On this day: June 11
June 11, 1776: The Continental Congress Forms a Committee to Draft the Declaration of Independence
On June 11, 1776, the Continental Congress formed a committee to draft the Declaration of Independence. The committee consisted of five members, including Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Roger Sherman, and Robert Livingston. Thomas Jefferson was tasked with writing the first draft of the declaration, which was later revised by the other members of the committee before being officially adopted on July 4, 1776.
June 11, 1963: Alabama Governor George Wallace Blocks Integration at the University of Alabama
On June 11, 1963, Alabama Governor George Wallace famously stood in the doorway of the University of Alabama to block the admission of two African American students, Vivian Malone and James Hood. Wallace’s actions were in defiance of federal orders to desegregate the university, but he eventually stepped aside after being confronted by federal marshals. This event highlighted the ongoing struggle for civil rights in the United States.
June 11, 1979: Pope John Paul II Visits Poland
On June 11, 1979, Pope John Paul II made a historic visit to his native Poland, becoming the first Pope to visit a Communist country. The visit was seen as a symbol of solidarity with the Polish people and their struggle for freedom and human rights. During his visit, Pope John Paul II delivered powerful speeches calling for peace, justice, and solidarity among all people.
June 11, 1993: The United Nations Security Council Imposes Sanctions on Yugoslavia
On June 11, 1993, the United Nations Security Council imposed economic sanctions on the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia in response to the ongoing conflict in the region. The sanctions were intended to pressure the Yugoslav government to end its aggression and human rights abuses in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The sanctions remained in place until the conflict was resolved through diplomatic negotiations and peace agreements.
June 11, 2001: Timothy McVeigh is Executed for the Oklahoma City Bombing
On June 11, 2001, Timothy McVeigh was executed by lethal injection for his role in the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing, which killed 168 people and injured hundreds more. The bombing was the deadliest act of domestic terrorism in U.S. history at the time, and McVeigh’s execution brought a sense of closure to the victims’ families and the nation as a whole. The event remains a somber reminder of the dangers of extremism and violence.
