TODAY IN HISTORY: NOVEMBER 11

 

November 11

November 11th holds significant importance in many countries around the world. Known as Armistice Day, Remembrance Day, or Veterans Day, this date commemorates the end of World War I and honors the bravery and sacrifice of military veterans. Throughout history, November 11th has become a symbol of peace, reflection, and gratitude.

On November 11, 1918, at the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month, an armistice was signed between the Allies and Germany, effectively ending four years of brutal conflict. The armistice came into effect to cease hostilities on the Western Front and marked a crucial turning point in world history, ending the fighting that had devastated countless lives and entire nations.

Every year, on November 11th, individuals and communities observe a moment of silence at 11 am to honor the soldiers who fought and lost their lives in World War I and subsequent conflicts. This moment symbolizes the peace that was regained after years of bloodshed and serves as a reminder of the human cost of war. It is a time for reflection, gratitude, and remembrance.

In many countries, Remembrance Day is characterized by ceremonies held in town squares, war memorials, and cemeteries. People gather to pay their respects to the fallen soldiers and veterans, laying wreaths or poppies at the monuments. The red poppy flower has become a powerful symbol of remembrance and is often worn on clothing or displayed on vehicles during this time.

The significance of November 11th extends beyond World War I. It serves as a day to recognize and appreciate the service and sacrifice of veterans from all conflicts. In the United States, November 11th is celebrated as Veterans Day, a day to honor all military veterans who have served their country honorably.

Veterans Day in the United States is commemorated with parades, ceremonies, and speeches, expressing gratitude towards those who have defended freedom and democracy. Schools often organize educational activities to teach students about the importance of Veterans Day and to instill a sense of respect and appreciation for those who have served in the military.

As the years pass and World War I becomes a more distant memory, it is crucial to keep the spirit of November 11th alive. It is an opportunity for younger generations to learn about the sacrifices made by veterans and to understand the impact of war on individual lives and society as a whole.

In recent times, it has become even more important to acknowledge the contributions of veterans, as conflicts and wars continue to plague the world. Veterans Day is a reminder that the fight for peace and freedom is ongoing, and that it is the duty of every citizen to support and care for those who have served or are currently serving in the military.

On November 11th, we are reminded of the bravery, resilience, and selflessness of those who have risked their lives to protect our nations. It is a day to honor their service, to thank them for their sacrifice, and to work towards a world where war is no longer necessary.

In conclusion, November 11th is a day of great significance, marking the end of World War I and commemorating the sacrifices made by veterans. It is a time for communities to come together in remembrance and reflection. As time passes, it is essential to continue teaching the next generations about the importance of this day and the ongoing need to support and care for veterans. November 11th serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of war and the eternal pursuit of peace.

Here are more events from this day:

308 – At Carnuntum, Emperor emeritus Diocletian confers with Galerius, Augustus of the East, and Maximianus, the recently returned former Augustus of the West, in an attempt to end the civil wars of the Tetrarchy.

1028 – Constantine VIII dies, ending his uninterrupted reign as emperor or co-emperor of the Byzantine Empire of 66 years.

1100 – Henry I of England marries Matilda of Scotland, the daughter of Malcolm III of Scotland and a direct descendant of the Saxon king Edmund Ironside; Matilda is crowned on the same day.

1215 – The Fourth Council of the Lateran meets, defining the doctrine of transubstantiation, the process by which bread and wine are, by that doctrine, said to transform into the body and blood of Christ.

1500 – Treaty of Granada: Louis XII of France and Ferdinand II of Aragon agree to divide the Kingdom of Naples between them.

1572 – Tycho Brahe observes the supernova SN 1572.

1620 – The Mayflower Compact is signed in what is now Provincetown Harbor near Cape Cod.

1634 – Following pressure from Anglican bishop John Atherton, the Irish House of Commons passes An Act for the Punishment for the Vice of Buggery.

1673 – Second Battle of Khotyn in Ukraine: Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth forces under the command of Jan Sobieski defeat the Ottoman army. In this battle, rockets made by Kazimierz Siemienowicz are successfully used.

1675 – Gottfried Leibniz demonstrates integral calculus for the first time to find the area under the graph of y = ƒ(x).

