Nov. 2, 1966: The Cuban Adjustment Act comes into force, allowing 123,000 Cubans opportunity to apply for permanent residence in the US.

Nov. 4, 1879: African American inventor Thomas Elkins patents refrigerating apparatus.

Nov. 4, 2008: Barack Obama becomes the first African-American to be elected President of the United States, defeating Republican candidate John McCain. 

Nov. 6, 1813: Chilpancingo congress declares Mexico independent of Spain.

Nov. 17, 1831: Ecuador and Venezuela separated from Greater Colombia.

Nov. 18, 1993: Black & white leaders in South Africa approve new democratic constitution.

Nov. 23, 2005: Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, is elected president of Liberia, the first woman to lead an African country.