Nov 20,1942 - Present
THE 46TH PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES
2011 A bomb exploded as Coptic Christians left a New Year service in Egypt, resulting in the loss of 23 lives.
2011 Estonia adopted the Euro currency, becoming the 17th Eurozone country and solidifying its European integration.
2011 Congresswoman Gabby Giffords survives a mass shooting in Tucson, Arizona, which claims six lives, including a federal judge.
2011 Iran Air Flight 277's tragic crash in 2011 near Urmia, Iran, claimed 77 lives in icy conditions, highlighting the challenges of aviation in adverse weather and the importance of air travel safety.
2011 The Arab Spring began on January 14, 2011, when President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali of Tunisia sought refuge in Saudi Arabia following widespread demonstrations against his regime.
2011 The Movement for a Democratic Society (TEV-DEM) emerged in the tumultuous landscape of the Syrian civil war, advocating for democratic confederalism and a new vision for Syria's future.
2011 Anti-government demonstrations in Tirana, Albania, turned tragic as gunshots, allegedly fired by armed police, resulted in the loss of four lives.
2011 Moscow's Domodedovo Airport becomes the site of a tragic bombing, claiming at least 35 lives and injuring 180, leaving a lasting impact on Russian security measures.
2011 Egypt's Revolution Begins: The first wave of Egypt's revolution unfolds, characterized by widespread demonstrations, civil disobedience, and clashes, marking a pivotal moment in the country's history.
2011 The Egyptian revolution culminates with the resignation of Hosni Mubarak and the subsequent transfer of power to the Supreme Military Council, marking a pivotal moment in the Arab Spring movement.
2011 After more than a century, the Umatilla tribe, an American Indian community, rekindled a centuries-old tradition by hunting and harvesting a bison just outside Yellowstone National Park, in accordance with a treaty signed in 1855.
2011 The Bahraini uprising begins as part of the Arab Spring, marked by a 'Day of Rage' in Bahrain, setting off a series of protests and political unrest in the region.
2011 The Arab Spring sparks a wave of protests against Muammar Gaddafi's regime in Libya, setting in motion a series of events that will reshape the country's future.
2011 Bahrain witnesses a fateful day known locally as Bloody Thursday, as security forces launch a deadly pre-dawn raid on protesters gathered at Pearl Roundabout in Manama, leaving an indelible mark on the nation's history.
2011 Singapore hosts the momentous debut exhibition of the Belitung shipwreck, featuring an unparalleled collection of Tang dynasty artifacts, providing a remarkable glimpse into ancient history.
2011 Tragedy struck Christchurch, New Zealand, as the city grappled with the second deadliest earthquake in its history, leaving 185 lives lost and extensive destruction in its wake.
2011 The Bahraini uprising surged with renewed vigor as tens of thousands took to the streets to protest the deaths of seven victims at the hands of police and army forces during earlier demonstrations.
2011 Space Shuttle Discovery bid its farewell as it made its final landing after completing 39 flights, marking the end of an era in space exploration.
2011 On March 11, 2011, a catastrophic earthquake measuring 9.0 in magnitude struck east of Sendai, Japan. This event triggered a devastating tsunami, resulting in the loss of thousands of lives and the second-largest nuclear accident in history, classified as a Level 7 on the International Nuclear Event Scale.
2011 Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant becomes a focal point of disaster as a reactor explodes, releasing radioactivity into the atmosphere, following the devastating 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami.
2011 The beginning of the Syrian Civil War marked a turbulent period in the Middle East, with far-reaching consequences for regional stability and global politics.
2011 In response to the failure of Muammar Gaddafi's forces to capture Benghazi, the French Air Force initiated Opération Harmattan, marking the beginning of foreign military intervention in the Libyan Civil War.
2011 The appointment of Min Aung Hlaing as the Commander-in-Chief of Myanmar's armed forces had significant implications for the nation's political landscape.
