This Month In YesterYear History - November

  

In "This Month in YesterYear History," we look back at the big pop culture moments from 

20 (2005), 25 (2000), and 30 (1995) years ago!   

Below, you'll find a little time capsule of what was significant during this month in history.  Hopefully, as you read these brief recaps of the past, you'll remember the who, when, and where of some long-tucked-away memories!  That's the whole point of this site! 

POINTS OF REFERENCE

2005:  On the 6th, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire opens in theaters, the 4th in the franchise and the eventual most successful movie of the year, earning $900 million.  On that same day, "The Evansville Tornado" killed 25 in Northwestern Kentucky and Southwestern Indiana.  On the 8th, the twenty-sixth studio album from Neil Diamond, "12 Songs," debuts.  On the 15th, Keith Urban and Gretchen Wilson win the top honors at the 39th Country Music Awards.  Also on the 15th, Boeing formally launches the stretch version of the 747, the 747-8, with orders from Cargolux and Nippon Cargo Airlines.  That same day, the 15th, Carrie Underwood released her debut album, "Some Hearts," which would win the 2006 Billboard Album of the Year award and the 2007 Grammy Award for Best New Artist.  On the 16th, CBS television broadcasts ”I Walk the Line: A Night For Johnny Cash” featuring concert performances by Dwight Yoakam, Martina McBride, U2, Norah Jones, Foo Fighters, Sheryl Crow, and many others.  On the 17th, the film adaptation of "Rent" premieres, starring Idina Menzel and Taye Diggs.  On the 18th, 20th Century Fox releases "Walk the Line," starring Joaquin Phoenix as Johnny Cash and Reese Witherspoon as June Carter.  Witherspoon would win the Academy Award for her role.  On the 20th, Tony Stewart wins the 57th NASCAR (Nextel) Cup Series Championship.  On the 22nd, Angela Merkel became the chancellor of Germany.  That same day, Ted Koppel retired from late-night news after 25 years hosting "Nightline with Ted Koppel" on ABC.  On the 27th, the first partial human face transplant was performed in France.  Former California Congressman Duke Cunningham admits to accepting bribes (up to $2.4 million) and pleads guilty to tax evasion and conspiracy to commit bribery.  On the 30th, the Boston Bruins traded the team's Captain, Joe Thornton, to the San Jose Sharks.  

2000:  On the 1st, Pat Riley became only the 2nd NBA coach to accumulate over 1,000 victories when the Miami Heat defeated the Orlando Magic 105-79.  The first crew arrives at the International Space Station on the 2nd.  The 4th studio album for R Kelly, "TP-2.com," is released on the 7th.  Also on the 7th, of slightly more importance, the election between George W. Bush and Al Gore ended with inconclusive results.  Eventually, as we know, Bush won out with a decision by the Supreme Court.  On the same Election Day, Hillary Clinton was elected to the US Senate, representing New York, a state where she had never lived.  She was technically still First Lady when she was elected to the office.  Al Gore's running mate, Joe Lieberman, was elected to his third term in the Senate, showing he was all-in on becoming VP... In other news on the 7th, the US Drug Enforcement Administration discovered the world's largest LSD lab inside a converted missile silo in Wamego, Kansas.  On the 11th, the twelfth edition of the "Holy War" between Notre Dame and Boston College ended in a 28-16 victory for Notre Dame in South Bend.  On the 12th, 155 skiers and snowboarders die when a funicular railway catches fire in an alpine tunnel in Austria.  A chartered Anatov AN-24 crashed during takeoff in Angola, killing 40 people on the 15th.  On the 16th, lame duck President Bill Clinton became the first President to visit Vietnam since the Vietnam War.  On the 19th, Martina Hingis wins the WTA Tour Championship at Madison Square Garden by defeating Monica Seles.  Bobby Labonte wins the 52nd NASCAR (Winston) Cup Championship on the 20th.  On the 27th, Norway opens the world's longest road tunnel.  It exceeds 15 miles (24 kilometers).  

