December 11: What Happened on This Day in History

• 2021: A severe and unprecedented tornado outbreak struck multiple states across the Midwest, Ohio Valley, and Tennessee Valley on December 11, 2021. The catastrophic event produced dozens of tornadoes that devastated communities in Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Arkansas, Kentucky, Tennessee, Mississippi, and Alabama. The outbreak resulted in 87 fatalities and numerous injuries, making it one of the deadliest tornado events in recent U.S. history. The most significant damage was concentrated in Kentucky, where entire towns were virtually destroyed.
• 2008: Daniel Carleton Gajdusek, a renowned American physician and Nobel Prize laureate in Physiology or Medicine, passed away. Known for his groundbreaking research on infectious diseases, particularly his work on kuru in Papua New Guinea, Gajdusek made significant contributions to medical science.
• 2002: Chile's government signed a bilateral trade agreement with the United States, marking a significant step in economic cooperation between the two nations.
• 2000: Alex Rodriguez signs the most lucrative contract in sports history, securing a ten-year deal with the Texas Rangers worth US$252 million, setting a new benchmark for athlete compensation in professional baseball.
• 1995: On December 11, 1995, businessman Thomas O. Hicks completed the purchase of the NHL's Dallas Stars for $84 million, marking a significant moment in the franchise's ownership history. This acquisition represented a substantial investment in professional hockey and signaled Hicks' expansion into sports team ownership.
• 1994: Philip Phillips, a notable American archaeologist who made significant contributions to archaeological research, passed away on this date. Born in 1900, he was a prominent figure in understanding historical human cultures and archaeological methodologies.
• 1990: The U.S. 69th manned space mission, Space Shuttle Columbia mission STS-35, successfully completed its scientific research mission and returned to Earth, contributing to ongoing space exploration and scientific research.
• 1985: A computer store owner in Sacramento, California, was killed by a package bomb, marking the first fatal attack in the Unabomber's domestic terrorism campaign. This tragic event would become part of a series of bombings targeting individuals associated with technology and academia.
• 1981: During a period of political instability, Argentine President and General Roberto Viola was forced to flee, reflecting the tumultuous political landscape in Argentina during the early 1980s.
• 1977: The Tampa Bay Buccaneers of the NFL achieve a historic milestone by winning their very first game against the New Orleans Saints, ending a remarkable 26-game losing streak. This victory marked a significant turning point for the struggling franchise.

How to check someone's birthday?

If you’re looking for a person's birth date, have a look at our Birthday Search Guide

December 11th marks the 345th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (or the 346th in case of leap years).

There are 20 days remaining until the end of the year.

December 11th is the 11th day of the month of December.

What day of the week is December 11?

On December 11th, 2025 the day of the week is Thursday.

Holidays and Observances on December 11

The zodiac sign associated with December 11th is Sagittarius according to the Western Zodiac.

More about December 11 zodiac

What is special about the Sagittarius sign?

• Sagittarius personality traits and attitude
• Sagittarius most and least compatible signs
• Why December born are so special