What would you remember 2011 for? Vote for event of the year
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The year 2011 saw many important events. While some received a warm welcome, some were not quite pleasant. Here is a compilation of the events that created a stir and dominated the world's attention in 2011.
Do tell us what you think and which event, according to you, rings out the loudest in 2011? Vote now and see what the others are talking about!
The American technology and consulting multinational, IBM is the second largest publicly traded technology giant in terms of market capitalization. Founded in 1911, IBM completed one hundred years of operations on June 16, 2011. Read more...
Google Plus, the social network was launched by Google on June 28, 2011.
Initially available only through invitation, the network was thrown open to
all users on September 20, 2011. Google Plus reached over twenty-five
million users in early August making it the fastest growing social network yet Read more...
The leading UK newspaper, News of the World stopped publication on July 10, 2011, following allegations of corruption and phone hacking. Founded in 1843, the tabloid had readership of 7.4 million. The newspaper faced public outcry following police investigation of the phone hacking scandal. Read more...
Standard and Poor, the world's leading credit rating organization downgraded the United States from the top AAA rating for the first time ever. The US economy now holds an AA+ rating and concerns about the country's budget deficit have raised an alarm in the world markets. Read more...
On February 22, 2011, New Zealand was stuck by a 6.3 magnitude earthquake, the deadliest natural calamity of the country faced in the past eighty years. The shake caused an estimated damage of about US $12 billion. Read more...
On March 11, 2011, Japan was hit by an earthquake measuring 9 Mw. Among the five most powerful earthquakes of the past century, the Great East Japan Earthquake triggered a tsunami and a nuclear crisis at the Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant making it necessary for thousands of Japanese to evacuate the adjoining areas. Read more...
Over 606 people were killed and 12.8 million people were affected in the floods that occurred in Thailand during the monsoon season of 2011. The floods have caused havoc to the economy of the country and caused damages mounting up to US$ 45 billion. Read more...
In January 2011 the Tunisian Revolution flared up, with demands for the abdication of President Zine El-Abidine Ben Ali taking the country by storm. The large scale uprising, one of its kind in the Arab world, sparked off revolutions in many other countries leading up to the Arab Spring of 2011. Read more...
Following the Jasmine Revolution of Tunisia, Egyptians staged their own revolution in early 2011 demanding the overthrow of President Hosni Mubarak, whose thirty-year old regime had been authoritarian. As millions protested all over Egypt the world saw a second uprising in the Arab world within a couple of months. Read more...
Following the revolutions in Tunisia and Egypt, Syria broke out in an uprising on January 26, 2011. By August 1, 2011, the protests had reached a crescendo claiming more than 3,500 lives. Read more...
The resignation of Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak after thirty years of autocratic rule shook up the world. Upstaged by his own people, the former President of Egypt faced trial with charges of corruption and murder. The world watched as Egypt, the most populous Arab nation was taken over by the military. Read more...
Following a referendum that took place in Southern Sudan in January 2011, the Republic of Southern Sudan was formed on July 9, 2011. With its capital city at Juba, South Sudan is now a member of the UN and of the African Union. Read more...
King Abdullah, regent of Saudi Arabi, granted women the right to vote on September 25, 2011. Known for its conservatism, the decision was cheered by women the world over. Women of the country also won the right to run in municipal elections. Read more...
On October 31, 2011, the United Nations cultural agency UNESCO granted Palestine a full membership. The decision is seen as an endorsement of Palestine's efforts to achieve independence by the nations of the world. Read more...
The political crisis in Greece took an unexpected turn on November 3, 2011, as Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou dropped his plans for holding the proposed referendum on an EU bailout. The crisis was a threat to the financial prospects of the eurozone. Read more...
Italian Prime Minister, Silvio Berlusconi stepped down on November 12, 2011, following the Italian financial crisis and scandals marring his career. A dominant political figure in Italian politics for over seventeen years, Berlusconi faces now faces trial. Read more...
