Today in US history on February 11: Yalta talks, Emma Goldman arrest, Mandela freed

From the high-stakes negotiations of World War II to battles over civil liberties and energy independence, February 11 stands out as a date when decisions made in Washington and beyond helped shape the course of history. Below are historical events in US and world history on this day that changed the future of mankind.

1945 – Yalta Agreement sets stage for postwar world

During World War II, US President Franklin D. Roosevelt, British Prime Minister Winston Churchill and Soviet leader Josef Stalin met at the Yalta Conference, held from February 4 to 11, 1945, in the Crimean resort town of Yalta. The leaders discussed the final stages of the war and plans for the postwar order and signed it on this day. As part of the Yalta Agreement, Stalin committed to declaring war against Imperial Japan following Nazi Germany’s capitulation.


Also Read: Today in US history: February 10, 1863 - First fire extinguisher is patented by Alanson Crane of Virginia

1916 – Emma Goldman arrested for birth control lecture

On this day in 1916, controversial political activist Emma Goldman was arrested in the United States for delivering a public lecture advocating birth control, an act that violated obscenity laws of the time.

1974 – Kissinger unveils ‘Project Independence’

US Secretary of State Henry Kissinger introduced the Nixon administration’s seven-point “Project Independence” plan to make the United States energy independent.

World events on February 11

• 1990: South African anti-apartheid leader Nelson Mandela was released from prison after 27 years. He would go on to become president of South Africa four years later.
  
  
• 1975: Margaret Thatcher was elected leader of Britain’s opposition Conservative Party, marking a pivotal moment in British political history.