LAHORE: While Pakistan would hopefully be playing the role of a facilitator in the peace talks between Washington DC and Tehran on April 11 or Saturday (today), this particular date already holds a lot of significance in respective American, Israeli, Iranian, Pakistani and Chinese histories, research shows.
Interestingly, while all eyes in Israel are glued at the outcome of peace parleys in Islamabad, the city of Tel Aviv would be celebrating its 117th birthday on April 11 (today).
Meaning a “Spring hill,” this vibrant city on the Mediterranean coast was founded on this date in 1909 after a number of Jewish residents had decided to move to a healthier environment, outside the crowded and noisy city of Jaffa, reveals the “Jewish Virtual Library.”
Research shows that it was on April 11, 1971, an American delegation had arrived in Beijing, becoming the first group of Americans allowed into China since the Communist takeover in 1949.
The development had flashed headlines throughout the world as the “Ping-Pong Diplomacy” had finally succeeded in easing the Cold War tension some 55 years ago, courtesy Pakistan.
The April 1971 “Ping Pong Diplomacy” had witnessed Pakistan acting as an unconventional bridge between the two fuming adversaries--United States and China-- resulting in US Foreign Secretary Henry Kissinger’s covert 1971 visit to Beijing from Islamabad. Pakistan’s facilitation had hence paved way for President Nixon’s 1972 tour to China.
It was also on this day in 2006 that the-then Iranian President, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, had announced his country’s claim to have successfully enriched Uranium, raising many an eyebrow!
On April 11, 1979, famous Ugandan President, Idi Amin, whose brutality earned him the nickname “Butcher of Uganda,” had fled the country as Tanzanian-led forces approached Kampala.
On this date in 1976, the first-ever Apple computer was created.
On this date in 1970, the “Apollo 13” was launched from Florida.
Although scheduled to be the third lunar landing, the mission was aborted after an oxygen tank exploded en route to the Moon.
On April 11, 1957, the United Kingdom had agreed to self-rule in Singapore.
On April 11, 1951, American President Harry Truman relieved famous US Army Chief, General Douglas MacArthur, of his command during the Korean War.
On this date in 1898, American President, William McKinley, had asked Congress to declare war on Spain. On April 11, 1848—Emperor Ferdinand 1 of Austria confirmed the inception of Hungary.
And on April 11, 1814, during the Napoleonic Wars, Napoleon was facing an invasion of France by forces bent on his overthrow. Hence, pressed by his own officers, he abdicated unconditionally.
By the way, this date must also be etched in incumbent Pakistani Premier Shahbaz Sharif’s memory, as on April 11, 2022, he was elected and sworn in as the 23rd Prime Minister of Pakistan, securing 174 votes just a day after the ouster of his predecessor, Imran Khan.
