Today is Friday, November 14, the 318th day of 2025. There are 47 days left in the year.
Today in history:
On November 14, 1970, a chartered Southern Airlines plane crashed while attempting to land in West Virginia, killing all 75 people on board, including the Marshall University football team and coaching staff.
Also on this date:
In 1851, Herman Melville’s novel Moby-Dick, or The Whale, was published in the United States, about a month after its publication in Britain.
In 1889, journalist Nellie Bly began her attempt to travel around the world in 80 days; You will successfully complete the journey in just over 72 days via ships, trains and other means of transportation.
In 1910, Eugene B. Ely became the first pilot to take off from a ship when his Curtiss “Busher” biplane lifted off the deck of the cruiser USS Birmingham off Hampton Roads, Virginia. The civilian pilot’s flight marked the beginning of naval aviation.
In 1940, during World War II, German bombing raids destroyed much of the English city of Coventry.
In 1960, 6-year-old Ruby Bridges, guarded by federal marshals, became the first black child to desegregate an all-white elementary school in New Orleans.
In 1965, the US Army’s first major military engagement of the Vietnam War began with the beginning of the five-day Battle of La Drange.
In 1969, Apollo 12 launched to the Moon, three months after Apollo 11 became the first manned mission to land on it.
In 1972, the Dow Jones Industrial Average closed above 1,000 for the first time, ending the day at 1,003.16.
In 1993, Miami Dolphins coach Don Shula became the NFL’s winningest coach by defeating the Philadelphia Eagles. Including a previous coaching stint with the Baltimore Colts, Shula finished his 33-year career with 347 victories, 19 of them in postseason play.
In 2020, supporters of Republican President Donald Trump — unwilling to accept Democrat Joe Biden’s election victory — rallied across the country, including in Washington, D.C., where thousands turned out.
Today’s birthdays:
- Britain’s King Charles III is 77 years old.
- Director Zhang Yimou is 75 years old.
- Musician Yanni is 71 years old.
- Five-time Tour de France winner Bernard Hinault is 71 years old.
- Basketball Hall of Famer Jack Sikma is 70 years old.
- Rapper Joseph Simmons (Reverend Run of Run-DMC) is 61 years old.
- News anchor Bill Hemmer is 61 years old.
- Actor Josh Duhamel is 53 years old.
- Rock drummer Travis Barker (Flash-182) is 50 years old.
- Comedian Vanessa Bayer is 44 years old.
- Tennis player Sofia Kenin is 27 years old.