This Day In History : November 30

2001 United States

Artificial Heart

Robert Tools, aged 59, the first person in the world to receive a fully self-contained artificial heart, died in Louisville, Kentucky. Doctors at Jewish Hospital in Louisville had implanted the AbioCor heart replacement in him on July 2, 2001. His pioneering surgery and subsequent experience played a significant role in advancing artificial heart technology and medical research.

Also on This Day in History November 30

Discover what happened on November 30 with HISTORY's summaries of major events, anniversaries,
famous births and notable deaths.

Births on This Day, November 30
  • 1874 Winston Churchill

    English Colonel, Journalist and politician who became the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom

  • 1889 Edgar D. Adrian

    English physiologist (Nobel 1932-function of neurons)

  • 1899 Andrew J. Moyer

    American microbiologist who invented a method for mass-producing the antibiotic penicillin

  • 1869 Gustaf Dalén

    Swedish physicist and industrialist (AGA, Nobel Prize in Physics 1912)

  • 1858 Jagadish Chandra Bose

    Indian physicist, polymath, inventor, writer

Deaths on This Day, November 30
  • 1845 Nils Gabriel Sefström

    Swedish chemist who discovered the element vanadium

  • 1694 Marcello Malpighi

    Italian physician, founder of the science of microscopic anatomy

  • 2018 George H. W. Bush

    American politician, 41st President of the United States

  • 2010 Rajiv Dixit

    Indian scientist and Swadeshi movement figure

  • 2008 Naomi Datta

    British geneticist and bacteriologist

2021

Barbados becomes a republic

Barbados became a republic on November 30, 2021. This historic event marked the country's transition from a constitutional monarchy with Queen Elizabeth II as head of state to a republic with a Barbadian president as head of state.
1934

LNER Class A3 4472 Flying Scotsman First Steam Locomotive to Reach 100 mph

On November 30, 1934, the LNER Class A3 4472 Flying Scotsman achieved the milestone of becoming the first steam locomotive to reach 100 mph (160.9 km/h) in England. This achievement marked a significant advancement in railway technology and set a speed record for steam locomotives at the time.
1609

Galileo Galilei Observes Moon's Irregularities with Telescope

On November 30, 1609, Galileo Galilei, in Padua, observed the moon through a telescope for the first time, noting its irregularities and making detailed drawings of its crescent face. This pivotal observation marked the beginning of modern astronomy, challenging existing beliefs about the moon's appearance and laying the foundation for further astronomical discoveries.
1936

Crystal Palace in London Destroyed by Fire

On November 30, 1936, the Crystal Palace in London, England, was destroyed by fire. This iconic glass and iron structure, originally built for the Great Exhibition of 1851, was a symbol of Victorian innovation and architecture. Its destruction in 1936 marked the end of an era and a significant loss to London's architectural heritage.
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