1724 – Joseph Blake, alias Blueskin, a highwayman known for attacking "Thief-Taker General" (and thief) Jonathan Wild at the Old Bailey, is hanged in London.

1750 – Riots break out in Lhasa after the murder of the Tibetan regent.

1750 – The F.H.C. Society, also known as the Flat Hat Club, is formed at Raleigh Tavern, Williamsburg, Virginia. It is the first college fraternity.

1778 – Cherry Valley massacre: Loyalists and Seneca Indian forces attack a fort and village in eastern New York during the American Revolutionary War, killing more than forty civilians and soldiers.

1805 – Napoleonic Wars: Battle of Dürenstein: Eight thousand French troops attempt to slow the retreat of a vastly superior Russian and Austrian force.

1813 – War of 1812: Battle of Crysler's Farm: British and Canadian forces defeat a larger American force, causing the Americans to abandon their Saint Lawrence campaign.

1831 – In Jerusalem, Virginia, Nat Turner is hanged after inciting a violent slave uprising.

1839 – The Virginia Military Institute is founded in Lexington, Virginia.

1855 – A powerful earthquake occurs in Edo, Japan, causing considerable damage in the Kantō region from the shaking and subsequent fires. It had a death toll of 7,000–10,000 people and destroyed around 14,000 buildings.

1865 – Treaty of Sinchula is signed whereby Bhutan cedes the areas east of the Teesta River to the British East India Company.

1869 – The Victorian Aboriginal Protection Act is enacted in Australia, giving the government control of indigenous people's wages, their terms of employment, where they could live, and of their children, effectively leading to the Stolen Generations.

1880 – Australian bushranger Ned Kelly is hanged at Melbourne Gaol.

1887 – August Spies, Albert Parsons, Adolph Fischer and George Engel are executed as a result of the Haymarket affair.

1889 – The State of Washington is admitted as the 42nd state of the United States.

1911 – Many cities in the Midwestern United States break their record highs and lows on the same day as a strong cold front rolls through.

1918 – World War I: Germany signs an armistice agreement with the Allies in a railroad car in the forest of Compiègne.

1918 – Józef Piłsudski assumes supreme military power in Poland – symbolic first day of Polish independence.

1918 – Emperor Charles I of Austria relinquishes power.

1919 – The Industrial Workers of the World attack an Armistice Day parade in Centralia, Washington, ultimately resulting in the deaths of five people.

1919 – Latvian forces defeat the West Russian Volunteer Army at Riga in the Latvian War of Independence.

1921 – The Tomb of the Unknowns is dedicated by US President Warren G. Harding at Arlington National Cemetery.

1923 – Adolf Hitler is arrested in Munich for high treason for his role in the Beer Hall Putsch.

1926 – The United States Numbered Highway System is established.

1930 – Patent number US1781541 is awarded to Albert Einstein and Leó Szilárd for their invention, the Einstein refrigerator.

1934 – The Shrine of Remembrance is opened in Melbourne, Australia.

1940 – World War II: In the Battle of Taranto, the Royal Navy launches the first all-aircraft ship-to-ship naval attack in history.

1940 – World War II: The German auxiliary cruiser Atlantis captures top secret British mail from the Automedon, and sends it to Japan.

1942 – World War II: France's zone libre is occupied by German forces in Case Anton.

1960 – A military coup against President Ngô Đình Diệm of South Vietnam is crushed.

1961 – Thirteen Italian Air Force servicemen, deployed to the Congo as a part of the UN peacekeeping force, are massacred by a mob in Kindu.

1962 – Kuwait's National Assembly ratifies the Constitution of Kuwait.

1965 – Southern Rhodesia's Prime Minister Ian Smith unilaterally declares the colony independent as the unrecognised state of Rhodesia.

1965 – United Airlines Flight 227 crashes at Salt Lake City International Airport, killing 43.

1966 – NASA launches Gemini 12.

1967 – Vietnam War: In a propaganda ceremony in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, three American prisoners of war are released by the Viet Cong and turned over to "new left" antiwar activist Tom Hayden.

1968 – Vietnam War: Operation Commando Hunt initiated. The goal is to interdict men and supplies on the Ho Chi Minh trail, through Laos into South Vietnam.

