History is the living memory of humanity’s struggles for freedom, social justice, and liberation from oppression and exploitation. Every day on the historical calendar preserves chapters of national uprisings, workers’ movements, social revolutions, and national liberation struggles. Revisiting these events is not merely an act of remembering the past; it is also an effort to understand the forces that drive history and to learn from the struggles and experiences of previous generations.
Afghanistan: The Execution of Habibullah Kalakani and His Companions
1 November 1929
On 1 November 1929, Habibullah Kalakani, popularly known as Bacha-e Saqaw, was executed alongside thirteen of his closest companions. This took place following the defeat of his short-lived rule and the return of Mohammad Nadir Khan to power. The execution of Kalakani and his companions remains one of the bloody episodes in Afghanistan’s political history during the early twentieth century, reflecting the struggles for power, prevailing social relations, and conflicts among political forces of that period.
Protest Against the Suppression of the Reform Movement in Britain
1 November 1819
Following the Peterloo Massacre in Manchester, where government forces violently attacked a peaceful gathering demanding political reform on 16 August 1819, protests against the government’s repressive policies spread across parts of Britain. On 1 November 1819, the Westminster Reform Society announced plans for a protest procession condemning the Peterloo massacre. This initiative formed part of the broader struggle for political liberties, popular representation, and resistance to government repression.
Uprising in Western Ukraine
1 November 1918
On 1 November 1918, Ukrainian forces took control of key public buildings and military installations in the city of Lviv and raised the Ukrainian national flag. This action was part of the efforts to establish Ukrainian independence following the collapse of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. The Western Ukrainian People’s Republic was formally established on 9 November of that year. However, 1 November remains historically significant for the transfer of power in Lviv and the assertion of Ukrainian political authority.
First Issue of North Korea’s Newspaper Chongro
1 November 1945
On 1 November 1945, the first issue of the North Korean newspaper Chongro was published. In September 1946, the publication was merged with another newspaper and renamed Rodong Sinmun. It subsequently became one of the principal official publications of the Workers’ Party of Korea and assumed an important position within the country’s political and media structure.
Attempted Assassination of US President Harry Truman
1 November 1950
On 1 November 1950, two Puerto Rican nationalists, Oscar Collazo and Griselio Torresola, launched an attack on Blair House in an attempt to assassinate US President Harry Truman. The President was staying there while the White House was undergoing renovation. Truman escaped unharmed, but White House police officer Leslie Coffelt and attacker Griselio Torresola were killed. Collazo was wounded and captured. The attack was a significant historical episode connected to Puerto Rico’s independence movement and the island’s political status under US rule.
Beginning of the Algerian War of Independence
1 November 1954
On 1 November 1954, the National Liberation Front (FLN) launched coordinated armed attacks against French colonial rule in Algeria. This day became known as Toussaint Rouge (Red All Saints’ Day) and marked the beginning of the Algerian War of Independence. The Algerian people fought against French colonialism for eight years, ultimately achieving independence in 1962. Their struggle stands among the major victories of the twentieth-century anti-colonial and national liberation movements.
Algerian Merchants Close Their Shops in Support of the Independence Struggle
1 November 1956
On 1 November 1956, the General Union of Algerian Merchants called on Muslim traders to close their shops in support of the struggle for independence against French colonial rule. According to historical records of the International Labour Organization, almost all Muslim traders in the Algiers region complied with the call. This action represented an important example of economic and civil resistance in support of national liberation, demonstrating that the struggle against colonialism extended beyond armed confrontation and involved different sections of society.
The Springhill Mining Disaster in Canada
1 November 1956
On 1 November 1956, an explosion occurred in a coal mine in Springhill, Nova Scotia, Canada. The disaster claimed the lives of 39 miners, while 88 others were rescued from underground. At the time of the explosion, 118 workers were inside the mine. This tragedy remains a painful reminder of the harsh and dangerous conditions faced by miners and the vital importance of protecting workers’ lives and safety.
The European Union Officially Comes into Existence
1 November 1993
On 1 November 1993, the Maastricht Treaty entered into force, officially establishing the European Union. The treaty marked a significant stage in the development of political and economic cooperation among European countries, the strengthening of common institutions, and the process of European integration. It expanded the framework of the former European Economic Community and introduced new forms of political and economic cooperation.
Historical Reflection
The first of November brings together different dimensions of history: Afghanistan’s political crises and violent transfers of power; the struggle for popular reform in Britain; the pursuit of national sovereignty in Ukraine; the emergence of a major publication of the Workers’ Party of Korea; Puerto Rico’s demand for independence; Algeria’s anti-colonial uprising; the sacrifices of miners and the struggle for workers’ safety; and a significant milestone in European political integration.
History is not merely the story of rulers, treaties, and changes of government. It is also the story of the struggles, sacrifices, and aspirations of ordinary people who have fought to transform their lives, secure their freedom, and shape their future. A materialist and critical understanding of history demonstrates that social transformations are inseparable from human struggle, the conflicts between social forces, and the changing conditions of historical development.
The Red Calendar: We study history, understand the struggle, and consciously build the future.
Compiled and Edited by: Hassanpour