December 11 stands as a significant date in history, marked by a diverse array of events that shaped the world. From pivotal political milestones to cultural and scientific breakthroughs, this day has witnessed moments that resonate through time. Whether it’s the formation of a state or a defining wartime decision, the stories of December 11 hold profound impact. Uncover the layers of this date to explore its lasting influence.
History
Major Historical Events
1816 – Indiana Becomes a State: On this day, Indiana was admitted as the 19th state of the United States, marking an important step in the westward expansion of the nation.
Its admission followed a period of rapid growth in the territory, driven by settlers seeking fertile land for farming.
1941 – Germany and Italy Declare War on the United States: Following the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, Nazi Germany and Fascist Italy declared war on the United States, escalating World War II into a truly global conflict.
This decision came just days after the U.S. entered the war against Japan.
1964 – Che Guevara Speaks at the United Nations: Revolutionary leader Che Guevara addressed the United Nations General Assembly in New York, delivering a fiery speech condemning imperialism and advocating for global revolution.
His appearance marked a pivotal moment in Cold War tensions.
1972 – Apollo 17 Lands on the Moon: The Apollo 17 mission, the final manned moon landing of the Apollo program, touched down on the lunar surface.
Astronauts Eugene Cernan and Harrison Schmitt conducted extensive scientific research during their stay, marking the last human visit to the moon to date.
2008 – Bernie Madoff Arrested for Ponzi Scheme: Financier Bernie Madoff was arrested for orchestrating one of the largest Ponzi schemes in history, defrauding investors of billions of dollars.
His arrest sent shockwaves through the financial world and led to widespread reforms in investment oversight.
Famous Birthdays
1803 – Hector Berlioz: The renowned French composer and conductor, known for his innovative orchestral works like “Symphonie Fantastique,” was born on this day in La Côte-Saint-André, France.
His contributions greatly shaped Romantic-era music.
1918 – Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn: The Russian novelist and historian, who exposed the brutalities of the Soviet gulag system in works like “One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich,” was born in Kislovodsk, Russia.
He later won the Nobel Prize in Literature.
1931 – Rita Moreno: The Puerto Rican actress, dancer, and singer, celebrated as one of the few performers to achieve EGOT status (Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, Tony), was born in Humacao, Puerto Rico.
She is best known for her role in “West Side Story.”
1943 – John Kerry: The American politician and diplomat, who served as U.S. Secretary of State under President Barack Obama and as a U.S. Senator from Massachusetts, was born in Aurora, Colorado.
He also ran as the Democratic presidential nominee in 2004.
1967 – Mo’Nique: The American comedian and actress, known for her powerful performance in the film “Precious,” for which she won an Academy Award, was born in Woodlawn, Maryland.
Her career spans stand-up comedy, television, and film.
1981 – Hailee Steinfeld: The American actress and singer, recognized for her breakout role in “True Grit” and later starring in the “Pitch Perfect” series, was born in Tarzana, California.
She has since become a prominent figure in Hollywood.
Notable Deaths
1282 – Llywelyn ap Gruffudd: The last native Prince of Wales was killed in battle on this day during a conflict with English forces under King Edward I.
His death marked the end of independent Welsh rule.
1964 – Sam Cooke: The legendary American soul singer, known for hits like “A Change Is Gonna Come,” was tragically shot and killed at the age of 33 in Los Angeles under controversial circumstances.
His music continues to influence generations.
2012 – Ravi Shankar: The Indian sitar virtuoso and composer, who popularized Indian classical music in the West and collaborated with The Beatles, passed away at the age of 92 in San Diego, California.
His legacy endures in global music culture.
2020 – John le Carré: The British author of espionage novels, including “The Spy Who Came in from the Cold,” died at the age of 89 in Cornwall, England.
His intricate storytelling redefined the spy thriller genre.
Today in Music History
1946 – Hank Williams Records First Songs: Country music legend Hank Williams recorded his first tracks for Sterling Records in Nashville, Tennessee, launching a career that would make him an icon with songs like “Your Cheatin’ Heart.”
1968 – The Rolling Stones Film “Rock and Roll Circus”: The Rolling Stones filmed their television special “Rock and Roll Circus,” featuring performances by The Who, John Lennon, and others.
Though not aired at the time, it later became a cult classic.
1970 – John Lennon Releases “Plastic Ono Band”: John Lennon’s deeply personal album “John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band” was released, showcasing raw emotion and introspection following the breakup of The Beatles.
It remains a landmark in his solo career.
Today in Sports History
1934 – Bill Wilson Founds Alcoholics Anonymous: While not a traditional sports event, Bill Wilson’s founding of Alcoholics Anonymous on this day indirectly impacted many athletes by providing a framework for recovery and personal discipline.
1947 – First NBA Game in Minneapolis: The Minneapolis Lakers played their first home game as part of the Basketball Association of America, which later became the NBA, marking the start of a storied franchise.
