Yesterday Files

On This Day: November 14

Key moments from history that happened on November 14.

1. 1851

   Herman Melville's novel Moby-Dick was published in the United States.

   The tale of Captain Ahab's hunt for a white whale sold poorly at first but is now ranked among the classics of American literature. Melville drew on his own years at sea, including time aboard a whaling ship.

2. 1960

   Six-year-old Ruby Bridges integrated William Frantz Elementary School in New Orleans, escorted by federal marshals.

   A court order desegregating New Orleans schools took effect that day. Bridges walked past angry crowds and became a lasting symbol of the civil rights movement.

3. 1969

   Apollo 12 launched from Florida on the second crewed mission to land on the Moon.

   The crew of Pete Conrad, Richard Gordon and Alan Bean lifted off four months after Apollo 11 made the first lunar landing.

4. 1995

   The federal government partially shut down after President Bill Clinton and Congress deadlocked over spending.

   Clinton said that by noon almost half of all federal employees were idle because Congress had not passed the legislation needed to keep the government running.