What happened on March 11 in world history? Here are 4 events worth remembering: See them above in our 57-second video, and below for more details!
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Madrid train bombings kill 191 and wound 1,800
A series of coordinated bombings targeted commuter trains in Madrid, Spain, in one of the deadliest terrorist attacks in European history.
- Ten bombs exploded on four packed commuter trains during rush hour, causing mass casualties.
- Initially blamed on the Basque separatist group ETA, investigations later confirmed that Islamist extremists linked to al-Qaeda were responsible.
- The attack occurred just days before Spain’s general elections, influencing the outcome and leading to a shift in Spain’s foreign policy.
WHO declares COVID-19 a global pandemic
The World Health Organization (WHO) officially declared COVID-19 a pandemic, marking the beginning of a worldwide crisis.
- Originating in Wuhan, China, the novel coronavirus quickly spread across continents, overwhelming healthcare systems.
- Countries imposed strict lockdowns, causing economic downturns, travel bans, and disruptions to daily life.
Michelle Bachelet becomes Chile’s first female president
Michelle Bachelet made history as Chile’s first female president, ushering in a new era of progressive policies and social reforms.
- A pediatrician and former political prisoner, Bachelet’s election symbolized progress in gender equality and democracy in Latin America.
- She prioritized education, healthcare, and pension system improvements, aiming to reduce inequality.
- After serving two terms, Bachelet became the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, continuing her global advocacy.
Japan earthquake and tsunami trigger Fukushima nuclear disaster
A devastating 9.0-magnitude earthquake and tsunami struck Japan, causing widespread destruction and the worst nuclear disaster since Chernobyl.
- The quake triggered a tsunami that wiped out entire coastal towns, killing nearly 16,000 people and displacing hundreds of thousands.
- The tsunami disabled the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant’s cooling systems, leading to a radiation leak and mass evacuations.