On This Day in History
March 11
NATO Begins Air Surveillance over Poland and Romania Amid Ukraine Tensions
In response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, NATO launched enhanced air policing missions over member states Poland and Romania to monitor and deter potential escalation.
COVID-19 Declared a Global Pandemic by WHO
The World Health Organization officially declared the novel coronavirus outbreak (COVID-19) a global pandemic, prompting worldwide lockdowns, economic disruption, and public health emergencies.
2011 Tōhoku Earthquake and Tsunami Devastate Japan
A magnitude 9.0 earthquake struck off the coast of northeastern Japan, triggering a massive tsunami that caused over 15,000 deaths and the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster. It was one of the most powerful earthquakes ever recorded.
Apple Launches iPad 2
Apple released the iPad 2, an upgraded version of its revolutionary tablet computer. Thinner, lighter, and faster, it accelerated the global adoption of tablet technology.
Madrid Train Bombings Kill 191 in Coordinated Terror Attack
A series of coordinated bombings exploded on commuter trains in Madrid during the morning rush hour, killing 191 people and injuring over 2,000. The attack was attributed to Islamist militants and shocked Europe.
Slobodan Milošević Indicted for War Crimes in Kosovo
Former Yugoslav President Slobodan Milošević was indicted by the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) for crimes against humanity related to the Kosovo conflict.
Janet Reno Confirmed as First Female U.S. Attorney General
Janet Reno was confirmed by the U.S. Senate as the first woman to serve as Attorney General of the United States, breaking a historic gender barrier in American law enforcement leadership.
First Documented Use of GPS in Combat During Gulf War
U.S. forces in the Gulf War used GPS systems extensively in combat for the first time, revolutionizing military navigation and paving the way for the technology’s widespread civilian use.
Lithuania Declares Independence from the Soviet Union
Lithuania became the first Soviet republic to declare independence, setting off a chain of events that would lead to the dissolution of the USSR and the independence of multiple nations.
Antonin Scalia Confirmed as Associate Justice of U.S. Supreme Court
Antonin Scalia was confirmed by the U.S. Senate to serve as an Associate Justice on the Supreme Court. He became a key figure in the conservative legal movement and originalist interpretation of the Constitution.
Mikhail Gorbachev Becomes President of the Soviet Union
Mikhail Gorbachev was elected General Secretary of the Communist Party, becoming the de facto leader of the Soviet Union. His reforms of glasnost and perestroika would eventually lead to the USSR's dissolution.
Laverne & Shirley Premieres on American Television
The sitcom 'Laverne & Shirley,' a spinoff of 'Happy Days,' premiered on ABC. It became one of the most popular shows in the U.S. and helped define 1970s pop culture.
NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament (March Madness) Begins First Modern Format
The first NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament tipped off with just eight teams, laying the groundwork for what would become one of the most watched sporting events in the United States and globally.
Adolf Hitler Reoccupies the Rhineland in Violation of Treaty of Versailles
Nazi Germany remilitarized the Rhineland, directly violating the Treaty of Versailles and the Locarno Pact. The move faced no resistance and marked an aggressive step toward World War II.
British Troops Clash with Mahdist Forces at Battle of Suakin
British and Egyptian forces fought Mahdist rebels near Suakin in Sudan during the Mahdist War. The conflict symbolized imperial tensions and African resistance in the late 19th century.
Alexander II of Russia Assassinated by Revolutionaries
Tsar Alexander II, known for emancipating the serfs and modernizing Russia, was assassinated by members of the revolutionary group 'People's Will' in a bombing attack in Saint Petersburg.
Benito Juárez Becomes President of Mexico
Benito Juárez, a Zapotec lawyer and reformer, became President of Mexico. His leadership marked a turning point in Mexican liberal reform and resistance to French occupation.
Founding of the Bureau of Indian Affairs in the United States
The U.S. government officially established the Bureau of Indian Affairs under the Department of War to manage relations with Native American tribes. It remains a pivotal agency in tribal affairs today.
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Founded
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers was formally established by the Continental Congress to provide military engineering support during the American Revolutionary War and later became a major civil engineering agency.
Roman Emperor Caracalla Issues the Edict of Constitutio Antoniniana
Emperor Caracalla issued the Constitutio Antoniniana, granting Roman citizenship to nearly all free men in the empire. This marked a significant expansion of civic rights and Roman identity.