December 11: What Happened on This Day in History
December 11th marks the 345th day of the Gregorian calendar year (or the 346th in case of leap years). There are 20 days remaining until the end of the year.
Discover what happened on December 11th in history, famous birthdays on December 11th, celebrities died on this day, the day of the week and the zodiac sign associated to December 11.
What happened on December 11?
Here's what happened on December 11th in history:
- 2021: U.K. Foreign Secretary Liz Truss issued a strong diplomatic warning to Russia, threatening 'severe consequences' if the country proceeded with an invasion of Ukraine. Truss urged European leaders to reduce their dependence on Russian natural gas and suggested potential financial sanctions, including potentially blocking Russian access to British financial markets. This statement was part of escalating international tensions surrounding Russia's military buildup near the Ukrainian border.
- 2008: A suicide bombing in Kirkuk, Iraq, resulted in multiple casualties, heightening tensions in the region. The attack targeted a police station, reflecting ongoing security challenges in Iraq. source: reuters.com
- 2002: On December 11, 2002, the Ariane 5 ESC-A rocket experienced a launch failure shortly after takeoff. This incident raised concerns regarding the reliability of the Ariane launch system and prompted investigations into the causes of the failure. source: esa.int
- 2000: On December 11, 2000, the U.S. Supreme Court issued its decision in Bush v. Gore, effectively resolving the disputed 2000 presidential election. The Court's ruling halted the Florida recount, leading to George W. Bush's victory over Al Gore. source: supremecourt.gov
- 1995: Thomas O. Hicks purchased the Dallas Stars NHL franchise in December 1995. His ownership marked a new era for the team, which would later achieve significant success, including a Stanley Cup championship. source: nhl.com
- 1994: Yao Yilin, a prominent Chinese political leader who served as Vice Prime Minister in 1979, passed away. He was an important figure in China's political landscape during a period of significant economic and political reforms.
- 1990: On December 9, 1990, student demonstrators from Enver Hoxha University in Tirana marched through the streets of the capital, demanding an end to dictatorship. By December 11, the number of protesters had reached nearly 3,000. In response to the unrest, the Central Committee of the Albanian Party of Labor announced the Thirteenth Plenary Session for February 1991, signaling a move towards political pluralism. source: en.wikipedia.org
- 1985: On December 11, 1985, the Unabomber's first fatal bombing occurred in Sacramento, California. Hugh Scrutton, the owner of RenTech Computer Rentals, was killed when a bomb disguised as a piece of scrap lumber exploded in the parking lot behind his store. This marked the first death attributed to the Unabomber, who had previously targeted universities and airlines. source: law.cornell.edu
- 1981: Javier Pérez de Cuéllar was appointed as the Secretary-General of the United Nations on December 11, 1981. He served in this role until December 31, 1991, becoming the first Latin American to hold the position. His tenure was marked by efforts to resolve international conflicts and promote peacekeeping initiatives. source: un.org
- 1977: On December 11, 1977, the Soviet Union launched Soyuz 26, carrying cosmonauts Valery Ryumin and Leonid Popov to the Salyut 6 space station for a long-duration mission. source: en.wikipedia.org
What famous birthdays are on December 11?