2011 A protest against the burning of the Quran escalates into violence, leading to a mob attack on a United Nations compound in Mazar-i-Sharif, Afghanistan, resulting in the tragic loss of thirteen lives, including eight foreign workers.
2011 The horrors of Mexico's drug war are exposed as over 193 victims of Los Zetas are exhumed from several mass graves in San Fernando, Tamaulipas, shedding light on the brutality of drug cartels.
2011 The Israel Defense Forces deploy the Iron Dome missile system to successfully intercept a BM-21 Grad rocket launched from Gaza, showcasing cutting-edge defense technology.
2011 The Minsk Metro in Belarus is rocked by an explosion, resulting in the loss of 15 lives and injuries to 204 others, casting a shadow over the nation and its public transportation system.
2011 The political landscape of Cuba undergoes a seismic shift as Fidel Castro resigns from his long-held position as First Secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba, a role he had held since July 1961, leaving a profound impact on Cuban politics.
2011 The digital age collides with diplomacy as WikiLeaks embarks on publishing the Guantanamo Bay files leak, reshaping the discourse on government transparency, security, and the power of information in the 21st century.
2011 A devastating natural catastrophe, the 2011 Super Outbreak, wreaks havoc across the Southeastern United States, leaving a trail of destruction and claiming the lives of more than 300 people while injuring countless others.
2011 A fairytale wedding unfolded at Westminster Abbey as Prince William and Catherine Middleton exchanged vows, captivating the world's attention in a grand celebration of love and royalty.
2011 Pope John Paul II is beatified by Pope Benedict XVI, a significant event in the Catholic Church that recognizes the late pontiff's contributions and holiness.
2011 History was made as United States special forces eliminated Osama bin Laden, the suspected mastermind behind the September 11 attacks, in Abbottabad, Pakistan.
2011 Europe faced a health crisis as an E. coli outbreak, primarily in Germany, left over 30 people dead and many others seriously ill, underscoring the importance of food safety.
2011 Lorca, Spain, experienced a significant seismic event on May 11, 2011, when an earthquake with a magnitude of 5.1 struck, leaving its mark on the town's history.
2011 Two devastating bomb explosions rocked the Charsadda District of Pakistan, claiming the lives of 98 people and leaving 140 others injured, in a heart-wrenching incident that shook the region.
2011 The Space Shuttle Endeavour embarks on its final mission, STS-134, as it assembles the International Space Station, marking the end of an era in American space exploration.
2011 Mamata Banerjee's swearing-in as the Chief Minister of West Bengal marked a historic moment as she became the first woman to hold this position, reflecting changing dynamics in Indian politics.
2011 Radio broadcaster Harold Camping's failed prediction of the world's end on this date became a cautionary tale about apocalyptic prophecies.
2011 Joplin, Missouri, faced a devastating EF5 tornado that unleashed widespread destruction, claiming 158 lives and causing $2.8 billion in damages, becoming one of the costliest and deadliest single tornadoes in U.S. history.
2011 Television history bids farewell to an icon as Oprah Winfrey airs her final show, marking the conclusion of her remarkable 25-year journey on "The Oprah Winfrey Show," a chapter in television that touched hearts and minds around the world.
2011 On May 28, 2011, Malta held a historic vote on the introduction of divorce, with 53% of voters approving the proposal. This paved the way for a change in Maltese law, allowing divorce under certain conditions.
2011 The final mission of the U.S. Space Shuttle program was launched in 2011 with Space Shuttle Atlantis, marking the end of an era in American space exploration and signaling the dawn of a new chapter in the cosmos.
2011 South Sudan's long-awaited independence is realized as it formally secedes from Sudan, marking a significant moment in the history of both nations.
2011 In Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, a rally gathers to demand fairer elections in the country, reflecting the aspirations of its citizens for a more equitable political process.
2011 Tragedy struck the Volga River near Syukeyevo, Tatarstan, as the Russian cruise ship Bulgaria sank, resulting in the heartbreaking loss of 122 lives.
