1702⚡ Event
The Daily Courant begins publication
England's first successful daily newspaper, The Daily Courant, begins publication in London.
mediaculture
This Week in History: Week 11
March 11 – March 17
Over 113 historical moments took place during these 7 days of the calendar year. Explore our curated digest of the most world-changing events, iconic births, and notable deaths.
Explore the Full Daily Timelines
Major Events (March 11 – March 17)(20)
1918⚡ Event
First case of 1918 flu pandemic reported
The first confirmed case of the Spanish flu is reported at Fort Riley, Kansas. The pandemic eventually kills 50–100 million people.
medicinewarmilitary
1952⚡ Event
Lord Ismay appointed NATO Secretary General
British diplomat Lord Ismay was appointed the first secretary general of NATO.
politicslaw
1967⚡ Event
Suharto becomes acting president of Indonesia
General Suharto seized power from President Sukarno when the Provisional People's Consultative Assembly sworn him in as acting president of Indonesia.
politics
1971⚡ Event
Turkish coup by memorandum
The Turkish Armed Forces executed a "coup by memorandum", forcing the resignation of Prime Minister Süleyman Demirel.
politicslaw
1973⚡ Event
John McCain Released from POW Camp
U.S. Navy pilot John McCain was released from captivity by North Vietnamese forces. He was among 109 prisoners of war released after five and a half years.
warpolitics
1986⚡ Event
US warships enter Black Sea
American warships Yorktown and Caron entered Soviet territorial waters in the Black Sea, asserting the right of innocent passage. This action led to a collision with Soviet ships.
warpolitics
1988⚡ Event
Seikan Tunnel opens
The 53.85 km Seikan Tunnel opened, connecting the cities of Hakodate and Aomori in Japan. It was the longest railway tunnel in the world at the time of its opening.
technologyexploration
1990⚡ Event
Lithuania declares independence from the Soviet Union
Lithuania becomes the first Soviet republic to declare the restoration of its independence.
politicslaw
1996⚡ Event
Dunblane massacre
A mass shooting at a primary school in Dunblane, Scotland, killed 16 children and a teacher. The event led to tighter gun control in the United Kingdom.
law
2004⚡ Event
Rachelle Ann Go Wins Search for a Star
Filipino singer Rachelle Ann Go won the reality talent show Search for a Star, performing a cover of Mariah Carey's "Through the Rain".
entertainmentmusic
2006⚡ Event
Mahmudiyah murders
U.S. Army soldiers gang-raped a 14-year-old Iraqi girl and murdered her along with her family members.
war
2010⚡ Event
Earthquakes strike Chile during presidential inauguration
During the inauguration of Chilean president Sebastián Piñera, earthquakes struck the O'Higgins Region, causing widespread damage.
disaster
2011⚡ Event
Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami
A magnitude 9.1 earthquake off the Pacific coast of Japan triggers a devastating tsunami and the Fukushima nuclear disaster.
disasterscience
2012⚡ Event
Robert Bales murders civilians in Afghanistan
U.S. Army soldier Robert Bales murdered sixteen civilians and wounded six others in Kandahar Province, Afghanistan.
war
2013⚡ Event
Pope Francis Elected
Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio was elected as Pope Francis, becoming the first Jesuit pope, the first from the Americas, and the first from the Southern Hemisphere.
religionpolitics
2014⚡ Event
East Harlem gas explosion
A gas leak caused an explosion in East Harlem, New York City, destroying two apartment buildings and causing eight deaths.
disaster
2020⚡ Event
WHO declares COVID-19 a pandemic
The World Health Organization officially characterizes COVID-19 as a pandemic, affecting millions worldwide.
medicine
2020⚡ Event
COVID-19 Pandemic Declared
The World Health Organization (WHO) officially declared the COVID-19 outbreak as a pandemic.
medicinedisaster
2020⚡ Event
COVID-19 declared a pandemic
The World Health Organization (WHO) declared the COVID-19 virus epidemic a pandemic.
Famous Birthdays This Week(15)
1952🎂 Birth
Douglas Adams born
English author Douglas Adams is born in Cambridge. He is best known for The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy.
literatureentertainment
Notable Deaths This Week(15)
2006🕊️ Death
Slobodan Milošević dies
Former President of Serbia and Yugoslavia Slobodan Milošević dies in his cell at The Hague during his war crimes trial.
politicswarmilitary
2016🕊️ Death
Felix Ibru
Felix Ibru was a Nigerian architect and politician, serving as Governor of Delta State.
politics
2016🕊️ Death
Lloyd Shapley
Lloyd Shapley was an American mathematician and economist, and a Nobel Prize laureate.
scienceeconomics
2021🕊️ Death
Ray Campi
Ray Campi, an American singer and musician, has died. He was born in 1934.
musicentertainment
2022🕊️ Death
Rupiah Banda
Rupiah Banda, former President of Zambia, has died. He was born in 1937.
politics
2022🕊️ Death
Death of William Hurt
William Hurt, an acclaimed American actor, passed away.
entertainmentarts
2024🕊️ Death
Death of Philippe de Gaulle
Philippe de Gaulle, a French admiral and son of Charles de Gaulle, died.
politicswar
2025🕊️ Death
Junior Bridgeman
Junior Bridgeman, American basketball player and businessman, died.
sportseconomics
2025🕊️ Death
John Feinstein
American sportswriter and commentator known for his books on sports.
sportsliterature
2025🕊️ Death
Raúl Grijalva
United States Representative for Arizona's 3rd congressional district.
politics
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