Significant Historical Milestones on March 11
March 11 holds historical significance with events such as the first U.S. flu pandemic cases in 1918, the enactment of the Lend-Lease Act in 1941, and the devastating 2011 earthquake and tsunami in Japan. Other notable occurrences include terrorist attacks in Madrid (2004), the death of Slobodan Milošević (2006), and the COVID relief package signed by President Biden in 2021.
On March 11, several significant historical events have transpired over the years. In 1918, the United States reported what were believed to be the first confirmed cases of a lethal flu pandemic among Army soldiers at Fort Riley, Kansas, leading to 46 deaths. This pandemic ultimately claimed the lives of between 20 million to 40 million individuals worldwide.
Another notable occurrence happened in 1941 when President Franklin D. Roosevelt enacted the Lend-Lease Act, which authorized the provision of war supplies to Allied nations amidst World War II. In 1985, Mikhail Gorbachev was appointed as the general secretary of the Soviet Communist Party, succeeding Konstantin Chernenko.
The year 2004 marked a tragic event in Spain where, just days prior to general elections, a series of bombings in Madrid resulted in the deaths of 193 people. This attack was attributed to al-Qaida-inspired militants. In 2006, Slobodan Milošević, a former Serbian leader, was discovered deceased in his prison cell, effectively ending his U.N. war crimes trial.
In 2010, a federal appeals court upheld the use of the phrases “under God” in the Pledge of Allegiance and “In God We Trust” on U.S. currency. The catastrophic earthquake and tsunami that struck Japan in 2011 resulted in nearly 20,000 fatalities and significant damage to the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear facility.
In 2012, Staff Sgt. Robert Bales was responsible for the tragic shooting of 16 Afghan villagers, primarily women and children, while they slept. Consequently, Bales pleaded guilty and received a life sentence without parole.
In more recent history, in 2021, President Joe Biden endorsed a $1.9 trillion COVID relief legislation aimed at controlling the virus and revitalizing the economy, providing direct payments of up to $1,400 for lower-income Americans, along with extended unemployment benefits.
March 11 marks a day of somber remembrance and historical significance, reflecting various pivotal events including pandemics, legislative actions, and tragic occurrences. These events have shaped not only national narratives but also global ones, emphasizing the importance of history in informing our present and future decisions.
Original Source: www.limaohio.com
