491day.year
Flavius Anastasius becomes Byzantine emperor, with the name of Anastasius I.
In 491, Flavius Anastasius ascended to the Byzantine throne as Emperor Anastasius I, initiating a lengthy reign of administrative and fiscal reform.
In April 491, the influential official Flavius Anastasius was proclaimed emperor and adopted the name Anastasius I. He succeeded Zeno as ruler of the Byzantine Empire and governed for nearly three decades. Under his leadership, sweeping fiscal reforms stabilized the imperial treasury and reformed the coinage system. Anastasius funded extensive public works projects and strengthened the defenses of Constantinople. He also negotiated peace treaties with neighbouring peoples to secure the empire's borders. His reign set the stage for a period of renewed military and economic vigour in Byzantium.
491
Byzantine emperor
Anastasius I
1689day.year
William III and Mary II are crowned as joint sovereigns of Great Britain on the same day that the Scottish Parliament concurs with the English decision of 12 February.
On April 11, 1689, William III and Mary II were crowned joint monarchs of England and Scotland, cementing the constitutional settlement of the Glorious Revolution.
Following the overthrow of James II during the Glorious Revolution of 1688, William of Orange and his wife Mary were invited to assume the English throne. Their joint coronation at Westminster Abbey symbolized a shift toward parliamentary sovereignty and Protestant ascendancy. On the same day, the Scottish Parliament formally recognized their rule, uniting the crowns under a constitutional framework. The event affirmed the Bill of Rights and curtailed royal prerogative in favour of legislative power. It marked the beginning of a stable constitutional monarchy in Britain. Their reign influenced the evolution of modern parliamentary democracy across Europe.
1689
William III
Mary II
1713day.year
France and Great Britain sign the Treaty of Utrecht, bringing an end to the War of the Spanish Succession (Queen Anne's War). Britain accepts Philip V as King of Spain, while Philip renounces any claim to the French throne.
The 1713 Treaty of Utrecht concluded the War of the Spanish Succession, confirming Philip V as King of Spain and reshaping the European balance of power.
Signed on April 11, 1713, between France and Great Britain, the Treaty of Utrecht ended over a decade of conflict over who would succeed to the Spanish throne. Under its terms, Britain gained territorial concessions in North America and commercial privileges in Spanish colonies. France recognized the Hanoverian succession in Britain while Philip V was guaranteed the Spanish crown without uniting it with France. The agreement curbed Bourbon ambitions and established a new diplomatic order in Europe. Strategic ports such as Gibraltar and Minorca were ceded to Britain. The treaty series laid the foundation for 18th-century international politics and colonial expansion.
1713
Treaty of Utrecht
War of the Spanish Succession
Queen Anne's War
Philip V
1814day.year
The Treaty of Fontainebleau ends the War of the Sixth Coalition against Napoleon Bonaparte, and forces him to abdicate unconditionally for the first time.
The Treaty of Fontainebleau in 1814 forced Napoleon to abdicate unconditionally, ending the War of the Sixth Coalition and paving the way for the Bourbon Restoration.
After a series of defeats across Europe, Napoleon Bonaparte was compelled to negotiate terms with coalition powers at Fontainebleau. The treaty, signed on April 11, 1814, stipulated his unconditional abdication and exile to the island of Elba. Coalition armies entered Paris shortly before, securing the fall of his empire. The agreement brought an end to the War of the Sixth Coalition and temporarily restored the Bourbon monarchy under Louis XVIII. Napoleon retained the title of Emperor but lost all real authority, marking his first exile. Though the peace proved brief, it set the stage for his return during the Hundred Days.
1814
Treaty of Fontainebleau
War of the Sixth Coalition
Napoleon Bonaparte
1868day.year
Former shōgun Tokugawa Yoshinobu surrenders Edo Castle to Imperial forces, marking the end of the Tokugawa shogunate.
On April 11, 1868, Tokugawa Yoshinobu surrendered Edo Castle to Imperial forces, ending over 250 years of shogunal rule and ushering in the Meiji Restoration.