1995:  On the 1st, a revival of William Shakespeare's "The Tempest," starring Patrick Stewart, opens on Broadway.  On the 3rd, the first NBA game ever is played at the new FleetCenter (now TD Garden) in Boston, where the Celtics lost in a nail-biter to the Milwaukee Bucks 101-100.  Also on the 3rd, the first NBA games are played in Toronto at the SkyDome (an expansion team) and Portland (at the new Rose Garden).  On the 4th, another new arena, KeyArena, opens in Seattle, where the Supersonics defeat the Lakers.  On the 5th, Andre Dallaire attempts to assassinate Canadian Prime Minister Jean Chrétien; he is thwarted when the PM's wife simply locks the door until police arrive.  On the 6th, the Cleveland Browns officially announced that they are moving to Baltimore at the start of the next season, leaving the Browns' name, logo, and colors in Cleveland for a new team to take over in 1999.  Also on the 6th, Yitzhak Rabin was buried in Israel after being assassinated by extremists who opposed peace in Palestine.  Good to see things have changed so much in 30 years.  On the 7th, Howard Stern's second book, "Miss America," is released, becoming the second fastest-selling book ever.  On the 12th, Jeff Gordon wins the NASCAR (Winston) Cup Series Championship.  On the 12th, Dan Marino broke the all-time passing record, reaching 47,003 yards.  On the 13th, GoldenEye, the 17th James Bond film, is released, starring Pierce Brosnan as James Bond.  On the 15th, the US Space Shuttle Atlantis docks with the Russian Space Station Mir.  On the 16th, Queen Elizabeth undergoes hip surgery, while Attorney General Janet Reno announces she has Parkinson's.  Steffi Graf defeats Anke Huber in the WTA Tour Championship at Madison Square Garden on the 19th.  On the 20th, Apple Records releases The Beatles' "Anthology 1," a double CD/triple LP, the first of a 3-part series of rare recordings and outtakes by The Beatles.  Also on the 20th, Princess Diana admitted to cheating on Prince Charles during a television interview.  On the 21st, Bruce Springsteen releases his 11th album, "The Ghost of Tom Joad," which wins him a Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Folk Album.  On the 22nd, Toy Story hits theaters, marking the first full-length feature film to utilize computer-generated imagery entirely.  On the 26th, Dan Marino set another record with his 343rd touchdown pass.  On the 29th, Bill Clinton lifted the ban on oil exports from the Alaskan North Slope, which had been imposed after the 1973 oil embargo by Arab oil producers.  On the 30th, the official end to Operation Desert Storm is announced.  

TOP MOVIES

2005: "Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire" - 

This film, directed by Mike Newell from the screenplay by Steve Kloves, was an adaptation of JK Rowling's 2000 novel of the same name.  This is the fourth installment of the Harry Potter film series and a direct sequel to Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (2004).  Starring Daniel Radcliffe again as Harry Potter, the film also stars Rupert Grint and Emma Watson, also reprising their roles as Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger.  The film marks a tonal shift towards darker themes, violence, and the complexities of teenage maturation.  The film was the second in the series, released in IMAX format.  

The story centers on Harry's fourth year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, where he is mysteriously selected by the Goblet of Fire to compete in the dangerous Tri-Wizard Tournament against older champions from rival schools.  Meanwhile, tensions and threats are increasing from the dark wizard Lord Voldemort.  

The film premiered worldwide on November 18, 2005, following a London world premiere on November 6, and received a simultaneous release in conventional theaters and IMAX venues, opening in up to 3,858 cinemas in the United States.  It earned $40 million on its North American opening day and $102.7 million over the weekend, making it the highest November debut at the time and a franchise record later surpassed by later entries.   Goblet of Fire topped the box office for three weeks, grossing $896 million worldwide ($290 million domestically), making it the highest-grossing film of 2005.

Critics largely praised the film for its "maturing characters," vibrant effects, and assured direction, earning an 88% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes and a score of 81/100 on Metacritic.  The consensus highlights its complexity and emotional depth.  Reviewers praised the leading cast, especially Radcliffe, for his nuanced performance, which demonstrated a broader emotional range than in his previous films.  The Wall Street Journal called it the series's most engaging and "downright scary" entry of the franchise.   

