In History, Today on November 30

Barbados officially became a republic, removing Queen Elizabeth II as its head of state and inaugurating its first President, Sandra Mason.

The United Nations announced that the world had reached a new milestone of 60 million COVID-19 cases globally.

A magnitude 7.1 earthquake struck Anchorage, Alaska, causing significant damage to infrastructure but no fatalities.

Typhoon Bopha, known in the Philippines as Typhoon Pablo, formed in the western Pacific Ocean and later became one of the deadliest typhoons to hit the Philippines.

The Treaty of Lisbon came into force, amending the constitutional basis of the European Union (EU), enhancing its efficiency, transparency, and democratic legitimacy, and improving the coherence of its external action.

John Sentamu was enthroned as the Archbishop of York, becoming the first black archbishop in the Church of England.

Lionel Messi made his official debut for FC Barcelona in a UEFA Champions League match against Shakhtar Donetsk.

NASA launched the STS-97 Space Shuttle Endeavour mission to the International Space Station (ISS). It was the 101st Space Shuttle mission, and the primary objective was to deliver and install the first set of solar arrays to provide electricity to the ISS.

The Seattle WTO protests, also known as the Battle of Seattle, occur as tens of thousands of activists demonstrate against the World Trade Organization's Ministerial Conference of 1999, causing the end of the talks without reaching an agreement.

The Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act was signed into law by U.S. President Bill Clinton, instituting federal background checks on firearm purchasers in the United States.

Michael Jackson released his sixth studio album, 'Thriller,' which became the best-selling album of all time.

Pink Floyd released their iconic album 'The Wall', which became one of the best-selling albums of all time.

Barbados gained independence from the United Kingdom, becoming a sovereign nation within the Commonwealth.

The first modern instance of a meteorite striking a human occurred in Sylacauga, Alabama, when a meteorite crashed through a roof and hit Ann Hodges.

The 1947–48 Civil War in Mandatory Palestine erupted following the United Nations General Assembly's approval of the United Nations Partition Plan for Palestine, which aimed to create separate Jewish and Arab states. The first violence broke out, marking the beginning of a conflict that would eventually lead to the first Arab-Israeli war.

The Battle of Tassafaronga occurred off the coast of Guadalcanal during World War II. A Japanese task force successfully challenged a larger U.S. Navy force, causing significant damage despite American numerical superiority. This battle was part of the broader Guadalcanal Campaign, crucial for control in the Pacific Theater.

The Winter War began as the Soviet Union invaded Finland, leading to a conflict that lasted until March 1940.

The Folies Bergère theater in Paris, France, is converted into a music hall to expand its entertainment offerings beyond plays and operas to variety performances, contributing significantly to the popularity and development of music halls in Europe.

The first-ever international football match took place between Scotland and England at Hamilton Crescent in Glasgow, ending in a 0-0 draw.

Mexico declares war on France after a dispute over debts owed to French citizens, marking the beginning of the Pastry War.

The United States and Spain signed the Treaty of Aranjuez, which was part of the negotiations leading to the Louisiana Purchase.

The Grand Duchy of Tuscany becomes the first modern state to abolish the death penalty.

The preliminary articles of peace, which would later become the Treaty of Paris, were signed in Paris, ending the American Revolutionary War between the United States and Great Britain.

An earthquake ravages parts of Beijing, causing significant destruction.

The Battle of Narva took place during the Great Northern War, where Swedish forces under King Charles XII defeated a much larger Russian army.

The Treaty of Westphalia is formally ratified, bringing an end to the Thirty Years' War in the Holy Roman Empire.

The League of Cambrai was formed, an alliance of European powers against the Republic of Venice intended to curb Venetian influence in Italy.

The Congress of Visegrád concluded. This was a significant diplomatic meeting between the monarchs of Poland, Hungary, and Bohemia, with the aim to establish closer cooperation and mutual defense against Habsburg hegemony in Central Europe.

Upon the death of Pope Honorius III, the papal conclave to elect his successor began, ultimately leading to the election of Pope Gregory IX in March 1227.

The Treaty of Meerssen was signed, dividing the Carolingian Empire among the sons of Louis the German and Charles the Bald, reshaping the political landscape of Western Europe.

Pippin of Herstal, the Frankish statesman and mayor of the palace of Austrasia, dies, leading to a period of civil war among his descendants over the control of the Frankish territories.

The Battle of Huoyi occurred, where the forces of the Tang dynasty, led by Li Shimin, defeated the Sui dynasty forces, marking a significant step in the establishment of the Tang dynasty.

The Battle of Adrianople took place, where Emperor Constantine I defeated his rival Licinius, consolidating his control over the Roman Empire.