Significant Historical Milestones Observed on March 11

Key historical events on March 11 include the creation of the Bureau of Indian Affairs in 1824, Johnny Appleseed’s death in 1845, the adoption of the Confederate Constitution in 1861, the first Spanish influenza cases reported in 1918, and the recent removal of presidential term limits in China in 2018. This date has seen significant political, social, and health-related milestones throughout history.

On March 11, history notes significant events across various years. In 1824, the U.S. War Department established the Bureau of Indian Affairs. Transitioning to 1845, it is recorded that Johnny Appleseed, officially known as John Chapman, passed away in Allen County, Indiana. Furthermore, in 1861, delegates from seven Southern states convened in Montgomery, Alabama, adopting the Permanent Constitution of the Confederate States of America.

In 1918, the initial cases of Spanish influenza were documented in the United States, leading to a staggering global death toll of 22 million by 1920, with 500,000 fatalities occurring in the U.S. In 1930, former President William Howard Taft was interred in Arlington National Cemetery, becoming the first president to receive this honor. The year 1942 saw General Douglas MacArthur retreat from the Corregidor fortress as Japan’s conquest of the Philippines loomed, leaving 90,000 U.S. and Filipino troops behind.

In 1985, Mikhail Gorbachev emerged as the new leader of the Communist Party, succeeding Konstantin Chernenko and marking a generational shift in the Soviet leadership. The independence of Lithuania from the Soviet Union was proclaimed in 1990, representing a significant fracture in the communist regime. Janet Reno made history in 1993 by becoming the first female attorney general of the United States after unanimous Senate approval.

The year 2004 was marred by tragedy when 10 simultaneous bomb explosions targeted commuter trains in Madrid, resulting in 191 deaths and 1,400 injuries. In 2006, the former President of Yugoslavia, Slobodan Milosevic, was found dead in his cell during his war crimes trial, while Michelle Bachelet was sworn in as Chile’s first female president after surviving years of torture under military dictatorship.

In 2011, Japan experienced a catastrophic 9.0 magnitude earthquake, triggering a devastating tsunami and causing extensive damage and loss of life, with nearly 15,900 deaths reported. Fast forward to 2018, when China’s legislature voted overwhelmingly to amend the Constitution, effectively abolishing presidential term limits to facilitate Xi Jinping’s indefinite presidency.

The World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a pandemic on March 11, 2020, as cases surged globally. Finally, in 2022, Russian forces arrested Melitopol’s mayor, Ivan Fedorov, only to release him five days later, highlighting the tensions in the region.

March 11 has marked a series of pivotal historical events that have shaped governance, independence, and international relations over the years. From the establishment of governmental bodies to significant political transformations and tragedies, this date remains significant in illustrating the complexity and evolution of global history. The recent changes in China’s presidency reinforce the ongoing shifts in political landscapes worldwide, alongside the impact of global health crises.

Original Source: www.upi.com