In History, Today on January 11

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced new measures to curb strike action by bringing a new bill to parliament.

Kazakhstan's President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev announced the end of a week of violent unrest and the withdrawal of Russian-led CSTO troops.

China recorded its first COVID-19 death since May 2020 amidst a rise in cases in Shijiazhuang, Hebei province.

China reports its first death from a new coronavirus, later identified as COVID-19, in Wuhan, marking the beginning of a global pandemic.

David Bowie, the iconic British musician and actor, passes away at the age of 69, two days after releasing his final album, 'Blackstar'.

The Unity March (Marche Républicaine) in Paris took place following the Charlie Hebdo shooting, gathering over 1.5 million people, and featuring many world leaders.

The French military begins Operation Serval, intervening in the Northern Mali conflict to combat Islamist militants who had taken control of the region.

Miep Gies, one of the Dutch citizens who hid Anne Frank and her family from the Nazis during World War II, passes away at the age of 100.

Sir Edmund Hillary, the first man to reach the summit of Mount Everest, dies at the age of 88 in Auckland, New Zealand.

Vietnam becomes the 150th member of the World Trade Organization (WTO), marking a significant milestone in its economic reform and global integration efforts.

The first detainees arrive at the Guantanamo Bay detention camp, a U.S. military prison located in Cuba, established to hold and interrogate prisoners captured during the War on Terror.

The Federal Trade Commission approves the merger of America Online (AOL) and Time Warner, creating AOL Time Warner, a combined company valued at $350 billion.

The Irish Government announced the end of a 15-year broadcasting ban on the IRA and its political arm Sinn Féin.

President Ronald Reagan delivered his farewell address to the nation.

The Gateway Bridge in Brisbane, Australia, was officially opened.

The American League adopted the designated hitter rule in baseball, changing the dynamics of the game.

The U.S. Surgeon General reported that smoking may be hazardous to health, the first such report linking smoking and ill health.

Los Angeles received its first recorded snowfall, an unusual weather event for the region.

Amelia Earhart became the first person to fly solo from Hawaii to California.

Insulin was first used to treat diabetes in a human patient.

The Grand Canyon National Monument was created by U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt, protecting a large portion of the canyon under federal control.

The Anglo-Zulu War began when British troops under Lieutenant General Frederic Augustus invaded as part of a plan to confederate South Africa.

The Battle of Arkansas Post (or Fort Hindman) took place during the American Civil War. Union forces captured the confederate fort, gaining control of the Mississippi River.

Alabama seceded from the United States, joining the Confederacy during the American Civil War.

The storming of the fort at Valdivia was part of the Chilean War of Independence.

The first public demonstration of the telegraph, developed by Samuel Morse, took place.

William Herschel discovered Titania and Oberon, two moons of Uranus.

The first American life insurance company was incorporated in Philadelphia.

A powerful earthquake struck Sicily, causing widespread destruction and loss of life.

The first recorded lottery in England was drawn in St. Paul's Cathedral.

Philip V of France, also known as Philip the Tall, was crowned King of France at Reims Cathedral.

Theodora becomes Empress of the Byzantine Empire for the second time. A member of the Macedonian dynasty, she consolidates power and begins ruling directly after previously having served as co-empress with her sister Zoe.

The Nika riots began in Constantinople, the capital of the Byzantine Empire. These were violent riots that took place over the course of a week and were sparked by political and social tensions, as well as dissatisfaction with the rule of Emperor Justinian I.