2000: "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" -  

This live-action version of the famed children's story, Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas, was directed and produced by Ron Howard.  Adapted from the 1957 children's book, it was the first full-length feature film from a Dr. Seuss book, and the first live-action version, following the 1966 animated television special.  Narrated by Anthony Hopkins, the film stars Jim Carrey as the grumpy, green-furred Grinch, a reclusive creature on Mount Crumpit who loathes Christmas and the cheerful Whos of Whoville.  Supporting roles are played by Jeffrey Tambor, Christine Baranski, Bill Irwin, and Molly Shannon.

Released by Universal Pictures on November 17, 2000, it was commercially considered a blockbuster, grossing $345.1 million worldwide ($260 million domestically and $85.1 million internationally), making it the highest-grossing film in the United States and the sixth-highest-grossing film worldwide in 2000.  

It held the top spot at the box office in the US for four weeks, setting records for opening weekends ($55.1 million) and second-weekend drops (only 5.1%), while topping Thanksgiving earnings at $73.8 million.  It remained the highest-grossing holiday film until surpassed by the 2018 animated version of The Grinch, selling an estimated 48.1 million North American tickets before ending its run on March 1, 2001.

At the 73rd Academy Awards in 2001, the film won the award for Best Makeup and Hairstyling.  It also received nominations for Best Production Design and Best Costume Design.  Carrey received a nomination for the Golden Globe for Best Actor in Musical or Comedy as well.

The movie was aired annually on ABC as a "Christmas tradition," often in late November, until 2014.  It was also aired on ABC/Disney-owned Freeform's 25 Days of Christmas from 2004 to 2015, paired with the 1966 cartoon.  Since 2017, NBC has aired the film on Christmas night, except in 2022, when it was preempted for an NFL game.  

Home Media was launched in November 2001, selling 8.5 million units in its first week, becoming the top holiday video of the time, earning an additional $296 million in revenue.  Blu-ray followed in 2009 and 2015, with a 4K remaster in 2017.     

For the Christmas season, Toys "R" Us transformed stores into "Whobilation Headquarters" with massive Grinch displays and character graphics, while Wendy's offered themed kids' meal toys.  Partners like Kellogg's, Nabisco, Hershey's, Visa, Coca-Cola, and the U.S. Postal Service amplified the campaign with special marketing.  Since 2000, Universal Studios Hollywood and Islands of Adventure in Orlando have hosted an annual holiday event, "Grinchmas."  

While a beloved film to some, the film received very mixed reviews, currently holding a 49% positive rating on Rotten Tomatoes.  Many critics have found fault with the dark humor of the film, and the general audience consensus today, in 2025, favors the original 1966 cartoon or the 2018 animated feature.  Roger Ebert gave the film only 2 stars, calling it "dank and eerie" and "lacking any festive brightness."  Ebert did, however, say that Carey was "born to play" the role, while Variety's Todd McCarthy found Carrey's "antics scattershot and adult-oriented."  Despite this, CinemaScore rates the film A-.  

1995: "Ace Ventura:  When Nature Calls" -  

This film was a direct sequel to 1994's Ace Ventura: Pet Detective, and was directed and written by Steve Oedekerk, a close collaborator with Jim Carrey from the first film.  This edition follows Carrey reprising his role as the eccentric animal detective Ace Ventura, who specializes in recovering escaped pets.  For this film, Ventura was summoned to Africa by diplomat Fulton Greenwall (Ian McNeice) to find the sacred white bat Shikaka.  This bat was stolen and is threatening war between the Wachati and Wachootoo tribes.  Overcoming his bat phobia, Ventura must navigate tribal politics while uncovering a corrupt plot by Vincent Cadby (Simon Callow). 

The supporting cast includes Sophie Okonedo as the Wachati princess, Maynard Eziashi as Prince Ouda, and a cameo by Tommy Davidson, Carrey's co-star from In Living Color.  The film was shot across several locations, including South Carolina, San Antonio, Texas, and British Columbia, Canada, with production beginning in June 1995.  