Shōgun Tokugawa Yoshinobu’s decision to hand over Edo Castle (modern-day Tokyo) to advancing Imperial troops marked the collapse of the Tokugawa shogunate that had governed Japan since 1603. This pivotal act brought an end to the Baku-han system of feudal domains and transferred real political power back to the Emperor. The fall of Edo Castle symbolized the triumph of the Meiji government’s campaign to modernize and centralize Japan. In the months that followed, the new administration implemented sweeping reforms in governance, education, and industry. Samurai privileges were abolished, and Western technologies and institutions were rapidly adopted. This event set Japan on a trajectory toward becoming a major world power by the early twentieth century. The surrender laid the foundation for the social and political transformations of the Meiji era.
1868
shōgun
Tokugawa Yoshinobu
Edo Castle
Tokugawa shogunate
1909day.year
The city of Tel Aviv is founded.
The city of Tel Aviv was founded as a modern Jewish urban community on the outskirts of ancient Jaffa.
On April 11, 1909, a group of 66 Jewish families held a lottery to allocate plots on the dunes north of the ancient port city of Jaffa, officially founding Tel Aviv. The name, Hebrew for “Spring Hill,” was inspired by the title of a pioneering novel by Theodor Herzl. From its earliest days, Tel Aviv was planned as a garden suburb with wide boulevards and Bauhaus-style architecture. It quickly attracted immigrants and entrepreneurs, becoming a center of Jewish culture, arts, and commerce in Ottoman and later British Mandate Palestine. The city’s growth continued through the 20th century, and in 1948 it became the temporary capital of the newly declared State of Israel. Today, Tel Aviv is known for its vibrant nightlife, tech industry, and beachfront promenade. The founding lottery remains a celebrated symbol of the city’s communal spirit and innovative vision.
1909
Tel Aviv
1921day.year
Emir Abdullah establishes the first centralised government in the newly created British protectorate of Transjordan.
Emir Abdullah established the first centralized government in the British protectorate of Transjordan.
On April 11, 1921, Emir Abdullah ibn Hussein convened a government council in Amman, laying the institutional foundations for what would become the Emirate of Transjordan. Under the guidance of British High Commissioner Sir Herbert Samuel, Abdullah implemented administrative reforms to unify tribal territories into a cohesive state apparatus. This centralization marked a departure from the Ottoman provincial system and tribal governance that had dominated the region. The new government created ministries, a police force, and judicial structures to maintain order and oversee development. Abdullah’s leadership earned him recognition from both local leaders and the British mandate authorities. His efforts paved the way for Transjordan’s eventual independence as the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan in 1946. The 1921 government formation remains a key moment in Jordanian national identity.
1921
Emir
Abdullah
British protectorate
Transjordan
1935day.year
Stresa Front: opening of the conference between the British Prime Minister Ramsay MacDonald, the Italian Prime Minister Benito Mussolini and the French Minister for Foreign Affairs Pierre Laval to condemn the German violations of the Treaty of Versailles.
Leaders of Britain, Italy, and France met in Stresa to form the Stresa Front, condemning Germany’s breaches of the Treaty of Versailles.
On April 11, 1935, British Prime Minister Ramsay MacDonald, Italian Duce Benito Mussolini, and French Foreign Minister Pierre Laval gathered in Stresa, Italy, to launch a united front against Adolf Hitler’s defiance of post-World War I agreements. Their Stresa Front declaration reaffirmed the signatories’ commitment to maintain European borders and uphold the Treaty of Versailles. The conference aimed to deter German rearmament and reassure smaller nations of collective security. Although the alliance faltered within months due to Italy’s invasion of Ethiopia and Britain’s separate naval treaty with Germany, the Stresa Front represented one of the last attempts at multilateral cooperation in interwar Europe. The talks highlighted the challenges of balancing national interests with collective diplomatic efforts. Historians view the Stresa Front as a fleeting moment of unity before the slide into World War II. Despite its short life, the conference underscored the urgency of addressing German aggression.
