This day in history: 11 january

Europa

• 532 – Nika riots in Constantinople: A dispute between rival chariot teams, the Blues and the Greens, escalated into violent riots in the Byzantine capital, resulting in significant destruction and loss of life.
• 1158 – Vladislaus II becomes King of Bohemia: Vladislaus II, previously Duke, was crowned King, marking an important moment in Czech history.
• 1569 – First recorded state lottery in England: The first state lottery was held in England, with tickets sold at St Paul’s Cathedral in London, introducing a new form of public fundraising.
• 1571 – Austrian nobility granted freedom of religion: This event marked a significant step toward religious tolerance within the Habsburg Monarchy.
• 1713 – Treaty of Utrecht negotiations: While the main treaties were signed later, January 11, 1713, is noted as a key date in the diplomatic process that ended the War of the Spanish Succession, reshaping European borders and balance of power.
• 1923 – Occupation of the Ruhr: French and Belgian troops occupied the Ruhr region of Germany to enforce World War I reparations, leading to a major crisis in interwar Europe.
• 1941 – Capture of Klisura Pass by Greek forces: During World War II, Greek troops completed the capture of the Klisura Pass, a strategic victory in the Greco-Italian War.

America

• 1755 – Birth of Alexander Hamilton: One of the United States’ Founding Fathers and the first Secretary of the Treasury, Hamilton was born on this day. His influence shaped the nation’s financial system and federal government structure.
• 1805 – Michigan Territory created: The U.S. Congress established Michigan as a territory, a key step in the westward expansion of the United States.
• 1861 – Alabama secedes from the Union: Alabama became the fourth state to declare its secession from the United States, a pivotal event leading up to the American Civil War.
• 1908 – Grand Canyon National Monument established: President Theodore Roosevelt proclaimed the Grand Canyon a national monument, paving the way for its later designation as a national park.
• 1912 – Lawrence textile strike begins: Immigrant textile workers in Lawrence, Massachusetts, went on strike after a reduction in wages, marking a major moment in American labor history.
• 1922 – First use of insulin to treat diabetes: Canadian scientists administered insulin to a 14-year-old patient, Leonard Thompson, in Toronto, revolutionizing diabetes treatment and saving countless lives.
• 1935 – Amelia Earhart’s solo flight: Amelia Earhart became the first person to fly solo from Hawaii to California, a major milestone in aviation history.
• 1964 – Surgeon General’s report on smoking: U.S. Surgeon General Luther Terry released a landmark report linking cigarette smoking to serious health risks, sparking national anti-smoking campaigns.
• 2002 – First detainees arrive at Guantanamo Bay: The U.S. military began holding prisoners from Afghanistan at the Guantanamo Bay detention facility in Cuba, a move that would draw international scrutiny.

Asia

• 1966 – Death of Lal Bahadur Shastri: India’s second Prime Minister, known for his leadership during the 1965 Indo-Pakistani War and the slogan “Jai Jawan Jai Kisan,” died in Tashkent under mysterious circumstances shortly after signing the Tashkent Agreement.
• 1779 – Ching-Thang Khomba crowned King of Manipur: A notable event in the history of northeast India.
• 1954 – Birth of Kailash Satyarthi: Renowned Indian social reformer and Nobel Peace Prize laureate, known for his work against child labor, was born.
• 1613 – Mughal Emperor Jahangir grants the British East India Company permission to establish a factory in Surat, marking a pivotal moment in colonial history.
• 947 – Invasion and destruction of Later Jin: Emperor Tai Zong of the Khitan-led Liao Dynasty invaded and destroyed the Later Jin dynasty in northern China.
• 1868 – Birth of Cai Yuanpei: Influential Chinese educator and reformer, later president of Peking University.
• 1942 – Japanese capture of Kuala Lumpur: During World War II, Japanese forces took control of Kuala Lumpur, a key event in the Malayan Campaign.
• 1943 – Sino-British Treaty: The United States and United Kingdom relinquished extraterritorial rights in China, marking a significant step toward Chinese sovereignty.
• 630 – Conquest of Mecca: Prophet Muhammad and his followers entered and took control of Mecca, a turning point in Islamic history.
• 1972 – East Pakistan officially renamed Bangladesh: Marking the formal emergence of Bangladesh as an independent nation.

Africa

• 1944 – Proclamation of Independence of Morocco: On this day, the Proclamation of Independence of Morocco was signed, marking a key moment in the country’s struggle for sovereignty from French colonial rule. This date is now commemorated as a national holiday in Morocco.
• 1957 – Founding of the African Convention: The African Convention, a political party aimed at uniting French West African territories, was established in Dakar, Senegal. This was part of the broader movement toward African decolonization and political self-determination.
• 1904 – Samuel Maharero’s Call to Arms: Samuel Maharero, a prominent Herero leader in present-day Namibia, ordered all Ovaherero chiefs to take up arms against German colonial forces, initiating resistance against German colonial oppression. He also instructed them to avoid harming missionaries and certain other groups.
• 1879 – Beginning of the Anglo-Zulu War: The conflict between the British Empire and the Zulu Kingdom began on January 11, marking a major confrontation in southern African colonial history.
• Other notable historical context: The early 20th century saw key events like the establishment of the Union of South Africa (1910), the Belgian Congo’s formalization (1908), and various independence movements across the continent in the mid-20th century, including Ghana (1957), Tunisia and Morocco (1956), and Sudan (1956).