The film debuted less than 5 months after the start of filming, on November 10, 1995.  It debuted at number one, grossing $37.8 million in its opening weekend. The film earned $108.3 million domestically and $104 million internationally, totaling $212.3 million worldwide. This surpassed its predecessor and proved a significant financial hit against its modest budget.  The success capitalized on Carrey's rising stardom following Dumb and Dumber, Ace Ventura, and The Mask, drawing audiences with the promise of escalated slapstick in exotic settings.

TOP SONGS

2005:  "Gold Digger" by Kanye West featuring Jamie Foxx

2000:  "Independent Woman Part I" by Destiny's Child

1995:  "Fantasy" by Mariah Carey

TOP TELEVISION NEWS

November 2005:

7th:  The Children's program "Charlie and Lola" debuts on Playhouse Disney.

8th:  Drew Carey's Green Screen Show comes to an end on Comedy Central after one season.

13th:  WWE wrestler Eddie Guerrero dies at the age of 38.  After being found in his hotel room, the WWE scrapped their planned Raw and SmackDown tapings later that night and filmed tributes to Guerrero instead.  The tributes aired on November 14th and 18th, respectively.  

14th:  Power Rangers S.P.D. comes to an end on Toon Disney after less than a full season.

22nd: Ted Koppel resigns as host of ABC's Nightline after 25 years. 

27th:  The Bill Cosby animated series "Fatherhood" comes to an end after 26 episodes on Nick at Nite.  

November 2000:  

1st:  The series "Normal, Ohio" debuts on FOX.  The series starred John Goodman as a gay man returning to his conservative hometown.  The series lasted six episodes before being canceled due to poor ratings.  

FOX also launched The $treet, a drama series that produced twelve episodes.  Only seven saw air before being canceled in December.

4th:  The final episode of All That airs on Nickelodeon.  The show only aired 13 episodes of the final season before being put on hiatus, while Nickelodeon ran compilations for the remainder of the year.  Nickelodeon announced plans to revive the show after a complete retooling following the cancellation.  The show was relaunched in 2002 and ran for 3 seasons.  It was again relaunched in 2019 but ended after one season.

10th:  The original run of Double Dare (by now named Double Dare 2000) officially comes to an end after its start in 1986.  It would return briefly to Nickelodeon in 2018.

14th:  DAG, the series named for actor David Allen Grier, debuts on NBC, in which he starred as a Secret Service Agent.  Delta Burke also starred as the First Lady.  It ran for one full season before being canceled.

17th:  A personal favorite of mine in high school, Sheep in the Big City, debuted on Cartoon Network.  It ran for two seasons and a total of 26 episodes.  

18th:  Animated series Pepper Ann comes to an end after four seasons.  It began on Saturday Mornings on ABC in 1997, before moving to UPN for its final season.

24th:  The Roseanne Show, a pretty fun syndicated talk show featuring Roseanne Barr, comes to an end after two seasons.  

November 1995:

2nd:  Characters from various NBC sitcoms appear on different programs in a planned cross-promotional event.  The leads from Caroline in the City appear on Friends, while Friends' Ross appears on The Single Guy, and Friends' Chandler appears on Caroline in the City. 

6th:  A childhood favorite of many, Little Bear debuts on Nick Jr.  The show has recently experienced a resurgence in popularity in recent years, primarily due to parents seeking "low stimulation" television for their children.

7th:  Major League Baseball reaches a television deal with FOX and NBC, allowing the former to obtain MLB game rights.  Fox paid $575 million for the five-year contract, a fraction of the amount CBS had paid for the Major League Baseball television rights for the 1990–1993 seasons.

20th:  One Life to Live broadcasts its 7,000th episode on ABC, debuting a new opening sequence to mark the event.  

"Rox and Computer Chronicles" is broadcast over the Internet, marking the first-ever television broadcast on the Internet. 

25th:  The popular kids' game show, Legends of the Hidden Temple, was cancelled by Nickelodeon, having run for 3 seasons.  It was briefly revived by The CW in 2021.

27th:  The original Mighty Morphin Power Rangers comes to an end after three seasons.  It was succeeded by numerous variants, but most directly by Mighty Morphin Alien Rangers in 1996.