Europa
- Battle of the Golden Spurs (1302)
On July 11, 1302, the Battle of the Golden Spurs (Guldensporenslag) took place near Kortrijk in present-day Belgium. Flemish forces, mainly composed of militia from the cities of Flanders, defeated the French royal army. This battle is a key moment in both Belgian and European medieval history, symbolizing the strength of urban militias against feudal knights and is still commemorated as a holiday in Flanders. - Treaty of Saint-Clair-sur-Epte (911)
On July 11, 911, the Treaty of Saint-Clair-sur-Epte was signed between Charles the Simple, King of the West Franks, and the Viking leader Rollo. This treaty granted Rollo land that would become Normandy in exchange for his loyalty to the king and conversion to Christianity, marking the foundation of Normandy and a significant moment in French and European history. - Battle of the Boyne (1690)
On July 11, 1690 (Old Style; July 1 in the Julian calendar), the Battle of the Boyne was fought in Ireland. William III of Orange defeated the deposed King James II of England, securing Protestant rule in Britain and Ireland. While the battle occurred in Ireland, its political impact was deeply felt across Europe, especially in Britain and the Netherlands. - World War I: Passchendaele Commemoration
On July 11, 1987, war veterans returned to the fields of Passchendaele in Belgium to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the battle, one of the bloodiest of World War I, where 250,000 British Commonwealth troops died between July and November 1917. - On July 11, 2010, Spain defeated the Netherlands 1-0 in the FIFA World Cup final, a major event for European football, though the match itself was held in South Africa.
- On July 11, 2021, the UEFA Euro 2020 final was played at Wembley Stadium in London between England and Italy, with Italy winning the championship. This was England’s first major football final in 55 years and their first ever European Championship final.
America
- Duel Between Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr (1804)
On July 11, 1804, one of the most famous duels in American history took place in Weehawken, New Jersey. Vice President Aaron Burr fatally shot former Secretary of the Treasury Alexander Hamilton. Hamilton died the next day. This event marked the culmination of a long-standing political and personal rivalry and had a lasting impact on early U.S. politics. - Babe Ruth’s Major League Baseball Debut (1914)
On this day in 1914, George Herman “Babe” Ruth made his debut in Major League Baseball with the Boston Red Sox, beginning a legendary career that would transform the sport. - Birth of John Quincy Adams (1767)
John Quincy Adams, who would become the sixth President of the United States, was born on July 11, 1767, in Braintree, Massachusetts. - William Howard Taft Becomes Chief Justice (1921)
Former U.S. President William Howard Taft was sworn in as the 10th Chief Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court on July 11, 1921, making him the only person to have served as both President and Chief Justice. - Publication of “To Kill a Mockingbird” (1960)
Harper Lee’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel To Kill a Mockingbird was first published on July 11, 1960. The book became an American classic, noted for its exploration of racial injustice. - 1864: During the American Civil War, the Battle of Fort Stevens occurred as Confederate forces attempted to invade Washington, D.C..
- 1936: The Triborough Bridge (now the Robert F. Kennedy Bridge) in New York City opened to traffic.
- 1955: The phrase “In God We Trust” was added to all U.S. currency.
- 1977: Martin Luther King Jr. was posthumously awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
- 1979: America’s first space station, Skylab, was destroyed as it re-entered Earth’s atmosphere.
Asia
- Mumbai Train Bombings (2006)
On July 11, 2006, a series of coordinated bomb attacks struck the suburban railway network in Mumbai, India. Seven bombs exploded within 11 minutes during the evening rush hour, killing more than 160 people and injuring over 460. This remains one of the deadliest terror attacks in India’s history and had a profound impact on national security measures and public consciousness. - Pakistan Joins the IMF and World Bank (1950)
On this day in 1950, Pakistan officially became a member of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (World Bank), marking a significant step in its integration into the global financial system. - Aga Khan IV Becomes Imam (1957)
Prince Karim Husseini Aga Khan IV inherited the office of Imamat as the 49th Imam of the Shia Imami Ismaili Muslims on July 11, 1957, following the death of his grandfather, Sir Sultan Mahommed Shah Aga Khan III. His leadership has had a major influence on Ismaili communities worldwide, including in Asia. - Nigeria Airways Crash in Jeddah (1991)
On July 11, 1991, Nigeria Airways Flight 2120 crashed in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, killing all 261 passengers and crew. The flight was carrying Muslim pilgrims, highlighting the significance of the Hajj pilgrimage in the region. - World Population Day
July 11 is observed as World Population Day, an international event established by the United Nations to raise awareness about global population issues. The day is marked by numerous activities and discussions across Asian countries, focusing on population growth, health, and development. - On July 11, 2021, Bangladesh reported a record number of new COVID-19 cases and deaths, underscoring the ongoing impact of the pandemic in Asia.
- On the same day, a tragic accident in Turkey saw a minibus carrying illegal immigrants from Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Bangladesh crash and catch fire, resulting in multiple fatalities and injuries.
Africa
- Kampala Bombings (2010)
On July 11, 2010, the Islamist militant group Al-Shabaab carried out coordinated suicide bombings in Kampala, Uganda. The attacks targeted crowds watching the FIFA World Cup final, killing 74 people and injuring 85 others. This was one of the deadliest terror attacks in Uganda’s history and highlighted the regional threat posed by Al-Shabaab. - South African Police Raid on ANC Headquarters (1963)
On July 11, 1963, South African police raided the secret headquarters of the African National Congress (ANC) at Liliesleaf Farm, north of Johannesburg. This led to the arrest of key anti-apartheid leaders, including Walter Sisulu, and was a pivotal moment in the struggle against apartheid. - Nigeria: Journalists Kidnapped (2010)
On July 11, 2010, four journalists were kidnapped by gunmen in southern Nigeria. The kidnappers demanded a ransom of $1.67 million, drawing attention to ongoing security challenges in the region. - Notable Birth: Mattiwilda Dobbs (1925)
Mattiwilda Dobbs, a pioneering African American opera singer, was born on July 11, 1925. While born in the United States, her international acclaim included performances in Africa and at major European opera houses. - On July 11, 1979, America’s first space station, Skylab, re-entered Earth’s atmosphere and debris fell over the Indian Ocean and parts of Western Australia, an event observed across the southern hemisphere, including Africa.
This day in history: 11 july