This article highlights pivotal historical events that occurred on March 11, spanning from 1824 to 2022. Key events include the establishment of the Bureau of Indian Affairs, significant wartime actions, declarations of independence, and notable political changes, including the removal of presidential term limits in China. The day is also marked by tragedies such as the Spanish flu outbreak and the 2011 Japan earthquake and tsunami.
On March 11, several historical events unfolded that have shaped history over the years. In 1824, the U.S. War Department established the Bureau of Indian Affairs to address relations with Native American tribes. The death of John Chapman, known as Johnny Appleseed, occurred in 1845 in Allen County, Indiana, marking a notable moment in American folklore. In 1861, delegates from seven Southern states formed the Permanent Constitution of the Confederate States of America in Montgomery, Alabama, amid rising tensions leading to the Civil War.
The emergence of the Spanish influenza was documented in the United States in 1918; this devastating virus eventually claimed the lives of approximately 22 million globally, with 500,000 fatalities within the United States alone by 1920. In 1930, former President William Howard Taft became the first person to be interred at Arlington National Cemetery after serving as a U.S. president and chief justice of the Supreme Court.
March 11 is also significant for military history; in 1942, General Douglas MacArthur abandoned the Philippines after being ordered by President Franklin D. Roosevelt, leaving behind tens of thousands of troops. Fast forward to 1985, Mikhail Gorbachev succeeded Konstantin Chernenko as the leader of the Communist Party, paving the way for reforms in the Soviet Union.
In 1990, Lithuania declared its independence from the Soviet Union, marking a pivotal moment in the dissolution of Soviet power. Janet Reno became the first female U.S. Attorney General in 1993, receiving unanimous Senate approval. Unfortunately, 2004 witnessed a tragic terrorist attack in Madrid that resulted in 191 deaths and thousands of injuries due to coordinated bombings on commuter trains.
The year 2006 was marked by the deaths of both Slobodan Milosevic while on trial for war crimes and Michelle Bachelet as she was inaugurated as Chile’s first female president after enduring torture under dictatorship. The catastrophic earthquake and subsequent tsunami struck Japan in 2011, resulting in approximately 15,900 deaths and significant damage, including reactor meltdowns.
In 2018, China’s legislature revised the Constitution to eliminate presidential term limits, allowing President Xi Jinping to potentially remain in power indefinitely. The World Health Organization designated COVID-19 as a global pandemic on March 11, 2020, with stark figures of cases and deaths soaring throughout the world. Additionally, in 2022, the mayor of Melitopol was abducted by Russian forces, though he was released shortly thereafter.
March 11 has been a day filled with significant historical events, from the establishment of vital government departments to catastrophic natural disasters and political changes. The actions taken by various leaders and nations over the centuries have contributed to the ongoing evolution of global politics, public health, and societal norms. The decisions made on this date continue to resonate in contemporary discussions about governance, rights, and international relations.
Original Source: www.upi.com