1972 – Vietnam War: Vietnamization: The United States Army turns over the massive Long Binh military base to South Vietnam.

1975 – Australian constitutional crisis of 1975: Australian Governor-General Sir John Kerr dismisses the government of Gough Whitlam, appoints Malcolm Fraser as caretaker Prime Minister and announces a general election to be held in early December.

1975 – Independence of Angola.

1977 – A munitions explosion at a train station in Iri, South Korea kills at least 56 people.

1981 – Antigua and Barbuda joins the United Nations.

1992 – The General Synod of the Church of England votes to allow women to become priests.

1993 – A sculpture honoring women who served in the Vietnam War is dedicated at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C.

1999 – The House of Lords Act is given Royal Assent, restricting membership of the British House of Lords by virtue of a hereditary peerage.

2000 – Kaprun disaster: One hundred fifty-five skiers and snowboarders die when a cable car catches fire in an alpine tunnel in Kaprun, Austria.

2001 – Journalists Pierre Billaud, Johanne Sutton and Volker Handloik are killed in Afghanistan during an attack on the convoy they are traveling in.

2002 – A Fokker F27 Friendship operating as Laoag International Airlines Flight 585 crashes into Manila Bay shortly after takeoff from Ninoy Aquino International Airport, killing 19 people.

2004 – New Zealand Tomb of the Unknown Warrior is dedicated at the National War Memorial, Wellington.

2004 – The Palestine Liberation Organization confirms the death of Yasser Arafat from unidentified causes. Mahmoud Abbas is elected chairman of the PLO minutes later.

2006 – Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II unveils the New Zealand War Memorial in London, United Kingdom, commemorating the loss of soldiers from the New Zealand Army and the British Army.

2011 – A helicopter crash just outside Mexico City kills seven, including Francisco Blake Mora the Secretary of the Interior of Mexico.

2012 – A strong earthquake with the magnitude 6.8 hits northern Burma, killing at least 26 people.

2014 – Fifty-eight people are killed in a bus crash in the Sukkur District in southern Pakistan's Sindh province.

2020 – Typhoon Vamco makes landfall in Luzon and several offshore islands, killing 67 people. The storm causes the worst floods in the region since Typhoon Ketsana in 2009.

2022 – Russo-Ukrainian War: Ukrainian armed forces enter the city of Kherson following a successful two-month southern counteroffensive.

 

TODAY IN HISTORY: NOVEMBER 12

 

November 12

On November 12th, the world wakes up to the crisp, cool air of autumn. Leaves have already started to change their colors, painting the landscape in vibrant hues of red, orange, and gold. November 12th marks an important day for many, whether it be a special occasion or just another day in the journey of life. Let's delve into the significance of this day and explore the events and occurrences that have made it memorable throughout history.

In the realm of sports, November 12th has witnessed remarkable feats that have left fans in awe. In 1921, the famous Yankee Stadium in New York City was completed and opened its doors to baseball enthusiasts for the first time. This iconic stadium would go on to be home to countless unforgettable moments in the sport's history.

Another notable event in the world of sports occurred in 1980 when the United States Men's Ice Hockey team faced off against the Soviet Union in what would later be known as the \Miracle on Ice.\ The underdog American team defeated the heavily favored Soviet team in a stunning upset during the Winter Olympics held in Lake Placid, New York. This victory not only captivated the nation but also united the American people during a time of political tension.

Beyond the realm of sports, November 12th holds a place of significance in the world of technology and innovation. On this day in 1990, computer scientist Tim Berners-Lee published a formal proposal for the World Wide Web. This proposal laid the foundation for the revolutionary technology that has transformed the way we communicate, access information, and conduct business. The World Wide Web has truly become a cornerstone of the modern era, connecting people across the globe and opening up a world of possibilities.

November 12th also holds historical significance as it marks the end of several notable conflicts. In 1918, World War I came to a close as the Armistice of Compiègne was signed, effectively ending the hostilities on the Western Front. This day is commemorated as Veterans Day in the United States, honoring the brave men and women who have served in the armed forces, defending the freedom and security we hold dear.

In more recent history, November 12th witnessed a significant step towards peace and reconciliation. In 1995, leaders from Bosnia, Croatia, and Serbia signed the Dayton Agreement, bringing an end to the Bosnian War that had ravaged the region for more than three years. The agreement paved the way for a peaceful resolution and the rebuilding of a shattered nation, offering hope and a fresh start for those affected by the conflict.