1935
Stresa Front
Ramsay MacDonald
Benito Mussolini
Pierre Laval
Treaty of Versailles
1952day.year
Bolivian National Revolution: Rebels take over Palacio Quemado.
In April 1952, revolutionary forces in Bolivia seized control of the Palacio Quemado, marking a decisive moment in the Bolivian National Revolution. The takeover paved the way for sweeping social and economic reforms.
The Bolivian National Revolution began with the Movimiento Nacionalista Revolucionario (MNR) overthrowing the existing government to address deep social inequalities. On April 11, 1952, rebel forces stormed the Palacio Quemado, Bolivia's presidential palace in La Paz, without significant resistance. This bold action led to the establishment of a revolutionary junta that nationalized the country's major tin mines and introduced universal suffrage. Land reforms redistributed estates to indigenous peasant communities who had long been marginalized. The revolution also implemented progressive labor laws and founded a more inclusive political system. While facing internal conflicts, the MNR's ascent reshaped Bolivia's political landscape for decades, influencing future military and civilian governments.
1952
Bolivian National Revolution
Palacio Quemado
1957day.year
United Kingdom agrees to Singaporean self-rule.
On April 11, 1957, the United Kingdom granted Singapore partial self-government, a significant step toward full independence. Local ministers gained authority over internal affairs.
Amid growing calls for decolonization, Britain and Singaporean leaders negotiated a new constitutional framework in 1957. The agreement established a fully elected Legislative Assembly and allowed Singapore to manage its domestic issues through locally appointed ministers. Chief Minister David Marshall and the People's Action Party played key roles in securing these reforms. Britain retained control over defense and foreign policy, but the partial self-rule energized nationalist movements and encouraged civic participation. These changes also paved the way for universal suffrage and further constitutional revisions. Over the next eight years, Singapore would advance toward complete autonomy, culminating in its independence on August 9, 1965. The 1957 accord remains a milestone in Singapore's transformation into a sovereign state.
1957
Singaporean
self-rule
1961day.year
The trial of Adolf Eichmann begins in Jerusalem.
The trial of former Nazi official Adolf Eichmann opened in Jerusalem, bringing Holocaust atrocities to global attention. Eichmann was charged with orchestrating the deportation of millions of Jews.
Adolf Eichmann, a central figure in the Nazi regime's Final Solution, was captured by Israeli agents in Argentina in 1960 and transported to Israel. His trial commenced on April 11, 1961, before the Supreme Court in Jerusalem. Prosecutors presented detailed evidence of Eichmann's role in organizing mass deportations to extermination camps. Survivors provided harrowing testimonies that were broadcast worldwide, transforming public understanding of the Holocaust. Eichmann's defense centered on obeying orders, sparking legal debates on personal responsibility under totalitarian systems. The proceedings set important precedents for prosecuting genocide and crimes against humanity in international law. Eichmann was convicted on December 15 and executed in 1962, leaving a lasting legacy on global human rights jurisprudence.
1961
Adolf Eichmann
Jerusalem
1964day.year
Brazilian Marshal Humberto de Alencar Castelo Branco is elected president by the National Congress.
Following the 1964 military coup, Marshal Humberto de Alencar Castelo Branco was elected president by Brazil’s National Congress, initiating a military regime that lasted two decades.
After the overthrow of President João Goulart on March 31, 1964, Brazil's military leaders sought to legitimize the new power structure. On April 11, the National Congress elected General Castelo Branco as president under a provisional constitution. His administration enacted Institutional Act Number One, which curtailed civil liberties and suspended political opposition. Castelo Branco focused on stabilizing the economy, implementing fiscal policies to control inflation and attract foreign investment. Despite his authoritarian measures, he avoided large-scale political purges, setting a different tone from other regional dictatorships. His presidency laid the groundwork for a series of military governments that governed Brazil until 1985. Castelo Branco's election underscored the complex relationship between military authority and constitutional processes during the Cold War.
1964
Humberto de Alencar Castelo Branco
National Congress