2492 BC
Traditional date of the defeat of Bel by Hayk, progenitor and founder of the Armenian nation.
According to legend, Hayk, the patriarch of the Armenian nation, defeats the Babylonian ruler Bel, marking the founding of Armenia.
August 11th, 2492 BC is traditionally celebrated as the day when Hayk, a legendary forefather of the Armenians, overcame the tyrant Bel in battle. According to Armenian mythology, Hayk led his people to freedom after rejecting Bel’s oppressive rule. The confrontation is said to have taken place at the foot of Mount Ararat, a site later central to Armenian identity. Hayk’s victory established him as a symbol of independence and national pride. This myth has been recounted in medieval chronicles and epic poetry through the centuries. It forms a foundational narrative for Armenian statehood and cultural heritage. The story of Hayk and Bel continues to inspire national celebrations and scholarly research into ancient Armenian traditions.
2492 BC
Bel
Hayk
Armenian
106day.year
The south-western part of Dacia (modern Romania) becomes a Roman province: Roman Dacia.
Emperor Trajan formally annexes southwestern Dacia as the Roman province of Dacia, extending Rome’s frontier into modern Romania.
On August 11th, 106 AD, Emperor Trajan formally incorporated the southwestern region of Dacia into the Roman Empire, creating the province of Roman Dacia. This followed Trajan’s successful campaigns in the Dacian Wars, which concluded with the defeat of the Dacian king Decebalus. The new province served as a strategic military zone and a source of rich mineral resources, including gold and silver. Roman legions established forts, roads, and settlements that facilitated Romanization and economic integration. Towns like Sarmizegetusa Regia were transformed by Roman urban planning and architecture. The frontier of Roman Dacia would remain a key defense line along the Danube for over a century. Today, archaeological remnants attest to the region’s importance in Roman imperial history.
106
Dacia
Romania
Roman province
Roman Dacia
117day.year
Hadrian is proclaimed Roman emperor, two days after Trajan's death.
Following Trajan’s death, Hadrian is proclaimed Roman emperor, initiating a reign focused on consolidation and cultural projects.
On August 11th, 117 AD, Hadrian, then a prominent general and Trajan’s close successor, was officially proclaimed emperor of Rome two days after Trajan’s death. Unlike his predecessor’s expansionist policies, Hadrian focused on consolidating and organizing the empire’s vast territories. He toured the provinces, reformed the army, and commissioned architectural marvels such as Hadrian’s Wall in Britain. His reign is remembered for legal codifications, patronage of the arts, and an emphasis on cultural exchange across diverse regions. Hadrian’s rule also saw diplomatic efforts to maintain peace, including withdrawal from some distant conquests. The emperor’s philosophical interests and personal leadership style left a lasting impact on imperial governance. His legacy endures in monuments and in the study of Roman law and architecture.
117
Hadrian
Roman emperor
Trajan
355day.year
Claudius Silvanus, accused of treason, proclaims himself Roman Emperor against Constantius II.
General Claudius Silvanus declares himself Roman Emperor in Gaul amid accusations of treason, challenging Constantius II.
On August 11th, 355 AD, Claudius Silvanus, a distinguished Roman general stationed in Gaul, was accused of treason and responded by proclaiming himself emperor against Constantius II. His rebellion reflected deep divisions within the Roman military and political elite during the Constantinian dynasty. Silvanus gained the support of several legions and local Gallic leaders, posing a serious threat to the central authority. In response, Constantius sent trusted envoys to negotiate peace but ultimately arranged Silvanus’s assassination. The brief usurpation ended within weeks, restoring imperial control in the Rhine frontier. This episode underscored the volatility of succession and the precarious balance between military commanders and the emperor. It remains a notable example of internal strife in late Roman imperial history.
355
Claudius Silvanus
Roman Emperor
Constantius II
1492day.year
Rodrigo de Borja is elected as Head of the Catholic Church, taking the name Pope Alexander VI.
Rodrigo de Borja is elected Pope Alexander VI, marking the start of a controversial and politically powerful papacy.
On August 11, 1492, Spanish cardinal Rodrigo de Borja was elected as head of the Catholic Church, adopting the name Pope Alexander VI.
He was the first Spanish pope in centuries, known for his assertive leadership and worldly ambitions.
Alexander VI’s papacy was marked by intense political maneuvering and nepotism, elevating the Borgia family to unprecedented influence.
His patronage of the arts fueled the Italian Renaissance but also drew criticism for moral lapses within the Vatican.
Amid the Italian Wars, he played a central role in European diplomacy and power struggles.
His complex legacy continues to fascinate historians and art scholars alike.
1492
Pope Alexander VI
1786day.year
Captain Francis Light establishes the British colony of Penang in Malaysia.
Captain Francis Light founds the British settlement of George Town on Penang Island, launching colonial rule in Malaysia.
On August 11, 1786, Captain Francis Light of the British East India Company landed on Penang Island (Pulau Pinang) and established the settlement of George Town.
He negotiated with the Sultan of Kedah for control of the island, promising protection against Siamese and Burmese threats.
Penang rapidly became a strategic trading hub in the Strait of Malacca, attracting merchants from across Asia and Europe.