November 12th also serves as a reminder of the power of art and culture to unite people across boundaries. In 1944, the famous ballet company Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo premiered Leonid Massine's \Les Présages\ in New York City. This ballet incorporated elements of classical technique with avant-garde choreography, embodying the spirit of artistic innovation.

On a more personal level, November 12th might hold significance for individuals celebrating milestones in their lives. Birthdays, anniversaries, and other special occasions are often marked on this day, creating memories that last a lifetime. Families and friends come together to honor their loved ones and create new memories that will be cherished for years to come.

As November 12th draws to a close, the day will have left a lasting impact on the world, whether through significant historical events, technological advancements, or personal celebrations. It serves as a reminder of the myriad of experiences and moments that shape our lives, connecting us to the broader tapestry of history and humanity.

Here are more events from this day:

954 – The 13-year-old Lothair III is crowned at the Abbey of Saint-Remi as king of the West Frankish Kingdom.

1028 – Future Byzantine empress Zoe takes the throne as empress consort to Romanos III Argyros.

1330 – Battle of Posada ends: Wallachian Voievode Basarab I defeats the Hungarian army by ambush.

1439 – Plymouth becomes the first town incorporated by the English Parliament.

1835 – Construction is completed on the Wilberforce Monument in Kingston Upon Hull.

1892 – Pudge Heffelfinger becomes the first professional American football player on record, participating in his first paid game for the Allegheny Athletic Association.

1893 – Abdur Rahman Khan accepts the Durand Line as the border between the Emirate of Afghanistan and the British Raj.

1905 – Norway holds a referendum resulting in popular approval of the Storting's decision to authorise the government to make the offer of the throne of the newly independent country.

1912 – First Balkan War: King George I of Greece makes a triumphal entry into Thessaloniki after its liberation from 482 years of Ottoman rule.

1912 – The frozen bodies of Robert Scott and his men are found on the Ross Ice Shelf in Antarctica.

1918 – Dissolution of Austria-Hungary: Austria becomes a republic. After the proclamation, a coup attempt by the communist Red Guard is defeated by the social-democratic Volkswehr.

1920 – Italy and the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes sign the Treaty of Rapallo.

1927 – Leon Trotsky is expelled from the Soviet Communist Party, leaving Joseph Stalin in undisputed control of the Soviet Union.

1928 – SS Vestris sinks approximately 200 miles (320 km) off Hampton Roads, Virginia, killing at least 110 passengers, mostly women and children who die after the vessel is abandoned.

1933 – Nazi Germany uses a referendum to ratify its withdrawal from the League of Nations.

1936 – In California, the San Francisco–Oakland Bay Bridge opens to traffic.

1938 – Nazi Germany issues the Decree on the Elimination of Jews from Economic Life prohibiting Jews from selling goods and services or working in a trade, totally segregating Jews from the German economy.

1940 – World War II: The Battle of Gabon ends as Free French Forces take Libreville, Gabon, and all of French Equatorial Africa from Vichy French forces.

1940 – World War II: Soviet Foreign Minister Vyacheslav Molotov arrives in Berlin to discuss the possibility of the Soviet Union joining the Axis Powers.

1941 – World War II: Temperatures around Moscow drop to −12 °C (10 °F) as the Soviet Union launches ski troops for the first time against the freezing German forces near the city.

1941 – World War II: The Soviet cruiser Chervona Ukraina is destroyed during the Battle of Sevastopol.

1942 – World War II: Naval Battle of Guadalcanal between Japanese and American forces begins near Guadalcanal. The battle lasts for three days and ends with an American victory.

1944 – World War II: The Royal Air Force launches 29 Avro Lancaster bombers, which sink the German battleship Tirpitz, with 12,000 lb Tallboy bombs off Tromsø, Norway.

1948 – Aftermath of World War II: In Tokyo, the International Military Tribunal for the Far East sentences seven Japanese military and government officials, including General Hideki Tojo, to death for their roles in World War II.

1954 – Ellis Island ceases operations.

1956 – Morocco, Sudan and Tunisia join the United Nations.

