Fact 1: Historical Importance of December 11
December 11 is historically significant not just for one or two events, but many. On this day, back in 1816, Indiana became the 19th state of the United States. Years later, in 1941, Germany and Italy declared war on the United States, tying us directly into World War II.
Fact 2: Birth of Nobel Prize Winner
December 11 is also celebrated as the birthday of Nobel laureate and German physicist Max Born in 1882. Born made significant contributions to quantum mechanics for which he was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1954.
Fact 3: Goodbye to Diplomatic Relations
On December 11, 1941, the United States severed diplomatic relations with Romania, Hungary, and Bulgaria during the height of World War II. This was a direct response to these countries siding with Axis powers during the war.
Fact 4: A Date for Musicians
December 11 seems to be a popular day among musicians. Famous personalities like pop singer Brenda Lee, Nikki Sixx of Motley Crue, and Jermaine Jackson of The Jackson 5 were all born on this day.
Fact 5: A Groundbreaking Invention’s Anniversary
December 11, 1972, marks the day of the final moon landing by Apollo 17. Eugene Cernan, Ronald Evans and Harrison Schmitt became the last humans (as of now) to walk on the lunar surface, making it a significant date in the history of space exploration.
Fact 6: First Woman named TIME Person of the Year
On December 11, 1950, for the first time in history, a woman was named TIME magazine's 'Person of the Year.' The honor was given to Soong Mei-ling, also known as Madame Chiang Kai-shek, the First Lady of the Republic of China.
Fact 7: December 11, An Important Debut Date
The famous novel 'Gone with the Wind' was published on December 11, 1936. The novel went on to become one of the best-selling books of all time and was subsequently made into a highly successful movie.
Fact 8: The First Transatlantic Transmission
On this date in 1901, Marconi sent the first transatlantic radio transmission from Cornwall, England to Newfoundland, Canada. This historic event marked a new era in communication technology.
Fact 9: United Nations International Mountain Day
On December 11 each year, the world observes International Mountain Day. The initiative by the United Nations is aimed at raising awareness about the importance of mountains to life and the need to protect them.
Fact 10: A Day for Tango
Famed Argentine tango composer and bandoneón player, Carlos Gardel, along with celebrated tango composer Julio de Caro were both born on December 11, and so it is celebrated as Tango Day in Argentina.
Fact 11: Seventh Amendment’s Anniversary
December 11, 1791, marks the day when the Seventh Amendment to the United States Constitution was proposed. This amendment provides the right to a jury trial in certain civil cases and inhibits courts from overturning a jury's findings of fact.
Fact 12: Launch of Google’s Lunar X Prize
Google's Lunar X Prize, a competition that aimed to inspire engineers and entrepreneurs to develop low-cost methods of robotic space exploration, was launched on December 11, 2007.
Fact 13: A Day for Aviation Industry
December 11, 1936, witnessed the first flight of the Douglas DC-3, a fixed-wing propeller-driven airliner that revolutionized air transport in the 1930s and 1940s.
Fact 14: Famous Silent Film Actor’s Birth Date
Silent-film era actor and comedian, Harry Langdon, was born on December 11, 1884. Known as one of the "big four" comics alongside Charlie Chaplin, Buster Keaton, and Harold Lloyd, Langdon’s legacy is one of the celebrated ones in Hollywood.
Fact 15: A Day for the Iconic 'Mona Lisa'
Leonardo da Vinci's masterpiece, the 'Mona Lisa', was displayed for the public for the first time in the United States on December 11, 1962, at the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C.
Fact 16: A Day of Commemoration in India
Every year, December 11 is observed as 'National Unani Day' in India to mark the birth anniversary of great Unani scholar Hakim Ajmal Khan.
Fact 17: Birth of a Trailblazing Designer
On December 11, 1882, Fiorello LaGuardia, for whom New York City's LaGuardia Airport is named, was born. LaGuardia served as Mayor of New York City for three terms from 1934 to 1945.
Fact 18: Surrender of Napoleon’s Army
The remnants of Napoleon Bonaparte’s Grande Armée began their disastrous retreat from Russia following the Battle of Berezina, finally crossing the Niemen River on December 11, 1812.
Fact 19: Earthquake in Armenia
On December 11, 1988, a powerful earthquake hit the Soviet Republic of Armenia, prompting international humanitarian and relief efforts.
Fact 20: Creation of the Nation’s First Christmas Club
On December 11, 1909, the Carlisle Trust Company of Carlisle, Pennsylvania, began the nation's first Christmas Club. The aim was to encourage participants to save a little every week throughout the year so they would have money for holiday shopping.