On this day: December 11
1638: The Treaty of Hartford is signed
On December 11, 1638, the Treaty of Hartford was signed between English settlers and the Pequot tribe in the Connecticut colony. The treaty marked the end of the Pequot War, a conflict that had been raging for two years. The signing of the treaty allowed for peace and cooperation between the two groups, leading to a period of relative calm in the region.
1844: The first successful use of anesthesia in childbirth
On December 11, 1844, Dr. Crawford Long successfully used ether as an anesthetic during childbirth for the first time. This revolutionary discovery revolutionized the field of medicine, allowing for painless surgeries and procedures to be performed. Dr. Long’s use of anesthesia during childbirth paved the way for safer and more comfortable medical procedures in the future.
1936: King Edward VIII abdicates the throne
On December 11, 1936, King Edward VIII of the United Kingdom abdicated the throne in order to marry American socialite Wallis Simpson. His decision to step down as king shocked the nation and sparked a constitutional crisis. His younger brother, George VI, succeeded him as king. The abdication of King Edward VIII remains one of the most controversial events in British royal history.
1941: Germany and Italy declare war on the United States
On December 11, 1941, just days after the attack on Pearl Harbor, Germany and Italy declared war on the United States. The declaration of war marked the entry of the United States into World War II, joining the Allied forces in their fight against the Axis powers. The decision to declare war on the United States would prove to be a strategic mistake for Germany and Italy, as it further strengthened the Allied forces and ultimately led to their defeat in the war.
1997: The Kyoto Protocol is adopted
On December 11, 1997, the Kyoto Protocol was adopted at the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Kyoto, Japan. The protocol aimed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and combat climate change by setting binding targets for industrialized countries to reduce their emissions. The Kyoto Protocol marked a significant step forward in international efforts to address climate change, although its effectiveness has been debated in the years since its adoption.
2012: The Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting
On December 11, 2012, a tragic shooting took place at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut. Twenty-six people, including twenty children, were killed in the attack. The Sandy Hook shooting shocked the nation and sparked a renewed debate on gun control and mental health in the United States. The tragedy at Sandy Hook remains one of the deadliest school shootings in American history.
