December 11

Events - Wars & Conflicts

1282day.year

Battle of Orewin Bridge: Llywelyn ap Gruffudd, the last native Prince of Wales, is killed at Cilmeri near Builth Wells in mid-Wales.

In 1282, the native Prince of Wales, Llywelyn ap Gruffudd, was slain at the Battle of Orewin Bridge, marking the end of Welsh independence.
Edward I of England’s push to subdue Wales culminated on December 11, 1282, when Llywelyn ap Gruffudd’s forces were ambushed at Orewin Bridge near Cilmeri. Llywelyn, the last autonomous ruler of Gwynedd, was killed in the ambush. His death extinguished the leadership of native Welsh princes and paved the way for Edward’s conquest. The battle’s outcome led to the Statute of Rhuddlan in 1284, which incorporated Wales into the English legal and administrative system.
1282 Battle of Orewin Bridge Llywelyn ap Gruffudd Prince of Wales Cilmeri Builth Wells mid-Wales
1602day.year

A surprise attack by forces under the command of Charles Emmanuel I, Duke of Savoy, and his brother-in-law, Philip III of Spain, is repelled by the citizens of Geneva. (Commemorated annually by the Fête de l'Escalade.)

In 1602, citizens of Geneva repelled a surprise attack by Savoyard and Spanish forces, an event now celebrated as the Fête de l'Escalade.
On the night of December 11–12, 1602, troops sent by Charles Emmanuel I of Savoy and Philip III of Spain attempted to scale Geneva’s walls in a bid to regain control of the rebellious city. Alarmed residents and watchmen thwarted the assault by pouring boiling soup on the invaders. The failure preserved Geneva’s independence and Calvinist identity. Today, the annual Fête de l’Escalade commemorates the victory with parades, chocolate cauldrons, and historical reenactments, celebrating civic unity and resilience.
1602 Charles Emmanuel I, Duke of Savoy Philip III of Spain Geneva Fête de l'Escalade
1868day.year

Paraguayan War: Brazilian troops defeat the Paraguayan Army at the Battle of Avay.

In the Paraguayan War, Brazilian forces secure a decisive victory over Paraguay at the Battle of Avay in 1868.
On December 11, 1868, Brazilian and allied troops defeated the Paraguayan Army at the Battle of Avay during the War of the Triple Alliance. The engagement took place in dense forests along the Avay stream in central Paraguay. Brazilian forces, commanded by the Marquis of Caxias, outflanked entrenched Paraguayan positions. Allied use of coordinated infantry and artillery fire inflicted severe losses on Paraguayan defenders. This victory further weakened President Francisco Solano López's forces in the war's final phase. The battle underscored the Allies' growing dominance and strategic coordination. The conflict, one of South America's bloodiest, reshaped the region's political landscape for decades.
1868 Paraguayan War Brazilian troops Paraguayan Army Battle of Avay
1899day.year

Second Boer War: In the Battle of Magersfontein the Boers commanded by general Piet Cronjé inflict a defeat on the forces of the British Empire commanded by Lord Methuen trying to relieve the Siege of Kimberley.

Boer forces under General Piet Cronjé defeat British troops at Magersfontein during the Second Boer War in 1899.
On December 11, 1899, Boer defenders led by General Piet Cronjé halted British relief efforts at the Battle of Magersfontein. Confronted by concealed trench lines, Lord Methuen's British column suffered heavy losses in frontal assaults. The use of accurate rifle fire by Boer marksmen demonstrated the effectiveness of modern defensive tactics. The defeat delayed relief for the besieged city of Kimberley and stunned the British public. Magersfontein's outcome prompted a reevaluation of British military strategy in colonial conflicts. The battle became notorious for its high casualty rates and the harsh South African terrain. It remains a key example of the challenges faced by conventional forces against irregular defenders.
1899 Second Boer War Battle of Magersfontein Boers Piet Cronjé British Empire Lord Methuen Siege of Kimberley
1917day.year

World War I: British General Edmund Allenby enters Jerusalem on foot and declares martial law.

During WWI, British General Edmund Allenby heroically entered Jerusalem on foot in 1917, marking a pivotal moment and imposing martial law in the ancient city.
In December 1917, British forces led by Edmund Allenby reached Jerusalem after a successful campaign against Ottoman rule. Allenby's decision to enter the city on foot was a gesture of respect for its religious significance. Upon arrival, he declared martial law to restore order and secure control. The occupation ended four centuries of Ottoman governance and reshaped the post-war political landscape of the Middle East. This moment was widely covered in international press, symbolizing the shifting balance of power in the region. Allenby's actions influenced future mandates and the eventual establishment of new national borders.
1917 World War I Edmund Allenby Jerusalem martial law
1920day.year

Irish War of Independence: In retaliation for a recent IRA ambush, British forces burn and loot numerous buildings in Cork city. Many civilians report being beaten, shot at, robbed and verbally abused by British forces.

During the Irish War of Independence, British forces retaliated against an IRA ambush in 1920 by burning and looting buildings in Cork, inflicting violence on civilians.
On December 11, 1920, in retaliation for a recent IRA ambush, British troops entered Cork city and set fire to homes, shops, and warehouses. Eyewitnesses reported civilians being beaten, shot at, robbed, and verbally abused throughout the operation. The harsh measures aimed to suppress Irish republican activities but fueled outrage and international criticism. The destruction devastated local businesses and deepened anti-British sentiment. This event became emblematic of the brutal tactics used during the conflict. It contributed to growing support for Irish independence and intensified the struggle that would ultimately lead to the Anglo-Irish Treaty of 1921.
1920 Irish War of Independence IRA burn and loot numerous buildings in Cork city
1927day.year

Guangzhou Uprising: Communist Red Guards launch an uprising in Guangzhou, China, taking over most of the city and announcing the formation of a Guangzhou Soviet.

