian civilisation.
1924 – First women elected as state governors in the United States
Nellie Tayloe Ross of Wyoming and Miriam A. Ferguson of Texas made history by becoming the first women elected as governors in the United States.
1946 – UNESCO officially comes into existence
The Constitution of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) came into force on November 4, 1946.
UNESCO works to promote international cooperation in education, science, culture and communication.
1948 – Dr B. R. Ambedkar introduces the Draft Constitution of India
Dr B. R. Ambedkar, Chairman of the Drafting Committee of the Indian Constitution, formally introduced the Draft Constitution before the Constituent Assembly of India.
This was an important milestone in India’s constitutional history. The Constitution was adopted on November 26, 1949, and came into effect on January 26, 1950.
1952 – National Security Agency is established
The United States established the National Security Agency (NSA), an intelligence organisation responsible for signals intelligence and information security.
1954 – Himalayan Mountaineering Institute is inaugurated
The Himalayan Mountaineering Institute in Darjeeling was inaugurated by India’s first Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru. It became an important institution for mountaineering education and training in India.
1956 – Soviet forces intervene in Hungary
Soviet military forces launched a major intervention to suppress the Hungarian Revolution, which had begun in October 1956. The intervention crushed the uprising against Soviet influence.
1979 – Iran Hostage Crisis begins
Iranian student militants seized the United States Embassy in Tehran, taking American diplomats and staff hostage.
The crisis lasted 444 days and became a major international diplomatic confrontation between Iran and the United States. The hostages were released in January 1981.
1980 – Ronald Reagan wins the US presidential election
Republican candidate Ronald Reagan defeated incumbent President Jimmy Carter in the United States presidential election. Reagan subsequently served as the 40th President of the United States.
1995 – Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin is assassinated
Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin was assassinated in Tel Aviv after attending a peace rally supporting reconciliation between Israelis and Palestinians.
His assassination shocked the international community and dealt a major blow to the Middle East peace process. Rabin had received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1994.
2008 – Barack Obama is elected President of the United States
Barack Obama defeated Republican candidate John McCain in the American presidential election.
He became the first African American to be elected President of the United States and went on to serve two terms in office.
2016 – Paris Climate Agreement comes into force
The Paris Agreement, an international treaty addressing climate change, officially entered into force.
The agreement aims to limit global temperature increases and strengthen international efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
2020 – Tigray War begins
A major armed conflict began in Ethiopia’s Tigray region following escalating tensions between the Ethiopian federal government and the Tigray People’s Liberation Front.
2. Important Events in Indian History
November 4 has particular significance in India’s constitutional, political and cultural history.
- 1509: Afonso de Albuquerque assumed the position of Portuguese Governor in India.
- 1889: Jamnalal Bajaj, Indian industrialist and freedom movement supporter, was born.
- 1925: Ritwik Ghatak, renowned Indian filmmaker, was born.
- 1929: Shakuntala Devi, internationally recognised mathematical prodigy, was born.
- 1948: Dr B. R. Ambedkar introduced the Draft Constitution before the Constituent Assembly.
- 1954: The Himalayan Mountaineering Institute was inaugurated in Darjeeling.
The presentation of the Draft Constitution in 1948 remains one of the most important milestones associated with this date in modern Indian history.
