Timeless Clips for Your New Stories
Explore historical stock videos from November events with archival footage from our vast editorial library. Discover top-quality, timely inspiration for your marketing calendars, news, or documentary projects. This month, we feature the One World Trade Center, US Election Day, World Children’s Day, the Alcan Highway, and the Nobel Prize.
One World Trade Center Officially Opens
November 3, 2014
After 9/11, Daniel Libeskind won a competition to design a new complex at Ground Zero, envisioning a bold, asymmetrical “Freedom Tower.” However, in 2004, developer Larry Silverstein’s preferred architect, David Childs, took over, opting for a more traditional design. At the NYPD’s request, he added a bomb-proof concrete base.
Architecture critic Nicolai Ouroussoff called this base “a grotesque attempt to hide [the building’s] underlying paranoia,” but others were more positive. Kurt Andersen saw the tower’s slow construction as a symbol of renewal, noting that the long process made its message of rebirth even stronger. Today, the tower honors the past while looking to the future.
Explore more in our One World Trade Center curated collection.
‘Aerial View Shot Of New York City Ny, Nyc, Golden Hour Video’ by FilmRAW.
US Election Day
November 5, 2024
Election Day is almost here, but do you know where it all began? In 1845, Congress established—stay with me here— the first Tuesday following the first Monday in November as the official Election Day.
This choice was influenced by the 1800s farming culture, where most citizens lived far from their polling places and needed a day to travel. Weekends were reserved for church, and Wednesdays were market days, making Tuesday the most practical option. November was selected as it fell after the harvest but before harsh winter weather.
See the impact of Election Day’s past with our curated US Election Day collection.
‘1960S Yes, I Voted! Get Out Election Voter Rights Voting Vote Vintage Film Movie Video’ by DogPhonics.
World Children’s Day
November 20, 2024
Universal Children’s Day celebrates two milestones: the 1959 UN Declaration of the Rights of the Child and the 1989 Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC). The UNCRC is the most widely accepted human rights treaty, with 194 countries committed to protecting children’s rights to education, health, safety, and more. Each country is required by international law to uphold these rights.
Today, children are speaking out on urgent issues like conflict, climate change, mental health, racism, and gender discrimination. We must help make their vision for a better world a reality.
Amplify young voices with our World Children’s Day curated collection.
‘Afghan Children Looking At Camera Video’ by InternationalFilmMaker
The Alcan Highway Opens
November 21, 1942
The Alaska Highway, also known as the Alcan Highway, was the most expensive US construction project during World War II, costing about $2.3 billion in today’s money. Work began after the Pearl Harbor attack with an aim to help protect Alaska and the lower 48 states.
Construction was a massive challenge, with 10,000 soldiers using steam shovels, graders, tractors, and trucks to carve the road through challenging terrain. The muskeg bogs, acting like quicksand, often trapped vehicles, and tractors had to pull them out. Upon the highway’s completion, Greyhound buses were the first to carry tourists along the route. Today, it sees about 300,000 travelers each year.
Browse vintage footage in our Alcan Highway curated collection.
‘The Building Of The Alaskan Highway In 1942. Video’ by retrofootage
Alfred Nobel Signs His Will
November 27, 1895
On this day in Paris, Alfred Nobel made a decision that would shape history. The inventor of dynamite, and one of the world’s wealthiest men, quietly signed his will. Just over a year later, its contents stunned friends, family, and the world.
Nobel had left the majority of his fortune to establish the Nobel Prizes. His instructions stating that each of these awards go to people who make the greatest contributions to humanity in fields like peace, science, and literature. This bold act created what would become one of the world’s most prestigious honors.
Discover a collection dedicated to previous Nobel Prize Winners.
‘1963 – Dr. Martin Luther King Gives His I Have A Dream Speech At The Lincoln Video’ by retrofootage
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