2011 A tragic explosion rocks Zygi, Cyprus, as ninety-eight containers of explosives self-detonate, claiming the lives of 13 people and leaving a scar on the landscape of the Mediterranean island.
2011 On this day in 2011, Mumbai was rocked by three bomb blasts during the evening rush hour, resulting in the tragic loss of 26 lives and injuries to 130 people.
2011 United Nations Security Council Resolution 1999, adopted on this day in 2011, granted South Sudan member status, affirming its place on the international stage.
2011 The attempted assassination and coup d'état against Guinean President Alpha Condé at his residence in Conakry in 2011 AD marked a critical moment in the nation's political history.
2011 An era in space exploration comes to an end as NASA's Space Shuttle program concludes with the landing of Space Shuttle Atlantis on mission STS-135 at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, marking the closing chapter of a historic space program.
2011 Norway experiences a day of terror with a bomb blast targeting government buildings in central Oslo, followed by a massacre at a youth camp on the island of Utøya during the Norway attacks.
2011 A high-speed train collision on the Yongtaiwen railway line in Wenzhou, Zhejiang province, China, results in a tragic loss of 40 lives, prompting scrutiny of rail safety measures.
2011 A tragic aviation incident occurs as a Royal Moroccan Air Force Lockheed C-130 Hercules crashes near Guelmim Airport in Guelmim, Morocco, claiming the lives of all 80 people on board, highlighting the risks associated with air travel.
2011 While en route from Seoul, South Korea, to Shanghai, China, Asiana Airlines Flight 991 encountered an in-flight fire in the cargo hold. The Boeing 747-400F freighter attempted to divert to Jeju International Airport but tragically crashed into the sea South-West of Jeju island, leading to the loss of both crew members on board.
2011 Queen Elizabeth II's eldest granddaughter, Zara Phillips, ties the knot with former rugby union footballer Mike Tindall, marking a royal celebration.
2011 In a tragic event during the War in Afghanistan, a United States military helicopter was shot down, resulting in the loss of 30 American special forces members, Afghan soldiers, and an Afghan civilian.
2011 A magnitude 5.8 earthquake, categorized as moderate, struck Virginia on August 23, 2011, causing damage to monuments and structures in Washington, D.C. The estimated cost of the resulting damage reached 200 million dollars, highlighting the region's vulnerability to seismic activity.
2011 The Libyan Civil War took a significant turn on August 23, 2011, when Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi was overthrown as National Transitional Council forces took control of the Bab al-Azizia compound, marking a turning point in the conflict and Libya's political landscape.
2011 The tragic arson attack, orchestrated by members of the drug cartel Los Zetas, results in the loss of 52 lives, highlighting the grim consequences of organized crime in Mexico.
2011 Boeing's groundbreaking composite airliner, the Boeing 787 Dreamliner, attains certification from the EASA and the FAA, heralding a new era in aviation technology.
2011 Hurricane Irene strikes the United States East Coast, leaving 47 people dead and causing an estimated $15.6 billion in damage, underscoring the destructive power of nature and the importance of disaster preparedness.
2011 The Lokomotiv Yaroslavl plane crash in 2011 resulted in the tragic loss of 43 lives, including most of the Lokomotiv Yaroslavl Kontinental Hockey League team, in Russia.
2011 A dedication ceremony takes place at the United States National September 11 Memorial on the 10th anniversary of the September 11 attacks in New York City, marking a solemn moment of remembrance and reflection.
2011 A solemn moment of remembrance and reflection takes place as the National September 11 Memorial & Museum opens its doors to the public, honoring the memory of those lost in the tragic events of 9/11.
2011 A somber day unfolded as four miners tragically lost their lives in the Gleision Colliery mining accident in the Swansea Valley, Wales, UK, underscoring the risks faced by those working in the mining industry.
2011 The Occupy Wall Street movement began in Zuccotti Park, New York City, on September 17, 2011, as a protest against economic inequality and corporate influence. This movement sparked similar protests worldwide.
