Europa
Constantinople Becomes Capital of the Eastern Roman Empire (330 AD)
- On May 11, 330, Emperor Constantine the Great dedicated the city of Byzantium as “New Rome,” later known as Constantinople, making it the new capital of the Eastern Roman Empire. This pivotal event shifted the center of power from Rome and laid the groundwork for the Byzantine Empire, which would shape European politics, culture, and religion for centuries.
Execution of Knights Templar in France (1310)
- On May 11, 1310, fifty-four Knights Templar were burned at the stake in Paris. This marked a turning point in the suppression of the Templars, one of the most influential military and religious orders in medieval Europe.
Coronation of Edgar the Peaceful (973)
- Edgar the Peaceful was crowned at Bath as King of all England on May 11, 973. His reign is noted for consolidating the kingdom and fostering relative peace and stability in England.
The Hague Congress and European Integration (1948)
- From May 7–11, 1948, the Hague Congress gathered over a thousand delegates from around 20 European countries to discuss the future of European unity. This congress is considered a milestone in the process of European integration, eventually leading to the formation of the European Union.
End of World War II Hostilities in Europe (1945)
- While Victory in Europe Day is celebrated on May 8, the last known shots of World War II on the Eastern Front were fired on May 11, 1945, marking the final military actions in Europe.
IBM’s Deep Blue Defeats Garry Kasparov (1997)
- While not strictly a European event, on May 11, 1997, IBM’s Deep Blue supercomputer defeated Russian chess grandmaster Garry Kasparov, marking a milestone in artificial intelligence and its impact on a quintessentially European game.
America
1751 – Founding of Pennsylvania Hospital
- Pennsylvania Hospital, the first hospital in the United States, was established in Philadelphia by Dr. Thomas Bond and Benjamin Franklin. It became a cornerstone for American medical care and education.
1792 – Columbia River Exploration
- Captain Robert Gray became the first documented white person to sail into the Columbia River, an important milestone in American exploration and expansion in the Pacific Northwest.
1858 – Minnesota Statehood
- Minnesota was admitted as the 32nd state of the United States, marking a key moment in the nation’s westward expansion.
1880 – Mussel Slough Tragedy
- A violent gun battle known as the Mussel Slough Tragedy occurred in California, resulting in seven deaths. The conflict was rooted in disputes between settlers and the Southern Pacific Railroad over land rights.
1889 – Wham Paymaster Robbery
- A U.S. Army paymaster and his escort were attacked in Arizona by armed robbers, in a notorious heist where the payroll was stolen after a fierce gunfight.
1894 – Start of the Pullman Strike
- Workers at the Pullman Company began a strike with support from labor leader Eugene Debs and the American Railway Union, eventually leading to a nationwide railroad boycott and violent clashes.
1907 – Lompoc Train Derailment
- A tragic train derailment near Surf Depot, California, killed 32 Shriners, marking one of the deadliest rail accidents in early 20th-century America.
1943 – U.S. Invasion of Attu (World War II)
- U.S. troops began the invasion of Attu Island in the Aleutian chain, marking the only land battle fought on American soil during World War II.
1945 – Surrender of German U-Boat
- Four days after Germany’s surrender in World War II, the German submarine U-873 surrendered to U.S. forces off the Azores, symbolizing the end of hostilities in the Atlantic.
Asia
India’s Nuclear Tests (1998)
- On May 11, 1998, India conducted a series of underground nuclear tests in Pokhran, Rajasthan, known as Pokhran-II or Operation Shakti. These tests included a thermonuclear device and marked India’s emergence as a nuclear power, leading to international reactions and sanctions, and are commemorated as National Technology Day in India.
Printing of the Diamond Sutra in China (868)
- The earliest surviving dated printed book, the “Diamond Sutra,” was produced in China on May 11, 868. This is a landmark in the history of printing and literature, especially within Mahayana Buddhism.
Recent Events in Myanmar (2022)
- On May 11, 2022, the Burmese military executed at least 37 villagers during the Mon Taing Pin massacre in Sagaing, Myanmar, highlighting ongoing conflict and human rights issues in the region.
Africa
Birth of Haile Selassie (1892)
- Haile Selassie, Emperor of Ethiopia and a prominent figure in African and world history, was born on May 11, 1892. He played a crucial role in modernizing Ethiopia and became a symbol of African independence and unity.
Battle of Abba Island (1941)
- On May 11, 1941, the Battle of Abba Island took place during World War II. This conflict was part of the East African Campaign, where Allied forces fought against Italian troops in Ethiopia, contributing to the liberation of the country from Italian occupation.
First European Sighting of Mount Kilimanjaro (1848)
- German missionary Johannes Rebmann, accompanied by Johann Ludwig Krapf, became the first Europeans to report seeing Mount Kilimanjaro on May 11, 1848. This event marked a milestone in the exploration of East Africa.
Scientific Discovery in Tanzania (2006)
- On May 11, 2006, scientists announced that the Kipunji monkey, discovered in 2003, belonged to a new genus of African monkey-the first new genus found since 1923. This highlighted Africa’s ongoing contributions to global biodiversity knowledge.
This day in history: 11 may