The Battle of Orewin Bridge takes place near Builth Wells in mid-Wales on December 11, 1282 between the English and Welsh armies. It resulted in a decisive Welsh defeat and the death of their leader, Llywelyn ap Gruffudd; effectively ended Welsh autonomy.
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What Happened Today in History on December 11
Explore the historical events that shaped our world on December 11th. From major milestones to cultural achievements, see what happened on this day in history. Dates for earlier events may be approximate.
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Indiana is admitted into the United States Union becoming the 19th State.
The abdication of King Edward VIII formally approved. Edward VIII had abdicated after failing to win acceptance for his desire to marry American divorcée Wallis Warfield Simpson. He became the only British sovereign to voluntarily resign the crown.
Adolf Hitler declares that Germany is at war with the United States following the Japanese attacks on the U.S., British, and Dutch positions in the Pacific and in East Asia. In a major shake-up of the military high command. Nine days later, on December 19, Adolf Hitler assumed the position of commander in chief of the German army.
The United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF) is established to meet the emergency needs of children in post-war Europe and China. More
Adolf Eichmann, a Nazi war criminal living in Argentina is found guilty and sentenced to die, after a trial in Israel. Eichmann was abducted by an Israeli command unit from Argentina, where he was living and was taken to Israel to be tried. More
French forces capture the Algerian city of Oran, effectively ending the Algerian War of Independence.
The South African Rivonia Trial concludes with the sentencing of Nelson Mandela and other anti-apartheid activists to life in prison.
The Lufthansa cargo terminal at JFK Airport is taken over by six masked armed men in the pre-dawn hours. Arriving employees are held at gunpoint and within one hour the robbers left with nearly $6M in U.S Dollars and jewelry, the largest cash robbery on US soil at the time. The robbery became to be known as the Lufthansa heist.
China joins the World Trade Organization (WTO) after 15 years of negotiations.