2011 The 2011 Sikkim earthquake ripples across northeastern India, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, and southern Tibet, underscoring the region's seismic vulnerability.
2011 Mariano Rivera of the New York Yankees becomes the MLB's all-time career saves leader with 602 saves.
2011 The U.S. military ends its "don't ask, don't tell" policy, allowing LGBTQ+ individuals to serve openly, a milestone for LGBTQ+ rights in the military.
2011 In 2011, a special court in India convicted all 269 accused officials for atrocities against Dalits and 17 for rape in the Vachathi case, highlighting the pursuit of justice and human rights in the country.
2011 The Mekong River massacre witnessed the hijacking of two Chinese cargo boats and the brutal murder of 13 crew members, sending shockwaves across the region.
2011 A defining moment in the Libyan Crisis unfolds as rebel forces capture Libyan dictator Muammar Gaddafi and his son Mutassim in their hometown of Sirte, ultimately leading to Gaddafi's demise and marking the end of the first Libyan civil war.
2011 A pivotal moment in the Iraq War occurs as President Barack Obama announces the impending withdrawal of all United States troops from Iraq, marking a significant shift in the conflict's trajectory.
2011 A devastating 7.2 magnitude earthquake shook Van Province in Turkey, resulting in the tragic loss of 582 lives and leaving thousands injured and homeless.
2011 The Libyan National Transitional Council declared the end of the Libyan Civil War, marking a turning point in the nation's history.
2011 A milestone is reached as the global population of humans reaches seven billion, leading the United Nations to recognize this day as the "Day of Seven Billion."
2011 The European Central Bank welcomed a new leader as Mario Draghi succeeded Jean-Claude Trichet, becoming the third president of this influential financial institution during a crucial period in European economics.
2011 The potentially hazardous asteroid 2005 YU55 made an exceptionally close pass to Earth, approaching within 0.85 lunar distances. This marked one of the closest approaches by a bright asteroid since 2010 XC15 in 1976.
2011 A tragic helicopter crash just outside Mexico City, resulting in the deaths of seven individuals, including Francisco Blake Mora, Mexico's Secretary of the Interior.
2011 Silvio Berlusconi's resignation as Prime Minister of Italy, effective November 16, stems from the European sovereign debt crisis, marking a significant political shift in Italy.
2011 A tragic blast at Iran's Shahid Modarres missile base claims the lives of 17 Revolutionary Guards members, including Hassan Tehrani Moghaddam, a prominent figure in Iran's missile program.
2011 Yemen witnesses a historic moment as President Ali Abdullah Saleh signs a power-transfer deal, yielding control to the vice president. This agreement reflects the aspirations of a nation striving for political stability.
2011 NATO forces' tragic friendly fire incident in Pakistan leads to the loss of 24 soldiers and the wounding of 13 others, highlighting the complexities of international conflict.
2011 The Mars Science Laboratory's launch to Mars, carrying the Curiosity Rover, symbolizes humanity's unending curiosity and pursuit of knowledge beyond Earth.
2011 NASA achieved a monumental feat as it successfully placed the first of two Gravity Recovery and Interior Laboratory satellites in orbit around the Moon, embarking on a mission to unlock the secrets of our celestial neighbor and further our understanding of the cosmos.
2011 The Yemeni Revolution ignites with over 16,000 protestors demonstrating in Sana'a, marking the beginning of a pivotal period in Yemen's history.
2011 Within the constellation Ursa Minor, the white dwarf H1504+65, boasting the universe's hottest surface temperature at 200,000 K, is documented.
2011 A rare and devastating tornado outbreak sweeps through New England, with a powerful EF3 tornado striking Springfield, Massachusetts, and claiming the lives of four individuals. The event serves as a stark reminder of the destructive force of nature.
2011 Space Shuttle Endeavour embarks on its final mission and makes its last landing after completing 25 flights, marking the end of an era in NASA's Space Shuttle program.
