onthisday.me

On this day

December 11 Friday, December 11, 2026

A curious almanac of what happened on December 11 across the years — history, birthdays, the songs that ruled the charts, the films that packed cinemas, and the science that nudged the world forward.

🎂

Were you born on December 11?

Find out what the world looked like the day you arrived.

12
Events
7
Birthdays
6
Holidays
December 11, 969: Byzantine Emperor Nikephoros II Phokas is assassinated by his wife Theophano and her lover, the later Emperor John I Tzimiskes.
969
European history 1057 years ago

Byzantine Emperor Nikephoros II Phokas is assassinated by his wife Theophano and her lover, the later Emperor John I Tzimiskes.

Byzantine Emperor Nikephoros II Phokas is assassinated in a conspiracy led by his wife Theophano and her lover, the future Emperor John I Tzimiskes.

History

What happened on December 11

12 verified entries Full timeline
  1. 220

    Emperor Xian of Han is forced to abdicate the throne by Cao Cao's son Cao Pi, ending the Han dynasty.

    Cao Pi forces Emperor Xian to abdicate, marking the end of the Han dynasty.

    World history
  2. 361

    Julian enters Constantinople as sole Roman Emperor.

    Julian enters Constantinople as the sole ruler of the Roman Empire.

    European history
  3. 861

    Assassination of the Abbasid caliph al-Mutawakkil by the Turkish guard, who raise al-Muntasir to the throne, start of the "Anarchy at Samarra".

    Al-Mutawakkil is assassinated by his Turkish guards, who then elevate al-Muntasir to the caliphate, marking the beginning of the Anarchy at Samarra.

    World history
  4. 969

    Byzantine Emperor Nikephoros II Phokas is assassinated by his wife Theophano and her lover, the later Emperor John I Tzimiskes.

    Byzantine Emperor Nikephoros II Phokas is assassinated in a conspiracy led by his wife Theophano and her lover, the future Emperor John I Tzimiskes.

    European history
  5. 1041

    Michael V, adoptive son of Empress Zoë of Byzantium, is proclaimed emperor of the Eastern Roman Empire.

    Michael V is proclaimed emperor of the Eastern Roman Empire after being adopted by Empress Zoë.

    European history
  6. 1239

    Treaty of Benavente: the heiresses of the Kingdom of León renounce their throne to King Ferdinand III of Castile

    The heiresses of the Kingdom of León renounce their claims to King Ferdinand III of Castile, uniting León and Castile.

    European history
  7. 1282

    Battle of Orewin Bridge: Llywelyn ap Gruffudd, the last native Prince of Wales, is killed at Cilmeri near Builth Wells in mid-Wales.

    Llywelyn ap Gruffudd, the last native Prince of Wales, is killed in battle near Builth Wells, ending Welsh independence.

    UK history
  8. 1317

    The Nyköping Banquet (Swedish: Nyköpings gästabud) takes place as King Birger of Sweden celebrates Christmas at Nyköping Castle. Among the guests are his two brothers Duke Valdemar and Duke Eric, who later that night are imprisoned and eventually starved to death in the castle dungeon.

    King Birger imprisons and ultimately starves to death his brothers Duke Valdemar and Duke Eric during a Christmas banquet at Nyköping Castle.

    European history
  9. 1675

    Antonio de Vea expedition enters San Rafael Lake in western Patagonia.

    Antonio de Vea's expedition reaches San Rafael Lake in western Patagonia, becoming among the first Europeans to explore this remote glacial region.

    World history
  10. 1688

    Glorious Revolution: James II of England, while trying to flee to France, throws the Great Seal of the Realm into the River Thames.

    James II of England tosses the Great Seal of the Realm into the River Thames as he attempts to escape to France.

    UK history
  11. 1792

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

    King Louis XVI stands trial for treason before the National Convention.

    World history
  12. 1868

    Paraguayan War: Brazilian troops defeat the Paraguayan Army at the Battle of Avay.

    Brazilian forces defeat the Paraguayan Army in the Battle of Avay, marking a significant victory in the Paraguayan War.

    War

Born today

Famous birthdays on December 11

Music

The number one songs on December 11

Across the years Full chart history
Stand and Deliver album cover

🇬🇧 #1 on December 11, 1981

"Stand and Deliver"

by Adam and the Ants

The dandy highwayman spent five weeks at the top — a brash, glam-pop coronation.

#1 for 5 weeks

Also #1 on this day

  • 1965
    "Ticket To Ride"
    — The Beatles
  • 1972
    "Metal Guru"
    — T. Rex
  • 2003
    "Make Luv"
    — Room 5 ft. Oliver Cheatham

Film & TV

At the movies

Box office #1 and premieres All releases
The Empire Strikes Back poster

Box-office #1

The Empire Strikes Back

1980 · dir. Irvin Kershner

Wide US release on May 23, 1980. Goes on to become the highest-grossing film of the year.

Sci-fiStar Wars $538M worldwide
🏆 Sport

December 11, 1982

Aston Villa shock Bayern Munich for the European Cup

In Rotterdam, late substitute Peter Withe scores the winner as Villa lift the trophy on their first attempt.

Read the story
🔬 Science

December 11, 2020

The Food and Drug Administration issues an Emergency Use Authorization on the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine, the first COVID-19 vaccine to be approved by the agency.

The FDA issues an Emergency Use Authorization for the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine, marking it as the first such approval for a coronavirus vaccine.

Read the story

Today is also

Holidays & observances

6 celebrated today

Establishment of Kurdish Women's Union (Iraqi Kurdistan)

International

This is a list of public holidays in Iraq

Indiana Day (United States)

International

Indiana Day is a legal holiday in the state of Indiana, United States, commemorating the state's 1816 admission to the Union

International Mountain Day

International

Mountain Day refers to three different and unrelated events: (1) Mountain Day, a student celebration in some colleges in the United States in which classes are cancelled without prior notice, and the

National Tango Day (Argentina)

International

Julio de Caro was an Argentine composer, musician, and conductor prominent in the Tango genre

Pampanga Day (Pampanga province, Philippines)

International

Pampanga, officially the Province of Pampanga, is a province in Central Luzon, Philippines

Republic Day, the day when Upper Volta became an autonomous republic in the French Community in 1958. (Burkina Faso)

International

This is a list of holidays in Burkina Faso

One must live with the living, not with the dead.

Elena Garro · born December 11, 1916