In History, Today on December 11

The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted emergency use authorization for the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine, marking a significant milestone in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.

A volcanic eruption occurred on White Island (Whakaari) in New Zealand, resulting in 22 deaths and multiple injuries among tourists and guides who were on the island at the time.

An attempted terrorist attack occurred in New York City when a pipe bomb partially detonated in the New York City Subway, injuring four people including the perpetrator.

The European Union and Croatia signed a treaty of accession, paving the way for Croatia to become the 28th member state of the EU, which it officially joined on July 1, 2013.

Estonia became the first country in the world to establish a national system of fast chargers for electric cars.

Bernard Madoff was arrested and charged with securities fraud in a Ponzi scheme that defrauded investors of billions of dollars, one of the largest financial frauds in U.S. history.

The People's Republic of China joined the World Trade Organization (WTO) after 15 years of negotiations, marking a significant moment in global trade as China opened its markets to international competition.

The protocol to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, known as the Kyoto Protocol, is adopted in Kyoto, Japan.

The First Chechen War began as Russian forces entered the Chechen Republic of Ichkeria, leading to a prolonged and bloody conflict.

Apollo 17 becomes the sixth and final Apollo mission to land on the Moon, with astronauts Eugene Cernan and Harrison Schmitt conducting lunar surface activities.

Che Guevara addresses the United Nations General Assembly in New York.

U.S. involvement in the Vietnam War officially begins as American helicopters arrive in Saigon.

Joe DiMaggio announces his retirement from Major League Baseball.

The United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF) is established to provide emergency food and healthcare to children in countries that had been devastated by World War II.

Germany and Italy declare war on the United States during World War II, following the attack on Pearl Harbor.

King Edward VIII of the United Kingdom abdicates the throne to marry Wallis Simpson, an American divorcée.

British General Edmund Allenby enters Jerusalem on foot, becoming the first Christian to control the city in centuries after leading the British Empire's forces to victory against the Ottoman Empire.

The Treaties of Paris and Washington of 1898 were ratified, formally ending the Spanish-American War with the cession of Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines to the United States.

The cargo ship SS Royal Charter was launched in River Dee near Chester, England. It would later become infamous after being wrecked in 1859 in one of the most tragic shipwrecks, costing over 450 lives.

Dr. Horace Wells becomes the first person to have a tooth extracted using nitrous oxide as an anesthetic.

Indiana is admitted as the 19th U.S. state.

King Louis XVI of France is put on trial for treason by the National Convention during the French Revolution.

The first recorded sighting of the Aurora Borealis in North America was made by Europeans near Quebec City.

James II of England flees to France during the Glorious Revolution, marking a pivotal point in the transfer of power to William of Orange.

The Mayflower Pilgrims landed at Plymouth Rock in present-day Massachusetts, marking a significant event in the early colonization of North America.

A surprise Spanish attack led by Ambrosio Spinola took place on the fort at Ostend during the Eighty Years' War.

Astronomer Tycho Brahe made observations of a supernova now known as SN 1572, one of the major events in early modern astronomy.

The Sicilian city of Messina surrenders to the forces of Charles of Anjou, marking a significant moment in the War of the Sicilian Vespers.

The Crusaders captured Sidon during the First Crusade, expanding the Kingdom of Jerusalem's territory.

Michael V Kalaphates was overthrown as Byzantine Emperor following a popular uprising in Constantinople.

Byzantine Emperor Nikephoros II Phokas is assassinated in his palace by a conspiracy led by his wife Theophano and her lover John I Tzimiskes, who then becomes emperor.

Julian the Apostate enters Constantinople as sole Emperor of the Roman Empire after the death of Constantius II.