In History, Today on June 11

The G7 summit 2021 began in Cornwall, United Kingdom, marking the first in-person meeting of the G7 leaders since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Key topics included COVID-19 vaccines, climate change, and global economic recovery.

The Singapore Summit takes place, where U.S. President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un meet for the first time.

Democratic Senator Chris Murphy began a filibuster on the United States Senate floor to push for gun control legislation following the Orlando nightclub shooting.

The Act on the Promotion of Renewable Energy in Japan was enacted, encouraging the adoption of renewable energy sources following the Fukushima nuclear disaster.

The 2010 FIFA World Cup begins in South Africa, marking the first time the tournament is held on the African continent.

The World Health Organization declared the H1N1 influenza outbreak a global pandemic, marking the first global flu pandemic in 41 years.

Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper formally apologizes to the First Nations for the Canadian Indian residential school system.

The funeral of former U.S. President Ronald Reagan takes place at the Washington National Cathedral.

Antonio Meucci is recognized as the first inventor of the telephone by the United States Congress.

Timothy McVeigh, the American domestic terrorist responsible for the Oklahoma City bombing, is executed by lethal injection.

Compaq Computer pays $9 billion for Digital Equipment Corporation in the largest high-tech acquisition to date.

Margaret Thatcher became the first British Prime Minister in 160 years to win a third consecutive term, following the general election victory of the Conservative Party.

E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, directed by Steven Spielberg, is released in the United States.

John Wayne, American actor and film icon, dies at age 72.

Anna Mae Hays and Elizabeth P. Hoisington became the first women in the United States Army to be promoted to the rank of brigadier general.

Alabama Governor George Wallace stood in the doorway of the University of Alabama to block the enrollment of African American students, an event known as the 'Stand in the Schoolhouse Door.'

Ben-Gurion delivers the 'Law of Return' speech, which becomes the basis for the Israeli Law of Return, allowing Jews the world over the right to immigrate to Israel and gain citizenship.

World War II: The United States established the Office of War Information (OWI), which played a crucial role in propaganda and information dissemination throughout the war.

World War II: The Western Allies launched their first large-scale attack in the Battle of Narvik. Although the battle was ultimately a tactical victory, strategic complications led to an evacuation from Norway days later.

The Soviet Union executes eight army leaders as part of Joseph Stalin's Great Purge, reflecting the intense political repression of the era.

Inventor Edwin Armstrong gave the first public demonstration of FM radio broadcasting at Alpine, New Jersey.

Paris hosted the first automobile race from Paris to Bordeaux and back, marking a significant event in the history of motor racing.

The Limelight Department, one of the world's first film studios, is officially established in Melbourne, Australia.

The Comstock Lode, the first major U.S. discovery of silver ore, was discovered by Henry Comstock in Nevada.

Sir John Franklin's expeditionary team departs from the company of their supply ships in an effort to chart the Northwest Passage as part of a British Royal Navy voyage.

The first cornerstone is laid for Fort Hamilton in New York City.

The Irish Rebellion of 1798, also known as the United Irishmen Rebellion, experiences the Battle of Naas.

Russian explorer Gerasim Izmailov reaches Alaska during an expedition, expanding Russian claims in North America.

The Continental Congress appointed a committee to draft the Declaration of Independence, which included Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Roger Sherman, and Robert R. Livingston.

British explorer Captain James Cook ran aground on the Great Barrier Reef, leading to the first recorded European contact with the reef.

King Henry VIII of England married Catherine of Aragon, his first wife, at a private ceremony in Greenwich.

Alfonso V of Aragon, also known as Alfonso of Naples, is crowned King of Naples after conquering the city the previous year. This event marks a significant expansion of Aragonese power in southern Italy and plays a crucial role in the political dynamics of the Italian peninsula during the 15th century.

The Battle of Campaldino was fought between the Guelphs and the Ghibellines in Tuscany, Italy.

The city of Magdeburg in the Holy Roman Empire was sacked by the forces of Henry the Lion, Duke of Saxony and Bavaria, during a conflict with the Archbishop of Magdeburg.

Vladimir the Great, the Grand Prince of Kiev, began his rule over the Kievan Rus', which would later lead to the Christianization of the region.

Al-Hadi becomes the Abbasid Caliph after the death of his father, Al-Mahdi.

The Battle of Wogastisburg, a significant conflict between the Franks and the Slavs, took place. The Slavs, led by Samo, successfully defended against the Frankish forces under King Dagobert I.