Following a revolution that led to the ousted of President Mubarak Hosni, Egypt was concerned with a continuing military rule. The country finally went into the first phase of parliamentary elections on November 28, 2011. Read more...
Space Shuttle Discovery, the orbiter of NASAs space shuttle program made its final touchdown at the Kennedy Space Center on March 9, 2011. In about twenty-seven years the space shuttle had flown thirty-nine successful missions and had flown the space telescope Hubble into its orbit. Read more...
Apple Inc. launched the second generation tablet computer iPad2 in the United States on March 11, 2011 and internationally on March 25, 2011. The device is powered by a 1GHz dual-core processor and revolutionized tablet technology.
Read more...
On July 8, 2011, space shuttle Atlantis was launched on the final mission of the space shuttle program of NASA. The mission ended on July 21, 2011, when the shuttle landed at the Kennedy Space Center having orbited the earth 4,848 times. Read more...
The planet Neptune was discovered on September 23, 1846. Over 164 years later, on July 12, 2011, Neptune completed its first orbit around the sun since its discovery. The ice giant is the furthest planet from the sun following Pluto's removal from the list of planets. Read more...
Renowned British-American actress, Elizabeth 'Liz' Taylor died in March 2011 at the age of seventy-nine. Known for her award-winning performances in movies like ‘BUtterfield 8 and 'Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?' Liz Taylor was mired in controversy for her eight marriages but well loved by her audience. Read more...
On April 29, 2011, the wedding of Prince William and Catherine Middleton took place in London. Prince William is the son of the son of Prince Charles and Lady Diana. Held at Westminster Abbey, the royal wedding was aired on television with a worldwide viewership of about 36.7 million.Read more...
Osama bin Mohammed bin Awad bin Laden, was perhaps the most wanted militant of the world after the 9/11 attacks on the United States. Founder of the militant outfit, Al-Qaeda, Osama was killed on May 2, 2011, in Pakistan.
Read more...
On June 17, 2011, the United Nations endorsed the rights of the LGBT community and recognized the rights of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people as human rights. The resolution recognizing LGBT rights was protested by many Islamic and African countries but was welcomed by the LGBT community worldwide.
Read more...
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2, the last movie based on the Harry Potter novels by J K Rowling, was premiered in London on July 7, 2011. The film earned over $438.2 million worldwide by the opening weekend. Amazon.com has declared the film the highest pre-ordered Blu-ray. Read more...
A number of London boroughs and many cities in England broke out in riots on August 6, 2011. The riots lasted till August 20 and widespread looting and arson was reported. Security concerns apart, over £200 million worth of assets and properties were damaged in the riots. Read more...
Steve Jobs, the co-founder and chairman of Apple Inc., died at the age of 56, having battled cancer for about eight years. iPhone, iPad, iPod, and iMac are known to have been the brainchild of the master inventor. The news shocked the world. Read more...
Muammar Muhammad Abu Minyar Gaddafi, the leader of Libya since 1969 was killed on October 20, 2011, by the members of National Transitional Council. Libya had been in a state of civil war since February 2011 and had required a NATO led military intervention. Read more...
According to United Nations reports the population of the world hit the seven million mark on October 31, 2011. A number of children from across the world were symbolically selected to represent the seven millionth birth. Read more...
The year 2011 saw many important events. While some received a warm welcome, some were not quite pleasant. Here is a compilation of the events that created a stir and dominated the world's attention in 2011.
Do tell us what you think and which event, according to you, rings out the loudest in 2011?
Vote now and see what the others are talking about!
Business
16 June
IBM Completes 100
The American technology and consulting multinational, IBM is the second largest publicly traded technology giant in terms of market capitalization. Founded in 1911, IBM completed one hundred years of operations on June 16, 2011. Read more...
29 Jun
Google Plus launch
Google Plus, the social network was launched by Google on June 28, 2011. Initially available only through invitation, the network was thrown open to all users on September 20, 2011. Google Plus reached over twenty-five million users in early August making it the fastest growing social network yet Read more...
