1837day.year
The Broad Street Riot occurs in Boston, fueled by ethnic tensions between Yankees and Irish.
Ethnic tensions in Boston erupt into the Broad Street Riot as violence flares between Yankees and Irish immigrants.
The Broad Street Riot broke out on June 11, 1837, in Boston’s North End neighborhood.
Clashes between Yankee residents and Irish immigrants escalated into a street battle.
Armed with clubs and stones, rioters roamed Broad Street, causing widespread property damage.
Militia and police were called in to restore order after hours of violence.
The riot highlighted growing nativist sentiments and struggles over jobs, religion, and political power.
It marked one of the first major ethnic confrontations in America’s urban history.
1837
Broad Street Riot
Boston
Yankees
Irish
1956day.year
Start of Gal Oya riots, the first reported ethnic riots that target minority Sri Lankan Tamils in the Eastern Province. The total number of deaths is reportedly 150.
The Gal Oya riots erupted on June 11, 1956, marking the first major ethnic violence against Sri Lankan Tamils in the Eastern Province.
Tensions over land settlements in the Gal Oya valley led to violent clashes on June 11, 1956, between Sinhalese settlers and Tamil villagers. The unrest rapidly escalated into wide-scale riots targeting the Tamil minority. Reports estimate around 150 people lost their lives and hundreds more were injured. Homes and places of worship were attacked, deepening communal rifts. The government's response drew criticism for its handling of the crisis and failure to protect vulnerable communities. The Gal Oya riots foreshadowed decades of ethnic conflict in Sri Lanka, shaping the island nation’s modern history.
1956
Gal Oya riots
Sri Lankan Tamils
1963day.year
Buddhist monk Thích Quảng Đức burns himself with gasoline in a busy Saigon intersection to protest the lack of religious freedom in South Vietnam.
On June 11, 1963, Buddhist monk Thích Quảng Đức self-immolated in Saigon to protest religious persecution in South Vietnam.
Thích Quảng Đức sat in the middle of a busy Saigon intersection and covered himself in gasoline on June 11, 1963. He then struck a match, transforming into a human torch in a peaceful yet shocking protest. The monk’s calm demeanor amid the flames mesmerized onlookers and became an iconic image of resistance. His act drew international attention to the Ngo Dinh Diem regime’s oppression of Buddhists. Photographs of his self-immolation galvanized global outrage and increased pressure on the South Vietnamese government to reform. Quảng Đức’s sacrifice is remembered as a powerful statement for human rights and religious freedom.
Thích Quảng Đức
burns himself
gasoline
Saigon
South Vietnam
1970day.year
After being appointed on May 15, Anna Mae Hays and Elizabeth P. Hoisington officially receive their ranks as U.S. Army general officers, becoming the first women to do so.
On June 11, 1970, Anna Mae Hays and Elizabeth P. Hoisington became the first female generals in the U.S. Army.
Following their appointments on May 15, Anna Mae Hays and Elizabeth P. Hoisington officially received their ranks as brigadier generals on June 11, 1970. Their promotions broke gender barriers in the U.S. Army and opened doors for women in military leadership. Hays, a nurse officer, had served in World War II and Korea, advocating for military healthcare improvements. Hoisington, also a nurse, contributed to army medical policy and personnel welfare. Their achievements inspired future generations of women in the armed forces. These historic advancements underscored the growing role of women in national defense and public service.
1970
May 15
Anna Mae Hays
Elizabeth P. Hoisington
general officers
1971day.year
The U.S. Government forcibly removes the last holdouts to the Native American Occupation of Alcatraz, ending 19 months of control.
The US government ended the 19-month Native American occupation of Alcatraz by forcibly removing the last activists.
On November 20, 1969, Native American activists known as Indians of All Tribes occupied Alcatraz Island to protest federal treatment of Indigenous peoples. Over 19 months, they highlighted issues of broken treaties, poverty, and lack of federal support. On June 11, 1971, federal agents removed the remaining holdouts under a court order, ending the occupation without major injuries. The protest drew national attention to Native American rights and inspired the Red Power movement. Its legacy influenced future policy discussions and raised public awareness about Indigenous struggles in the United States.
1971
Native American
Occupation of Alcatraz
1978day.year
Altaf Hussain founds the student political movement All Pakistan Muhajir Students Organisation (APMSO) in Karachi University.
Altaf Hussain launches the Muhajir student movement at Karachi University, laying the foundation for a new political force in Pakistan.
On June 11, 1978, political activist Altaf Hussain founded the All Pakistan Muhajir Students Organisation (APMSO) at Karachi University to represent Urdu-speaking migrants facing social and economic challenges. APMSO sought to address perceived injustices, lack of representation, and resource allocation for the Muhajir community. The group's activities and organisation strategies set the stage for the later formation of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM), which became a significant actor in Sindh province politics. Hussain's leadership style combined student activism with ethnic identity mobilization, influencing Pakistan's urban political landscape. Debates over ethnic rights, urban governance, and national unity emerged from this movement and continue to shape Pakistani politics.
1978
Altaf Hussain
All Pakistan Muhajir Students Organisation
Karachi University
1987day.year
Diane Abbott, Paul Boateng and Bernie Grant are elected as the first black MPs in Great Britain.
Diane Abbott, Paul Boateng, and Bernie Grant make history as the first black MPs elected to the UK Parliament.
On June 11, 1987, the United Kingdom saw a historic breakthrough in representation when Diane Abbott (Hackney North and Stoke Newington), Paul Boateng (Vauxhall), and Bernie Grant (Tottenham) were elected to the House of Commons. Abbott became the first black woman MP, while Boateng and Grant became the first black men to win seats in Parliament. Their victories signaled a growing diversification of British politics and brought new voices to debates on racial equality, social justice, and community relations. These pioneering MPs used their platforms to advocate for marginalized communities and challenge institutional biases. Their success inspired future generations of politicians from underrepresented backgrounds and reshaped the political landscape of modern Britain.
1987
Diane Abbott
Paul Boateng
Bernie Grant
2008day.year
Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper makes a historic official apology to Canada's First Nations in regard to abuses at a Canadian Indian residential school.
PM Stephen Harper issues a formal apology in Parliament for the atrocities committed in Canada's Indian residential schools.
On June 11, 2008, Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper delivered a landmark apology in the House of Commons to First Nations, Inuit, and Métis people for the residential school system's policies of forced assimilation. He acknowledged the physical, emotional, and cultural abuses suffered by generations of Indigenous children removed from their families. The apology was part of broader Truth and Reconciliation Commission efforts to confront historical injustices and promote healing. Harper’s statement included commitments to support language preservation, cultural revitalization, and compensation for survivors. While the speech was widely seen as a critical step toward reconciliation, Indigenous leaders and communities continued to call for tangible actions on land rights, self-governance, and systemic change. The event marked a turning point in Canada's journey toward acknowledging and addressing its colonial legacy.
2008
Canadian Prime Minister
Stephen Harper
First Nations
Canadian Indian residential school