1981 – Muhammad Ali’s Final Fight: Boxing legend Muhammad Ali fought his last professional bout against Trevor Berbick in the Bahamas, losing by unanimous decision.
It marked the end of an extraordinary career.
2016 – Cristiano Ronaldo Wins Ballon d’Or: Portuguese soccer star Cristiano Ronaldo won his fourth Ballon d’Or award, recognizing him as the world’s best player for the year, following a stellar season with Real Madrid and Portugal.
Today in Military and Naval History
1862 – Battle of Fredericksburg Begins: During the American Civil War, Union forces under General Ambrose Burnside launched an ill-fated assault against Confederate positions at Fredericksburg, Virginia, resulting in a devastating Union defeat over the following days.
1941 – USS Swordfish Sinks Japanese Ship: The U.S. submarine USS Swordfish became the first American sub to sink a Japanese ship during World War II, marking an early naval success just days after Pearl Harbor.
1991 – End of Hostilities in El Salvador: A peace agreement was signed, leading to a ceasefire in El Salvador’s civil war, though formal peace accords were finalized later.
This day marked a turning point in the conflict.
Today in Tech and Science History
1958 – First U.S. Communications Satellite Launched: The U.S. Army launched SCORE, the world’s first communications satellite, which successfully broadcast a pre-recorded Christmas message from President Dwight D. Eisenhower.
1972 – Apollo 17’s Lunar Experiments: During the Apollo 17 mission, astronauts deployed scientific instruments on the moon, including a heat flow experiment, contributing valuable data to lunar studies.
1998 – Mars Climate Orbiter Launched: NASA launched the Mars Climate Orbiter, intended to study the Martian atmosphere, though it later failed due to a navigation error.
The launch marked a key moment in Mars exploration efforts.
2015 – First Reusable Rocket Landing: SpaceX achieved the first successful landing of a reusable Falcon 9 rocket booster, a milestone in reducing the cost of space travel and advancing commercial spaceflight.
Today in Art, Literature, and Culture
1909 – First Color Motion Picture: The first commercially successful color motion picture, using the Kinemacolor process, premiered in London, revolutionizing the film industry with early color technology.
1936 – Edward VIII’s Abdication Broadcast: King Edward VIII of the United Kingdom addressed the nation via radio to explain his decision to abdicate the throne for love, a cultural moment that captivated the world.
1961 – First American Ballet Broadcast: The New York City Ballet’s performance of “The Nutcracker” was broadcast on television for the first time, bringing ballet into American homes during the holiday season.
2009 – “Avatar” Premieres in London: James Cameron’s groundbreaking sci-fi film “Avatar” premiered, introducing cutting-edge 3D technology and becoming one of the highest-grossing films of all time.
Funny & Weird Historical Facts
1901 – First Nobel Prizes Awarded: The very first Nobel Prizes were awarded in Stockholm, Sweden, but a quirky detail is that the ceremony almost didn’t happen due to logistical issues with international attendees getting lost en route.
1932 – San Francisco’s “Snowfall” Hoax: A radio station in San Francisco broadcast a fake report of a massive snowfall in the city, fooling listeners despite the region’s typically mild winter weather.
1960 – French Army Uses Camels: In a bizarre military experiment, the French army briefly deployed camels for transport during operations in Algeria, an odd throwback to earlier colonial tactics.
Today in History for Kids
1816 – Indiana Joins the USA: Imagine a new piece being added to a giant puzzle of the United States.
On this day, Indiana became the 19th state, giving more families a place to call home in America.
1958 – A Satellite Says Merry Christmas: Long before video calls, a satellite named SCORE sent a Christmas message from space, recorded by President Eisenhower, making it the first time a voice was heard from the stars.
1972 – Last Trip to the Moon: Astronauts landed on the moon for the last time during Apollo 17.
They explored, took pictures, and even drove a special moon car called a rover.
2009 – “Avatar” Wows the World: A super cool movie called “Avatar” came out with amazing 3D effects, making people feel like they were inside a magical alien world.
Today in History Trivia & Interesting Facts
1862 – A Civil War Disaster: The Battle of Fredericksburg saw Union troops suffer massive casualties due to poor planning, with soldiers crossing a river under heavy fire in one of the war’s most tragic missteps.
1941 – A Submarine’s First Strike: The USS Swordfish’s sinking of a Japanese ship was not only a naval first for the U.S. in WWII but also a morale boost after the shock of Pearl Harbor.
1972 – Moon Rocks Galore: Apollo 17 astronauts collected over 240 pounds of lunar material, the largest haul from any moon mission, giving scientists tons of stuff to study for years.
2008 – A Financial Scandal: Bernie Madoff’s arrest revealed a scam so big that some victims lost their life savings overnight, showing how trust can be shattered in the blink of an eye.
2015 – SpaceX Makes History: When SpaceX landed a rocket after launching it into space, it was like teaching a car to park itself after a race—a game-changer for cheaper space trips.