December 11

After its 1911 theft from the Louvre, Leonardo da Vinci's Mona Lisa was found on December 11, 1913, in Florence, Italy. Italian handyman Vincenzo Peruggia, the painting's thief, was arrested shortly after its discovery. Peruggia claimed patriotic motives, believing the masterpiece belonged in Italy. Authorities temporarily displayed the recovered artwork to celebrate its return to Italian soil. The high-profile theft and recovery captured global attention and increased the Mona Lisa's fame. The incident highlighted the need for enhanced security measures in museums worldwide. Today, the Mona Lisa remains one of the most visited and studied works of art in history.

Originally released in Finland earlier in 2009, Angry Birds saw its international debut on the iOS platform on December 11, 2009. Developed by Rovio Entertainment, the physics-based game challenged players to catapult stylized birds at structures housing green pigs. Its simple yet addictive gameplay and charming design quickly captured audiences around the world. Angry Birds became a cultural icon, spawning merchandise, spin-offs, and feature films. The app dominated download charts and demonstrated the commercial potential of mobile gaming. Its success helped establish app stores as viable marketplaces for indie developers. Angry Birds paved the way for a new era in casual gaming.