In December 1927, Communist Red Guards launched the Guangzhou Uprising, briefly seizing control of the city and proclaiming the formation of a Guangzhou Soviet.
On December 11, 1927, the Communist Party of China directed Red Guard units to rise against the Kuomintang in Guangzhou. The insurgents quickly took control of key districts and government buildings, declaring the establishment of a Guangzhou Soviet. The uprising was one of several attempts to ignite a nationwide workers' and peasants' revolution. Despite early successes, the rebellion was crushed within days by better-equipped Nationalist forces. Thousands of participants were killed or arrested, and the event deepened mistrust between Communist and Nationalist factions. It marked a significant moment in the early Chinese Civil War and foreshadowed future revolutionary strategies.
1927 Guangzhou Uprising Communist Red Guards Guangzhou Soviet
1937day.year

Second Italo-Ethiopian War: Italy leaves the League of Nations.

Italy withdrew from the League of Nations in 1937 during the Second Italo-Ethiopian War, rejecting international censure for its aggression.
On December 11, 1937, Benito Mussolini's government announced Italy's formal exit from the League of Nations following widespread condemnation and economic sanctions over the invasion of Ethiopia. The departure underscored the failure of collective security mechanisms to check aggressive expansion by fascist powers. It emboldened Italy's alliance with Germany and Spain, further destabilizing Europe. Ethiopia's Emperor Haile Selassie had appealed for international intervention, but the League's impotence was laid bare. Italy's withdrawal signaled a shift toward confrontational diplomacy and foreshadowed the alliances of World War II. The event remains a case study in the limitations of interwar peace efforts.
1937 Second Italo-Ethiopian War Italy League of Nations
1941day.year

World War II: Germany and Italy declare war on the United States, following the Americans' declaration of war on the Empire of Japan in the wake of the attack on Pearl Harbor. The United States, in turn, declares war on them.

On December 11, 1941, Germany and Italy declared war on the United States, and the U.S. reciprocated, escalating World War II into a truly global conflict.
Following the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, President Franklin D. Roosevelt asked Congress to declare war on Japan, which was approved on December 8. Three days later, on December 11, Germany and Italy honored their alliance with Japan by declaring war on the United States. The United States Congress swiftly responded, declaring war on Germany and Italy the same day. This exchange of declarations marked the full-scale entry of the U.S. into the European theater. It united the Allies across multiple continents and solidified the global scale of World War II. Mobilization for war production and military recruitment accelerated dramatically in the ensuing months.
1941 World War II Germany Empire of Japan attack on Pearl Harbor
1941day.year

World War II: Poland declares war on the Empire of Japan.

Also on December 11, 1941, the Polish government-in-exile declared war on Japan, aligning Poland with the Allies in World War II.
On the same day that the Axis powers expanded the war against the United States, the Polish government-in-exile in London declared war on the Empire of Japan. Although Poland had been occupied by Germany and the Soviet Union since 1939, its leaders maintained a diplomatic presence among the Allies. The declaration was largely symbolic but demonstrated solidarity with the United States and Britain. It reinforced Poland's commitment to the Allied cause despite its lack of territory. Polish forces continued to fight alongside Allied armies in various theaters. The move highlighted the broad international coalition that opposed the Axis powers.
Poland Empire of Japan
1941day.year

World War II: The Imperial Japanese Navy suffers its first loss of surface vessels during the Battle of Wake Island.

During the Battle of Wake Island, the Imperial Japanese Navy suffers its first surface vessel losses in World War II.
On December 11, 1941, Japanese naval forces attempting to capture Wake Island encounter strong American defenses, marking the first loss of Japanese surface ships in the Pacific War. The U.S. Marine garrison and U.S. Navy aircraft repelled the attack, sinking the Japanese destroyer Hayate and damaging others. This setback stunned the Imperial Japanese Navy, which had otherwise enjoyed rapid successes. The incident demonstrated the resilience of U.S. forces and provided a rare early morale boost. Although Wake Island eventually fell, the battle signaled that Japan's naval supremacy could be contested.
Imperial Japanese Navy Battle of Wake Island
1948day.year

Arab–Israeli War: The United Nations passes General Assembly Resolution 194, creating a Conciliation Commission to mediate the conflict.

The UN General Assembly adopts Resolution 194, setting up a Conciliation Commission to mediate the Arab–Israeli conflict.
On December 11, 1948, the United Nations General Assembly passes Resolution 194 to address the escalating Arab–Israeli War. The resolution calls for the peaceful settlement of the conflict and establishes the United Nations Conciliation Commission for Palestine. Its mandate includes facilitating the repatriation of refugees and overseeing disputed territories. Although the Commission struggled to achieve lasting reconciliation, Resolution 194 laid a diplomatic framework for future peace efforts. It remains a key reference in debates over the right of return and the status of Palestinian refugees.
1948 Arab–Israeli War United Nations General Assembly Resolution 194 Conciliation Commission