3. Famous People Born on November 4
Some notable personalities born on this date include:
| Year | Personality | Known for |
|---|---|---|
| 1879 | Will Rogers | American humorist and social commentator |
| 1889 | Jamnalal Bajaj | Indian industrialist and freedom movement supporter |
| 1916 | Walter Cronkite | American television journalist |
| 1918 | Art Carney | American actor |
| 1925 | Ritwik Ghatak | Indian filmmaker |
| 1929 | Shakuntala Devi | Indian mathematical prodigy |
| 1933 | Charles K. Kao | Physicist and Nobel laureate |
| 1946 | Laura Bush | Former First Lady of the United States |
| 1946 | Robert Mapplethorpe | American photographer |
| 1950 | Markie Post | American actress |
| 1951 | Traian Băsescu | Former President of Romania |
| 1957 | Tony Abbott | Former Prime Minister of Australia |
| 1960 | Kathy Griffin | American comedian and actress |
| 1961 | Ralph Macchio | American actor |
| 1969 | Matthew McConaughey | American actor |
| 1969 | Sean Combs | American rapper and music producer |
4. Notable People Who Died on November 4
| Year | Personality | Known for |
|---|---|---|
| 1847 | Felix Mendelssohn | German composer and pianist |
| 1918 | Wilfred Owen | British First World War poet |
| 1921 | Hara Takashi | Prime Minister of Japan |
| 1928 | Arnold Rothstein | American businessman and gambler |
| 1995 | Yitzhak Rabin | Israeli Prime Minister and Nobel Peace Prize laureate |
| 2008 | Michael Crichton | American novelist and filmmaker |
| 2011 | Andy Rooney | American journalist and television commentator |
| 2015 | René Girard | French historian and philosopher |
5. Scientific, Cultural and Historical Highlights
Archaeology: The discovery of the entrance to Tutankhamun’s tomb in 1922 remains one of the greatest archaeological discoveries in history.
Constitutional history: The introduction of India’s Draft Constitution in 1948 marked an important step towards establishing the world’s largest written national constitution.
International relations: The Iran Hostage Crisis of 1979 became a defining episode in modern US–Iran relations.
Peace and diplomacy: The assassination of Yitzhak Rabin in 1995 demonstrated the challenges facing peace initiatives in the Middle East.
Climate change: The Paris Agreement entered into force in 2016, strengthening international cooperation to address global warming.
Science and education: UNESCO’s establishment in 1946 marked an important development in international cooperation in education, science and culture.
6. Important Days and Observances
November 4 does not have a widely recognised United Nations-designated international observance.
However, the date is associated with several historical commemorations:
- UNESCO’s anniversary of coming into existence (1946).
- Historical remembrance of the discovery of Tutankhamun’s tomb (1922).
- Reflection on India’s constitutional development.
- Historical remembrance of the Hungarian Revolution and Soviet intervention (1956).
The following day, November 5, is observed as World Tsunami Awareness Day, a United Nations-designated international observance.
7. November 4 – A Short Historical Calendar
| Year | Historical highlight |
|---|---|
| 1509 | Afonso de Albuquerque becomes Portuguese Governor in India |
| 1677 | William of Orange marries Mary |
| 1791 | Battle of the Wabash |
| 1842 | Abraham Lincoln marries Mary Todd |
| 1869 | First issue of Nature is published |
| 1879 | Mechanical cash register receives a patent |
| 1884 | Grover Cleveland elected US President |
| 1918 | Armistice of Villa Giusti takes effect |
| 1918 | Wilfred Owen killed in action |
| 1921 | Japanese Prime Minister Hara Takashi assassinated |
| 1922 | Entrance to Tutankhamun’s tomb discovered |
| 1924 | First women elected as US state governors |
| 1946 | UNESCO officially comes into existence |
| 1948 | Draft Constitution of India introduced |
| 1952 | US National Security Agency established |
| 1954 | Himalayan Mountaineering Institute inaugurated |
| 1956 | Soviet intervention in Hungary |
| 1979 | Iran Hostage Crisis begins |
| 1980 | Ronald Reagan wins US presidential election |
| 1995 | Yitzhak Rabin assassinated |
| 2008 | Barack Obama elected US President |
| 2016 | Paris Climate Agreement comes into force |
| 2020 | Tigray War begins |
Editorial Note
November 4 offers a fascinating glimpse into the political, cultural, scientific and social developments that have shaped the modern world. From the remarkable archaeological discovery of Tutankhamun’s tomb to the constitutional achievements of Dr B. R. Ambedkar, the date represents important chapters in human civilisation.
It also reminds us of the consequences of political violence through the assassination of Yitzhak Rabin, the complexities of international diplomacy through the Iran Hostage Crisis, and the importance of global cooperation through the Paris Climate Agreement.
History is not simply a record of past events. It is an opportunity to understand the decisions, struggles, achievements and mistakes that continue to influence our present and future.
References for further reading
- History – This Day in History: November 4.
- Time and Date – November 4 in History.
- CareerIndia – Indian Historical Events on November 4.
- World History Project – November 4.
Prepared as a historical reference for general readers and students.
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