The colony later formed part of the Straits Settlements, strengthening British influence in Southeast Asia.
Under Light’s governance, George Town evolved into a multicultural port city fostering commerce and cultural exchange.
Penang’s founding marked a defining moment in the expansion of British colonial power and the regional spice trade.
1786
Francis Light
Penang
Malaysia
1804day.year
Francis II assumes the title of first Emperor of Austria.
Holy Roman Emperor Francis II proclaims himself Emperor Francis I of Austria, establishing the Austrian Empire.
On August 11, 1804, Francis II of the Holy Roman Empire adopted the new title of Emperor Francis I of Austria amid the rise of Napoleon Bonaparte.
This proclamation created the Austrian Empire, safeguarding Habsburg authority as the Holy Roman Empire waned.
By forming a hereditary monarchy under an Austrian crown, Francis secured his dynasty’s future outside the German confederation.
Two years later, facing Napoleon’s victories, he dissolved the Holy Roman Empire entirely in 1806.
Francis I’s reign over Austria shaped Central European politics throughout the 19th century.
His transformation from medieval emperor to modern monarch epitomized the era’s seismic shift in statehood and sovereignty.
1804
Francis II
Emperor of Austria
1813day.year
In Colombia, Juan del Corral declares the independence of Antioquia.
Juan del Corral proclaims the free state of Antioquia, advancing Colombia’s independence movement.
On August 11, 1813, during Latin America’s wars of independence, leader Juan del Corral declared Antioquia free from Spanish rule.
The declaration transformed the region into an autonomous province within the emerging republic in New Granada.
Del Corral’s move followed patriotic victories led by generals such as Francisco Antón and bolstered local governance.
Antioquia’s autonomy contributed to the consolidation of Gran Colombia alongside Bolívar’s campaigns.
Despite royalist counterattacks, the province maintained its self-governance and republican ideals.
The proclamation marked a key milestone in Colombia’s transition from colony to independent nation.
1813
Colombia
Antioquia
1919day.year
Germany's Weimar Constitution is signed into law.
Germany signs the Weimar Constitution into law, founding the Weimar Republic and its first democratic framework.
On August 11, 1919, President Friedrich Ebert signed the Weimar Constitution, establishing Germany's first parliamentary democracy. The new constitution introduced universal suffrage, fundamental rights, and a federal structure. It marked the end of imperial rule following World War I and the abdication of Kaiser Wilhelm II. Political parties of the left and right competed under this liberal framework, though the system faced severe economic and social challenges. Despite its progressive ideals, the republic would struggle with hyperinflation and political extremism. The Weimar Constitution remained in effect until 1933 and influenced modern German governance after World War II.
1919
Weimar Constitution
1920day.year
The Latvian–Soviet Peace Treaty, which relinquished Russia's authority and pretenses to Latvia, is signed, ending the Latvian War of Independence.
Latvia and Soviet Russia sign a peace treaty, formally ending the Latvian War of Independence and recognizing Latvian sovereignty.
On August 11, 1920, representatives of Latvia and Soviet Russia signed the Latvian–Soviet Peace Treaty in Riga. Under the terms, Russia renounced any claim to Latvian territory and sovereignty, formally ending military hostilities. The treaty followed sustained fighting since 1918, when Latvia declared independence amid the Russian Civil War. International recognition soon followed, paving the way for Latvia to join the League of Nations in 1921. The accord ensured Latvia’s borders and secured peace in the Baltic region for the next two decades. It stands as a landmark in Latvian statehood and the broader reshaping of Eastern Europe after World War I.
Latvian–Soviet Peace Treaty
Russia
Latvia
Latvian War of Independence
1934day.year
The first civilian prisoners arrive at the Federal prison on Alcatraz Island.
The first civilian prisoners arrive at the newly established Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary on 'The Rock' in San Francisco Bay.
On August 11, 1934, Alcatraz Island received its first civilian inmates, marking the start of operations at the Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary. Located on an isolated island in San Francisco Bay, the prison was designed to hold America's most notorious criminals under tight security. Known as 'The Rock,' Alcatraz gained a fearsome reputation for its harsh conditions and escape-proof features. Inmates such as Al Capone and George 'Machine Gun' Kelly would later call it home. The penitentiary aimed to deter crime through strict discipline and isolation. Alcatraz remained in operation until 1963, later becoming a symbol of American penal history and a popular tourist destination.
1934
Federal prison
Alcatraz Island
1952day.year
Hussein bin Talal is proclaimed King of Jordan.
Hussein bin Talal is proclaimed King of Jordan, beginning a reign that would last almost five decades.
On August 11, 1952, following the assassination of his great-uncle King Abdullah I, 17-year-old Hussein bin Talal ascended the throne of Jordan. Educated in Britain, he inherited a kingdom facing regional tensions and domestic challenges. Over his 47-year reign, King Hussein navigated conflicts such as the Arab-Israeli wars, championed modernization, and fostered international alliances. He played a central role in Middle East diplomacy, including the 1994 peace treaty with Israel. His leadership style combined traditional monarchy with measured reforms, earning him respect on the world stage. Hussein's reign ended with his death in 1999, leaving a lasting legacy on Jordan and the region.
1952
Hussein bin Talal
Jordan