1956 – In the midst of the Suez Crisis, Palestinian refugees are shot dead in Rafah by Israel Defense Force soldiers following the invasion of the Gaza Strip.

1958 – A team of rock climbers led by Warren Harding completes the first ascent of The Nose on El Capitan in Yosemite Valley.

1961 – Terry Jo Duperrault is the sole survivor of a series of brutal murders aboard the ketch Bluebelle.

1969 – Vietnam War: Independent investigative journalist Seymour Hersh breaks the story of the My Lai Massacre.

1970 – The Oregon Highway Division attempts to destroy a rotting beached sperm whale with explosives, leading to the now infamous "exploding whale" incident.

1970 – The 1970 Bhola cyclone makes landfall on the coast of East Pakistan, becoming the deadliest tropical cyclone in history.

1971 – Vietnam War: As part of Vietnamization, U.S. President Richard Nixon sets February 1, 1972 as the deadline for the removal of another 45,000 American troops from Vietnam.

1975 – The Comoros joins the United Nations.

1977 – France conducts the Oreste nuclear test as 14th in the group of 29, 1975–78 French nuclear tests series.

1979 – Iran hostage crisis: In response to the hostage situation in Tehran, U.S. President Jimmy Carter orders a halt to all petroleum imports into the United States from Iran.

1980 – The NASA space probe Voyager I makes its closest approach to Saturn and takes the first images of its rings.

1981 – Space Shuttle program: Mission STS-2, utilizing the Space Shuttle Columbia, marks the first time a crewed spacecraft is launched into space twice.

1982 – USSR: Yuri Andropov becomes the General Secretary of the Communist Party's Central Committee, succeeding Leonid I. Brezhnev.

1990 – Crown Prince Akihito is formally installed as Emperor Akihito of Japan, becoming the 125th Japanese monarch.

1990 – Tim Berners-Lee publishes a formal proposal for the World Wide Web.

1991 – Santa Cruz massacre: The Indonesian Army open fire on a crowd of student protesters in Dili, East Timor.

1995 – Erdut Agreement regarding the peaceful resolution to the Croatian War of Independence is reached.

1996 – A Saudi Arabian Airlines Boeing 747 and a Kazakh Ilyushin Il-76 cargo plane collide in mid-air near New Delhi, killing 349 in the deadliest mid-air collision to date.

1997 – Ramzi Yousef is found guilty of masterminding the 1993 World Trade Center bombing.

1999 – The 7.2 M_w  Düzce earthquake shakes northwestern Turkey with a maximum Mercalli intensity of IX (Violent). At least 845 people are killed and almost 5,000 are injured.

2001 – In New York City, American Airlines Flight 587, an Airbus A300 en route to the Dominican Republic, crashes minutes after takeoff from John F. Kennedy International Airport, killing all 260 on board and five on the ground.

2001 – War in Afghanistan: Taliban forces abandon Kabul, ahead of advancing Afghan Northern Alliance troops.

2003 – Iraq War: In Nasiriyah, Iraq, at least 23 people, among them the first Italian casualties of the 2003 invasion of Iraq, are killed in a suicide bomb attack on an Italian police base.

2003 – Shanghai Transrapid sets a new world speed record of 501 kilometres per hour (311 mph) for commercial railway systems, which remains the fastest for unmodified commercial rail vehicles.

2011 – Silvio Berlusconi tenders his resignation as Prime Minister of Italy, effective November 16, due in large part to the European sovereign debt crisis.

2011 – A blast in Iran's Shahid Modarres missile base leads to the death of 17 of the Revolutionary Guards members, including Hassan Tehrani Moghaddam, a key figure in Iran's missile program.

2014 – The Philae lander, deployed from the European Space Agency's Rosetta probe, reaches the surface of Comet 67P/Churyumov–Gerasimenko.

2015 – Two suicide bombers detonate explosives in Bourj el-Barajneh, Beirut, killing 43 people and injuring over 200 others.

2017 – The 7.3 M_w  Kermanshah earthquake shakes the northern Iran–Iraq border with a maximum Mercalli intensity of VIII (Severe). At least 410 people are killed and over 7,000 are injured.

2021 – The Los Angeles Superior Court formally ends the 14-year conservatorship to pop singer Britney Spears.