This Day in History: February 11

1858: Bernadette Soubirous sees a vision of the Virgin Mary near Lourdes

On February 11, 1858, 14-year-old Bernadette of Lourdes, France, saw a vision of the Virgin Mary. This was the first of 18 apparitions that would take place over the course of several months. The visions drew widespread attention and eventually led to the establishment of the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes, a major Catholic pilgrimage site.

1929: Vatican City, the world's smallest country, is made an enclave of Rome

In 1929, the Lateran Treaty was signed between the Holy See and Italy, which established the independent state of Vatican City. With an area of just 44 hectares (110 acres), Vatican City is the smallest country in the world by land area and is home to numerous historic and religious sites, including St. Peter's Basilica and the Sistine Chapel.

1938: The BBC broadcasts Karel Čapek's “R.U.R.”, the world's first science fiction TV program

In 1938, the BBC aired a televised adaptation of Czech writer Karel Čapek's play "Rossum's Universal Robots" (R.U.R.), which introduced the word "robot" to the English language. The play depicts a future where robots have taken over human jobs, leading to a conflict between humans and their creations. It is considered a landmark work in science fiction literature.

1975: Margaret Thatcher becomes the first female leader of the British Conservative Party

In 1975, Margaret Thatcher was elected as the leader of the British Conservative Party, becoming the first woman to hold the position. She went on to win the general elections in 1979 and became the first female Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, serving in the role until 1990.

1979: Ayatollah Khomeini seizes power in Iran

In 1979, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini returned to Iran from exile in France and the Iranian army stepped aside, allowing for the creation of an Islamic theocracy. Khomeini became the Supreme Leader of Iran and ushered in a new era of religious rule and social conservatism.

1990: Nelson Mandela is freed after 27 years as a political prisoner

In 1990, Nelson Mandela was released from Victor Verster Prison in Cape Town, South Africa, after serving 27 years as a political prisoner. Mandela was a key figure in the anti-apartheid movement and his release was a significant moment in South Africa's transition from apartheid to democracy.

2011: Egyptian Revolution culminates in the resignation of Hosni Mubarak and the transfer of power to the Supreme Military Council after 18 days of protests (Arab Spring)

In 2011, protests erupted in Egypt as part of the Arab Spring movement, calling for the resignation of President Hosni Mubarak. After 18 days of demonstrations and clashes with security forces, Mubarak stepped down and the Supreme Military Council assumed control of the country. The revolution had a significant impact on the political landscape of the Middle East and North Africa.