On This Day - December 11th
It's December 11th, and the holiday season is well underway! And, due to the holidays and all the cheer and chaos they bring, we tend to forget about the days leading up to them. So, we encourage you to take some time today to focus on what makes this day so very special. Here are some of the most interesting things to know about December 11th.
On this day
Honoratus took office.
In 359 AD, Honoratus, the first known Prefect of the City of Constantinople, took office. He did so after the Emperor Constantius created a new senate for the East. And, as we all know when it comes to Turkish history, the Ottoman Empire followed many years later!
King Louis XVI went on trial.
In 1792, France's King Louis XVI went on trial, scandalously accused of high treason and crimes against the state. He would eventually be killed for his crimes, as would his family. We live in more enlightened times nowadays, at least!
The Mona Lisa was returned.
In 1913, the "Mona Lisa” was recovered. It had spent two years away from the gallery, having been stolen from the Louvre Museum. Thankfully, it’s under much safer guard these days!
UNICEF was established.
Back in 1946, the United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund was first established. It was created by resolution 57(I) of the UN General Assembly. UNICEF remains one of the most important forces in ensuring children receive due care and nutrition, and safety from conflict, the world over.
The UN came to a pretty big agreement.
Today back in 1997, 150 delegates from separate industrial nations came together to agree how to start trapping greenhouse gases. It was a major UN climate conference that helped to shape our understanding and treatment of global warming.
Special Days Falling on December 11th
December 11th may not seem like the most special day of December for you, but for many people, it is exactly that. Here are some of the most important events taking place today.
Anniversary of the Statute of Westminster
This anniversary is observed on December 11th every year. The occasion marks Canada's last crucial step in gaining independence from the British Empire. This statute didn't just protect Canada, however – as it also ensured Commonwealth dominions elsewhere gained major freedoms from the British. The statute was officially raised back in 1931.
Burkina Faso Republic Day
Every December 11th is Burkina Faso Republic Day. Burkina Faso was formerly known as Upper Volta, until it finally gained emancipation from centuries of tyrannical rule in 1958. The entire country celebrates with marches and parades. The capital city of Ouagadougou is also rife with military trucks today, and the president addresses the Burkinabe people from the parliament’s stage.
International Mountain Day
For people all over the world, December 11th is International Mountain Day. Mountains play a huge role in ecosystems, sports, and spiritual practices, and have done for millennia! So, it’s only right that we protect and treasure these beautiful parts of the planet. Why not try and climb one if you’re fit, healthy, and trained up to go?
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This page was last modified on December 6, 2023. Suggest an edit
This month in history
In 1947, Victor Emmanuel III, the last King of Italy, died while in exile in Alexandria, Egypt. He became king initially following the assassination of his father in 1900. In 1946, he abdicated and thus went into exile.
Famous Birthdays on December 11th
If you were born on December 11th
…you’re a Sagittarius! You’re an incredibly captivating person. You can charm any room with your infectious laughter, great stories, and killer confidence.
But, are you confident enough to head over to our Sagittarius facts page to learn more about yourself?