On December 11th there are the following famous birthdays:
![Rita Moreno]()
Rita Moreno (1931)Rita Moreno is a Puerto Rican actress, dancer, and singer, renowned for her work in film, television, and theater. She is one of the few performers to have won all four major American entertainment awards: an Emmy, a Grammy, an Oscar, and a Tony (EGOT). [bio]
![John Kerry]()
John Kerry (1943)John Kerry is an American politician and diplomat who served as the 68th United States Secretary of State from 2013 to 2017 under President Barack Obama. He is also known for being the Democratic nominee for President in the 2004 election and a longtime United States Senator from Massachusetts. [bio]
![Dilip Kumar]()
Dilip Kumar (1922)Dilip Kumar was a legendary Indian film actor and producer, widely regarded as one of the greatest and most influential actors in the history of Indian cinema. He was renowned for his nuanced performances, pioneering a naturalistic acting style and earning the title 'Tragedy King' for his roles in emotional dramas. [bio]
![Brenda Lee]()
Brenda Lee (1944)Brenda Lee is an American singer known for her powerful voice and a string of popular hits during the 1950s and 1960s, including the perennial holiday favorite "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree." She is regarded as one of the most successful female recording artists in history. [bio]
![Hailee Steinfeld]()
Hailee Steinfeld (1996)Hailee Steinfeld is an American actress and singer who achieved early acclaim for her Oscar-nominated role in 'True Grit' and has since established a successful career in both acting and music. [bio]
![Nikki Sixx]()
Nikki Sixx (1958)Nikki Sixx is an American musician, songwriter, and radio host, best known as the co-founder, bassist, and primary songwriter of the heavy metal band Mötley Crüe. He has also been a member of other bands such as Sixx:A.M. and has authored several books. [bio]
![Rider Strong]()
Rider Strong (1979)Rider Strong is an American actor, director, producer, and screenwriter best known for his role as Shawn Hunter on the television series 'Boy Meets World.' He has also worked extensively as a voice actor, director, and podcast host. [bio]
![Leon Lai]()
![Karla Souza]()
Karla Souza (1985)Karla Souza is a Mexican actress best known for her roles in both Mexican cinema and American television, particularly for playing Laurel Castillo on the ABC legal drama series "How to Get Away with Murder." [bio]
![Teri Garr]()
How to check someone's birthday?
If you’re looking for a person's birth date, have a look at our Birthday Search Guide
Who died on December 11?
On December 11th the following celebrities died:
![Sam Cooke]()
Sam Cooke (1964)Sam Cooke was an American singer, songwriter, and entrepreneur, often regarded as one of the most influential figures in the history of soul music. He was known for his distinctive voice, pioneering contributions to soul and pop music, and for helping to bridge the gap between black and white audiences during the civil rights era. [bio]
![Anne Rice]()
Anne Rice (2021)Anne Rice was a best-selling American author, renowned for her epic series of gothic fiction novels, most notably 'The Vampire Chronicles', which brought vampires into mainstream popular culture. Her works are celebrated for their sensuous prose and exploration of morality, sexuality, and the supernatural. [bio]
![Andre Braugher]()
Andre Braugher (2023)Andre Braugher was an acclaimed American actor best known for his roles in television and film. He gained widespread recognition for his performances as Detective Frank Pembleton in 'Homicide: Life on the Street' and Captain Raymond Holt in 'Brooklyn Nine-Nine'. [bio]
![Galina Vishnevskaya]()
Galina Vishnevskaya (2012)Galina Vishnevskaya was a renowned Russian operatic soprano who gained international acclaim for her powerful voice, dramatic intensity, and significant contributions to the world of opera in the 20th century. [bio]
![Percy Kilbride]()
Percy Kilbride (1964)Percy Kilbride was an American actor best known for his role as Pa Kettle in the popular Ma and Pa Kettle film series. Renowned for his comedic timing and portrayal of the lovable country character, Kilbride became a staple of American cinema during the 1940s and 1950s. [bio]
![Arthur Mullard]()
Arthur Mullard (1995)Arthur Mullard was a British actor and singer best known for his comedic roles on television and in film from the 1950s through the 1980s. He became well known for his appearances in sitcoms such as 'Romany Jones' and 'Yus, My Dear.' [bio]
![Ravi Shankar]()
Ravi Shankar (2012)Ravi Shankar was a legendary Indian classical musician who revolutionized global understanding of sitar music and significantly influenced...
![Ahmadou Kourouma]()
Ahmadou Kourouma (2003)Renowned Ivorian novelist who masterfully explored African postcolonial experiences through powerful literary works, significantly...
![Maurice McDonald]()
Maurice McDonald (1971)Co-founder of McDonald's, the global fast-food restaurant chain that revolutionized the food service industry with its standardized menu and...
![André Lichnerowicz]()
André Lichnerowicz (1998)Renowned French mathematician specializing in differential geometry and mathematical physics, who made significant contributions to...
What day of the year is December 11?
December 11th marks the 345th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (or the 346th in case of leap years).
There are 20 days remaining until the end of the year.
December 11th is the 11th day of the month of December.
What day of the week is December 11?
On December 11th, 2026 the day of the week is Friday.
| December | 2026 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun |
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | |
| 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 |
| 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 |
| 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 |
| 28 | 29 | 30 | 31 | |||
What zodiac sign is associated with the day December 11?
The zodiac sign associated with December 11th is Sagittarius according to the Western Zodiac.