10 Jul
"News of the World" Ceases Publication
The leading UK newspaper, News of the World stopped publication on July 10, 2011, following allegations of corruption and phone hacking. Founded in 1843, the tabloid had readership of 7.4 million. The newspaper faced public outcry following police investigation of the phone hacking scandal. Read more...
5 Aug
USA Loses AAA Rating
Standard and Poor, the world's leading credit rating organization downgraded the United States from the top AAA rating for the first time ever. The US economy now holds an AA+ rating and concerns about the country's budget deficit have raised an alarm in the world markets. Read more...
Natural Disaster
22 Feb
New Zealand Christchurch Earthquake
On February 22, 2011, New Zealand was stuck by a 6.3 magnitude earthquake, the deadliest natural calamity of the country faced in the past eighty years. The shake caused an estimated damage of about US $12 billion. Read more...
11 Mar
Japan Earthquake and Tsunami
On March 11, 2011, Japan was hit by an earthquake measuring 9 Mw. Among the five most powerful earthquakes of the past century, the Great East Japan Earthquake triggered a tsunami and a nuclear crisis at the Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant making it necessary for thousands of Japanese to evacuate the adjoining areas. Read more...
31 Jul
Thailand Floods
Over 606 people were killed and 12.8 million people were affected in the floods that occurred in Thailand during the monsoon season of 2011. The floods have caused havoc to the economy of the country and caused damages mounting up to US$ 45 billion. Read more...
Politics
14 Jan
Tunisian Revolution 2011
In January 2011 the Tunisian Revolution flared up, with demands for the abdication of President Zine El-Abidine Ben Ali taking the country by storm. The large scale uprising, one of its kind in the Arab world, sparked off revolutions in many other countries leading up to the Arab Spring of 2011. Read more...
25 Jan
Egyptian Revolution
Following the Jasmine Revolution of Tunisia, Egyptians staged their own revolution in early 2011 demanding the overthrow of President Hosni Mubarak, whose thirty-year old regime had been authoritarian. As millions protested all over Egypt the world saw a second uprising in the Arab world within a couple of months. Read more...
26 Jan
Protests in Syria
Following the revolutions in Tunisia and Egypt, Syria broke out in an uprising on January 26, 2011. By August 1, 2011, the protests had reached a crescendo claiming more than 3,500 lives. Read more...
11 Feb
President Hosni Mubarak Resigns
The resignation of Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak after thirty years of autocratic rule shook up the world. Upstaged by his own people, the former President of Egypt faced trial with charges of corruption and murder. The world watched as Egypt, the most populous Arab nation was taken over by the military. Read more...
9 Jul
Republic of Southern Sudan Formed
Following a referendum that took place in Southern Sudan in January 2011, the Republic of Southern Sudan was formed on July 9, 2011. With its capital city at Juba, South Sudan is now a member of the UN and of the African Union. Read more...
25 Sep
Saudi Women Granted Right To Vote
King Abdullah, regent of Saudi Arabi, granted women the right to vote on September 25, 2011. Known for its conservatism, the decision was cheered by women the world over. Women of the country also won the right to run in municipal elections. Read more...
31 Oct
Palestine Granted UNESCO Membership
On October 31, 2011, the United Nations cultural agency UNESCO granted Palestine a full membership. The decision is seen as an endorsement of Palestine's efforts to achieve independence by the nations of the world. Read more...
3 Nov
Greek Crisis
The political crisis in Greece took an unexpected turn on November 3, 2011, as Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou dropped his plans for holding the proposed referendum on an EU bailout. The crisis was a threat to the financial prospects of the eurozone. Read more...
12 Nov
Italian PM, Silvio Berlusconi Steps Down
Italian Prime Minister, Silvio Berlusconi stepped down on November 12, 2011, following the Italian financial crisis and scandals marring his career. A dominant political figure in Italian politics for over seventeen years, Berlusconi faces now faces trial. Read more...
