November 14th

CFBDSIR 2149-0403 is discovered, the closest rogue planet to earth (100 light-years away).

Sebastian Vettel wins the Formula One World Drivers' Champion. At 23 years old, the German competitive race driver became the youngest person to win the World Championship in Formula One.

The most distant object ever found in our solar system, named Sedna, was discovered by astronomers at the Mount Palomar Observatory.

Nancy Pelosi of California became the first woman to lead a party in Congress.

The U.S. federal government began a partial shut down of government services after the U.S. Congress could not pass a budget.

First spacecraft to orbit a planet. NASA's Mariner 9 entered Mars' orbit after 167 days in space. Despite it being in Mars' orbit within 15 minutes, a dust storm on the planet made it impossible for Mariner 9 to take pictures of Mars until January.

Apollo 12, the second manned lunar expedition, was launched.

The British Broadcasting Corporation began its domestic radio service.

King C Gillette patents Gillette razor blade.

Power plant at Niagara Falls begins operation.

Nellie Bly set out to beat Jules Verne's fictional Phileas Fogg's time of 80 days to travel around the world. She did it in 72.

Herman Melville's novel Moby Dick was published.

Gottfried Kirch discovers the Great Comet of 1680 (Kirch's Comet/Newton's Comet).