Osun Defender History Corner: January 11 In Focus

Today, on the history corner, we take a trip in the realm of flashback and recall some events that marked this day.

January 11, 49 BC

Julius Caesar crossed the Rubicon River, leading to the Roman Civil War.

January 11, 630

Prophet Muhammad led his followers into Mecca, marking the end of the conquest of the city.

January 11, 1569

The first recorded lottery was drawn in England.

January 11, 1759

In the Battle of Martinique, British forces captured the French-held Caribbean island.

January 11, 1770

The Battle of Golden Hill took place in New York City, a precursor to the American Revolutionary War.

January 11, 1861

Alabama seceded from the United States.

January 11, 1922

Insulin was first used to treat diabetes in a human patient.

January 11, 1942

Japan invaded the Philippines during World War II.

January 11, 1964

U.S. Surgeon General Luther Terry released a report that linked smoking to lung cancer.

January 11, 1973

The Open University in the United Kingdom awarded its first degrees.

January 11, 1994

The Irish government announced a complete end to the broadcasting ban on the IRA and Sinn Féin.

January 11, 2007

The iPhone was introduced by Apple’s Steve Jobs.

January 11, 2010

A 7.0 magnitude earthquake struck Haiti, causing widespread devastation.

January 11, 2013

The tallest human-made structure, the Burj Khalifa in Dubai, officially opened.

January 11, 2016

David Bowie, the iconic musician, passed away at the age of 69.

January 11, 2019

The Chinese spacecraft Chang’e-4 became the first to successfully land on the far side of the Moon.

January 11, 2020

The World Health Organization identified a new coronavirus, later named SARS-CoV-2, in Wuhan, China.

January 11, 2021

Twitter permanently suspended then-US President Donald Trump’s account.

January 11, 2022

The James Webb Space Telescope was launched, heralded as the successor to the Hubble Space Telescope.

January 11, 2023

The United States and North Korea engaged in diplomatic talks to ease tensions on the Korean Peninsula.

Please note that these are just a few historical events that happened on January 11. History is full of numerous other significant events on this day, ranging from politics and warfare to cultural and scientific milestones.