330day.year
Constantine the Great dedicates the much-expanded and rebuilt city of Byzantium, changing its name to New Rome and declaring it the new capital of the Eastern Roman Empire.
Emperor Constantine the Great dedicated Byzantium as New Rome, making it the capital of the Eastern Roman Empire.
On May 11, 330, Emperor Constantine the Great formally dedicated the newly expanded city of Byzantium.
He renamed it Nova Roma (New Rome) and established it as the capital of the Eastern Roman Empire.
This strategic move shifted the imperial center eastward, reflecting the growing importance of the Greek-speaking provinces.
The city's fortifications, public buildings, and infrastructure were extensively rebuilt and adorned with imperial monuments.
Over centuries, New Rome would evolve into Constantinople, becoming a cultural and economic hub of medieval Europe.
The foundation laid by Constantine shaped the Byzantine Empire's identity and legacy.
330
Constantine the Great
Byzantium
973day.year
In the first coronation ceremony ever held for an English monarch, Edgar the Peaceful is crowned King of England, having ruled since 959 AD. His wife, Ælfthryth, is crowned queen, the first recorded coronation for a Queen of England.
Edgar the Peaceful and his wife Ælfthryth became the first English king and queen to undergo formal coronation ceremonies.
On May 11, 973, Edgar the Peaceful was anointed and crowned at Bath, marking the first recorded coronation ceremony for an English monarch.
His wife, Ælfthryth, was also crowned queen, becoming the first consort to receive a formal coronation in England.
Prior to this event, kings had been acclaimed by the nobility without ceremonial rites.
The grand ceremony involved elaborate rituals of anointment, regalia, and oaths, reflecting the growing authority of the monarchy.
Edgar’s reign is noted for internal stability and the consolidation of his rule over the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms.
This pioneering coronation set a lasting precedent for future investiture ceremonies in England.
973
Edgar the Peaceful
King of England
Ælfthryth
1068day.year
Matilda of Flanders, wife of William the Conqueror, is crowned Queen of England.
Matilda of Flanders, wife of William the Conqueror, was crowned Queen of England in 1068, reinforcing Norman authority.
On May 11, 1068, Matilda of Flanders was crowned Queen of England at Westminster Abbey.
Her coronation solidified the Norman dynasty's legitimacy after the conquest of 1066.
Matilda’s regal presence and patronage of religious institutions enhanced the prestige of the royal court.
She played an active role in governance and occasionally acted as regent during William's absences.
The queen's influence extended to cultural and architectural developments, including support for Westminster Abbey.
Matilda's coronation marked a key moment in the establishment of Norman rule over England.
1068
Matilda of Flanders
William the Conqueror
Queen of England
1258day.year
Louis IX of France and James I of Aragon sign the Treaty of Corbeil, renouncing claims of feudal overlordship in one another's territories and separating the House of Barcelona from the politics of France.
Louis IX of France and James I of Aragon signed the Treaty of Corbeil in 1258, redefining their realms' boundaries.
On May 11, 1258, King Louis IX of France and King James I of Aragon concluded the Treaty of Corbeil.
The agreement renounced mutual feudal overlordship, clearly defining territorial limits between France and Aragon.
It prevented the House of Barcelona from further involvement in French politics and secured peace in the region.
The treaty reflected the era’s strategic diplomacy and shifting alliances among medieval Christian kingdoms.
By resolving longstanding disputes, it fostered stability in southwestern Europe.
The accord had lasting effects on the political landscape of the region.
1258
Louis IX of France
James I of Aragon
Treaty of Corbeil
House of Barcelona
1812day.year
Prime Minister Spencer Perceval is assassinated by John Bellingham in the lobby of the British House of Commons.
British Prime Minister Spencer Perceval was assassinated in 1812, becoming the only PM to be killed in office.
On May 11, 1812, Spencer Perceval was fatally shot by John Bellingham in the lobby of the House of Commons.
Perceval remains the only British prime minister to have been assassinated while serving in office.
The attack stunned Parliament and led to heightened security measures within government buildings.
Bellingham cited personal grievances over a failed business venture in Russia as his motive.
Perceval’s death occurred against the backdrop of the Napoleonic Wars and domestic financial distress.
The assassination highlighted vulnerabilities in early 19th-century British politics.
1812
Spencer Perceval
assassinated
John Bellingham
1889day.year
An attack upon a U.S. Army paymaster and escort results in the theft of over $28,000 and the award of two Medals of Honor.
On May 11, 1889, armed assailants ambushed a U.S. Army paymaster and his escort, making off with over $28,000. Two soldiers were later awarded the Medal of Honor for their courageous defense during the attack.
