October 11

The University of Sydney was officially inaugurated on 11 October 1852 in Sydney, marking the opening of Australia's first university. Founded by an act of the New South Wales Legislative Council, it was modeled after the ancient universities of Oxford and Cambridge. The inauguration ceremony symbolized a new era of higher education in the Australian colonies. From its earliest faculties of law, medicine, and arts, the university fostered advanced academic research and scholarship. Over time, it expanded to include multiple campuses, diverse faculties, and a vibrant student community. Today, it stands as a globally recognized institution, celebrating more than 170 years of innovation and discovery.

On October 11, 1890, the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) was founded in Washington, D.C. The organization brought together women descended from individuals who supported the American Revolution. Its mission focused on historic preservation, education, and patriotism. Early members advocated for the preservation of landmarks and memorials associated with the nation's founding. The DAR also established scholarships and educational programs to support youth. Over time, it grew into a nationwide society with chapters in every U.S. state. The DAR continues to promote historical awareness and civic engagement more than a century later.

Convoked by Pope John XXIII to address the challenges of modern life, the Second Vatican Council opened on October 11, 1962, in St. Peter’s Basilica. Over 2,000 bishops and theologians from around the world convened to discuss liturgical reform, ecumenism, and the Church’s role in today’s society. The council introduced revolutionary changes such as celebrating Mass in local languages and encouraging interfaith dialogue. It emphasized the concept of the Church as the People of God and promoted increased lay participation in Church affairs. Debates during the initial sessions set the stage for progressive reforms balancing tradition with renewal. Vatican II’s decrees reshaped Catholic worship practices, theological perspectives, and global relationships, leaving an enduring legacy on the modern Church.

On October 11, 1987, the AIDS Memorial Quilt made its debut during the Second National March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights. Comprising thousands of individual panels, each square commemorated a person who had died from AIDS. Organized by activists from the NAMES Project Foundation, the display sought to humanize the epidemic and demand government action. Stretching across the National Mall, the Quilt became a powerful symbol of community and loss in the face of the AIDS crisis. Its public unveiling galvanized support for funding research, treatment, and anti-discrimination efforts across the United States.

On October 11, 1991, law professor Anita Hill took the witness stand during Clarence Thomas’s Supreme Court confirmation hearings. She detailed instances of sexual harassment she claimed to have experienced while working under Thomas at federal agencies. Her televised testimony captivated the nation and sparked a widespread dialogue on workplace harassment and gender dynamics. The hearings highlighted the challenges women faced in speaking out and led to changes in Senate hearing procedures. Hill’s bravery is credited with igniting the modern movement to address sexual harassment and influence law and policy reforms.