THE DAY IN HISTORY · FEBRUARY 11
February 11 in history
What happened on February 11: 3 moments from the Maps of History atlases, in 1889, 1945 and 1990, each linked to the map that shows it.
— Meiji Constitution
11 Feb 1889 — In the new palace the emperor hands the constitution to the prime minister as a gift from the throne. The emperor remains sovereign; an elected lower house shares in lawmaking, chosen in 1890 by about 1% of the population.
READ THIS MOMENT → · SEE IT ON THE REMAKING THE STATE MAP → · THE FULL STORY →
— Yalta Conference
4–11 Feb 1945 — Roosevelt, Churchill and Stalin agree that Poland’s eastern border will follow roughly the Curzon Line, with compensation in the west, and sign accords to return each other’s liberated citizens. Both decisions would uproot millions once the fighting stopped.
READ THIS MOMENT → · SEE IT ON THE UPROOTED MAP → · THE FULL STORY →
— Release of Nelson Mandela
11 Feb 1990 — After 27 years, Nelson Mandela leaves Victor Verster prison on foot, fist raised. Nine days earlier F. W. de Klerk had unbanned the ANC. Negotiation, not conquest, will end apartheid.
READ THIS MOMENT → · SEE IT ON THE DECOLONIZATION OF AFRICA MAP → · THE FULL STORY →
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