In 1889, a group of bandits targeted the U.S. Army paymaster's stagecoach while it traveled through frontier territory. At the time, paymasters carried large sums of cash to pay soldiers stationed at remote outposts. The assailants overwhelmed the escort guard and escaped with more than $28,000—a fortune in that era. Despite the sudden ambush, two soldiers displayed exceptional bravery in protecting their comrades and the government payroll. Their valor earned them the nation's highest military honor and widespread acclaim. The incident exposed vulnerabilities in military transport and prompted stricter security protocols for future fund transfers.
1889
attack upon a U.S. Army paymaster and escort
Medals of Honor
1919day.year
Uruguay becomes a signatory to the Buenos Aires copyright treaty.
On May 11, 1919, Uruguay joined the Buenos Aires copyright treaty, strengthening international protections for creative works. This move signaled its commitment to safeguarding authors' rights across borders.
The Buenos Aires copyright treaty, initially opened for signatures in 1910, aimed to harmonize intellectual property laws among Latin American nations. Uruguay's accession on May 11, 1919, marked a significant step toward regional cultural cooperation. By signing, Uruguay agreed to extend copyright protections to works published in other treaty member countries. This commitment helped Uruguayan authors secure recognition and royalties abroad. The treaty also established reciprocal enforcement mechanisms for member states, reducing piracy and unauthorized reproductions. Uruguay's participation laid important groundwork for later global agreements on intellectual property.
1919
Uruguay
Buenos Aires
copyright
treaty
1973day.year
Citing government misconduct, Daniel Ellsberg's charges for his involvement in releasing the Pentagon Papers to The New York Times are dismissed.
On May 11, 1973, charges against Daniel Ellsberg for leaking the Pentagon Papers were dropped due to government misconduct. The ruling highlighted executive overreach during the Vietnam War era.
Daniel Ellsberg, a former Defense Department analyst, leaked the secret Pentagon Papers to the press in 1971, exposing U.S. decision-making during the Vietnam War. Facing charges under the Espionage Act, Ellsberg’s trial began amid intense public scrutiny. On May 11, 1973, Judge William Byrne Jr. dismissed all counts after uncovering evidence of illegal wiretaps and break-ins conducted by presidential aides. The dismissal underscored abuses of power and raised critical questions about press freedom and government transparency. Ellsberg’s case became a landmark in whistleblower history, inspiring future reforms to protect those who expose official wrongdoing. The Pentagon Papers affair remains a powerful example of the tension between national security and the public’s right to know.
1973
Pentagon Papers
1987day.year
Klaus Barbie goes on trial in Lyon for war crimes committed during World War II.
On May 11, 1987, former Gestapo officer Klaus Barbie, known as the “Butcher of Lyon,” stood trial in France for World War II war crimes. The proceeding was a landmark in post-war justice efforts.
Klaus Barbie, notorious for his brutal leadership of the Gestapo in Lyon, was extradited from Bolivia and brought to France in 1983. His trial opened on May 11, 1987, amidst intense media attention and public outrage. Prosecutors detailed his involvement in the torture of resistance fighters and the deportation of Jews to Nazi concentration camps. Survivors and witnesses gave harrowing testimonies about the fear he instilled and the atrocities he ordered. After a month-long trial, Barbie was convicted of crimes against humanity and sentenced to life imprisonment. The proceedings represented one of the first major European war crimes trials since Nuremberg and underscored the enduring pursuit of justice for Holocaust victims.
1987
Klaus Barbie
Lyon
World War II
2010day.year
David Cameron takes office as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom as the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats form the country's first coalition government since the Second World War.
David Cameron became UK Prime Minister leading the first coalition government since World War II.
On May 11, 2010, David Cameron was appointed Prime Minister of the United Kingdom after a hung parliament.
His Conservative Party formed a historic coalition with Nick Clegg’s Liberal Democrats.
It was Britain’s first peacetime coalition government since 1945.
The administration enacted austerity measures to reduce the budget deficit.
Key reforms targeted welfare, education, and electoral processes.
The power-sharing arrangement tested the ability of two parties to compromise on policy.
Cameron’s tenure would shape the nation’s course toward the Brexit referendum.
2010
David Cameron
Prime Minister of the United Kingdom
Conservatives
Liberal Democrats
the country's first coalition government since the Second World War
2011day.year
The Istanbul Convention is signed in Istanbul, Turkey.
The Istanbul Convention, a major treaty to combat violence against women, was signed in Turkey.
On May 11, 2011, the Council of Europe’s landmark treaty on preventing and combating violence against women was opened for signature in Istanbul.
Known as the Istanbul Convention, it set comprehensive legal standards to protect victims and prosecute offenders.
The agreement addressed domestic abuse, sexual violence, psychological harm, and stalking.
Signatory states committed to legal reforms, prevention programs, and support services for survivors.
The convention represented a major step toward gender equality and human rights in Europe.
Ratification debates continue in several countries, reflecting its social and political impact.
The treaty remains a cornerstone in global efforts to end violence against women.
Istanbul Convention
Istanbul