Today in History – August 11

August 11, 2025 OLAOLUWA AYOMIDE

Good day, ladies and gentlemen. On this day in history, the world has witnessed defining moments that have shaped nations, inspired cultures, and transformed societies. From the corridors of political power to the streets where revolutions were born, August 11th stands as a testament to human resilience, creativity, and the quest for change.

Today, we journey across continents, exploring milestones in Africa such as Chad’s stride to independence, to groundbreaking global events like the birth of hip-hop in the Bronx. Let us take a moment to remember not only the achievements and discoveries but also the lives and legacies of those who left their mark on this date.

Notable Events Around the World and in Africa

1919 – Germany’s Weimar Constitution is signed by President Friedrich Ebert, establishing the nation’s first parliamentary democracy.
1929 – Baseball legend Babe Ruth becomes the first Major League Baseball player to hit 500 career home runs.
1934 – The first federal prisoners arrive at Alcatraz Island, later infamous for housing criminals like Al Capone.
1952 – King Hussein is proclaimed ruler of Jordan, beginning his decades-long reign.
1960 – Chad gains independence from France, with François Tombalbaye becoming the nation’s first president—a defining moment in African history.
1965 – The Watts Riots erupt in Los Angeles, lasting six days and highlighting racial tensions in the United States.
1972 – The last U.S. ground combat troops depart from South Vietnam, marking a significant phase in the Vietnam War.
1973 – In the Bronx, DJ Kool Herc pioneers’ techniques now seen as the birth of hip-hop music, changing the sound of global youth culture forever.
1992 – The Mall of America opens in Minnesota, becoming one of the largest shopping centres in the world.
1999 – The last total solar eclipse of the millennium is visible across parts of Europe, Asia, and Africa.

Notable Deaths on This Day

1956 – Jackson Pollock, acclaimed abstract expressionist painter, dies in a car accident at age 44.
1972 – Max Theiler, South African–born Nobel Prize-winning virologist, passes away.
2014 – Robin Williams, beloved actor and comedian, passes away at age 63, leaving behind a legacy of laughter and compassion.
2017 – Segun Bucknor, Nigerian musician and journalist, dies, remembered for his Afrobeat contributions.
2018 – V.S. Naipaul, Nobel Prize–winning writer, passes away, leaving an enduring mark on postcolonial literature.

Conclusion

As we reflect on August 11th, we are reminded that history is not merely a record of the past, but a mirror reflecting our struggles, triumphs, and shared humanity.

Whether in the dusty streets of N’Djamena on the day of Chad’s independence, the pulsating beats of a Bronx block party that birthed a global music genre, or the solemn farewell to cultural icons like Robin Williams and Segun Bucknor, each event reminds us that our stories are intertwined.

Let us carry forward the lessons of courage, innovation, and unity from today’s history, so that we may shape a tomorrow worth remembering.