28 Nov
Egyptian Parliamentary Elections
Following a revolution that led to the ousted of President Mubarak Hosni, Egypt was concerned with a continuing military rule. The country finally went into the first phase of parliamentary elections on November 28, 2011. Read more...
Science & Technology
9 Mar
Discovery Returns
Space Shuttle Discovery, the orbiter of NASAs space shuttle program made its final touchdown at the Kennedy Space Center on March 9, 2011. In about twenty-seven years the space shuttle had flown thirty-nine successful missions and had flown the space telescope Hubble into its orbit. Read more...
25 Mar
iPad 2 Launch
Apple Inc. launched the second generation tablet computer iPad2 in the United States on March 11, 2011 and internationally on March 25, 2011. The device is powered by a 1GHz dual-core processor and revolutionized tablet technology. Read more...
8 Jul
Space Shuttle Atlantis Launched
On July 8, 2011, space shuttle Atlantis was launched on the final mission of the space shuttle program of NASA. The mission ended on July 21, 2011, when the shuttle landed at the Kennedy Space Center having orbited the earth 4,848 times. Read more...
12 Jul
Neptune Completes First Orbit since Discovery
The planet Neptune was discovered on September 23, 1846. Over 164 years later, on July 12, 2011, Neptune completed its first orbit around the sun since its discovery. The ice giant is the furthest planet from the sun following Pluto's removal from the list of planets. Read more...
People & Society
23 Mar
Death of Elizabeth Taylor
Renowned British-American actress, Elizabeth 'Liz' Taylor died in March 2011 at the age of seventy-nine. Known for her award-winning performances in movies like ‘BUtterfield 8 and 'Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?' Liz Taylor was mired in controversy for her eight marriages but well loved by her audience. Read more...
29 Apr
British Royal Wedding
On April 29, 2011, the wedding of Prince William and Catherine Middleton took place in London. Prince William is the son of the son of Prince Charles and Lady Diana. Held at Westminster Abbey, the royal wedding was aired on television with a worldwide viewership of about 36.7 million.Read more...
2 May
Death of Osama Bin-Laden
Osama bin Mohammed bin Awad bin Laden, was perhaps the most wanted militant of the world after the 9/11 attacks on the United States. Founder of the militant outfit, Al-Qaeda, Osama was killed on May 2, 2011, in Pakistan. Read more...
17 Jun
UN Recognizes LGBT Rights
On June 17, 2011, the United Nations endorsed the rights of the LGBT community and recognized the rights of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people as human rights. The resolution recognizing LGBT rights was protested by many Islamic and African countries but was welcomed by the LGBT community worldwide. Read more...
7 Jul
Last Harry Potter Movie Released
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2, the last movie based on the Harry Potter novels by J K Rowling, was premiered in London on July 7, 2011. The film earned over $438.2 million worldwide by the opening weekend. Amazon.com has declared the film the highest pre-ordered Blu-ray. Read more...
6 Aug
Britain Riots
A number of London boroughs and many cities in England broke out in riots on August 6, 2011. The riots lasted till August 20 and widespread looting and arson was reported. Security concerns apart, over £200 million worth of assets and properties were damaged in the riots. Read more...
5 Oct
Death of Steve Jobs
Steve Jobs, the co-founder and chairman of Apple Inc., died at the age of 56, having battled cancer for about eight years. iPhone, iPad, iPod, and iMac are known to have been the brainchild of the master inventor. The news shocked the world. Read more...
20 Oct
Death of Ousted Libyan Leader Gaddafi
Muammar Muhammad Abu Minyar Gaddafi, the leader of Libya since 1969 was killed on October 20, 2011, by the members of National Transitional Council. Libya had been in a state of civil war since February 2011 and had required a NATO led military intervention. Read more...
31 Oct
World Population Reaches Seven Billion
According to United Nations reports the population of the world hit the seven million mark on October 31, 2011. A number of children from across the world were symbolically selected to represent the seven millionth birth. Read more...