It’s December 11th, and the holiday season is well underway! And, due to the holidays and all the cheer and chaos they bring, we tend to forget about the days leading up to them. So, we encourage you to take some time today to focus on what makes this day so very special. Here are some of the most interesting things to know about December 11th.
On this day
1Constantinople got its first city prefect.
On 11 December 359, Honoratus became the first known Prefect of Constantinople, the official in charge of the city, after Emperor Constantius II gave the eastern capital its own senate.
2Louis XVI went on trial.
On 11 December 1792, the former king Louis XVI went on trial before the National Convention, accused of treason. He was found guilty and guillotined on 21 January 1793. Marie Antoinette was executed later that year.
3The Mona Lisa was recovered.
In December 1913, more than two years after it was stolen from the Louvre, the Mona Lisa was recovered in Florence when the thief, Vincenzo Peruggia, tried to sell it to an art dealer.
4UNICEF was established.
Back in 1946, the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund was first established. It was created by resolution 57(I) of the UN General Assembly. UNICEF remains one of the most important forces in ensuring children receive due care and nutrition, and safety from conflict, the world over.
5The Kyoto Protocol was adopted.
On 11 December 1997, countries meeting in Kyoto, Japan, adopted the Kyoto Protocol, which committed industrialised nations to cut their greenhouse gas emissions.
Special Days Falling on December 11th
December 11th may not seem like the most special day of December for you, but for many people, it is exactly that. Here are some of the most important events taking place today.
Anniversary of the Statute of Westminster
On 11 December 1931, the Statute of Westminster gave Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Ireland and Newfoundland full control of their own laws. Canada still marks the anniversary.
Burkina Faso Republic Day
On 11 December 1958, the French colony of Upper Volta became a self-governing republic within the French Community. It became fully independent in 1960 and took the name Burkina Faso, ‘land of upright people’, in 1984.
International Mountain Day
For people all over the world, December 11th is International Mountain Day. Mountains play a huge role in ecosystems, sports, and spiritual practices, and have done for millennia! So, it’s only right that we protect and treasure these beautiful parts of the planet. Why not try and climb one if you’re fit, healthy, and trained up to go?
This month in history
Victor Emmanuel III died in exile. On 28 December 1947, the former king of Italy died in Alexandria, Egypt. He had abdicated in 1946 in favour of his son, Umberto II, who reigned for just over a month before Italians voted to become a republic.
Famous Birthdays on December 11th
- Leo X, Italian Catholic Pope, born 1475
- David Brewster, Scottish physicist and inventor, born 1781
- Brenda Lee, American musician, born 1944
- Marco Pierre White, English chef, born 1961
- Rey Mysterio, American wrestler, born 1974
If you were born on December 11th
…you’re a Sagittarius! You’re an incredibly captivating person. You can charm any room with your infectious laughter, great stories, and killer confidence.
But, are you confident enough to head over to our Sagittarius facts page to learn more about yourself?
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