Dance artist Bella Hoffheins

Events in 2001 and 1-11

Events in the world in the birth year of Bella Hoffheins

• Congo president Laurent Kabila assassinated by bodyguard (Jan. 16). Son Joseph Kabila takes over amid continuing civil war.
• Ariel Sharon wins election in Israel (Feb. 6). Right-wing leader chosen overwhelmingly as nation's fifth prime minister in just over five years during worst Israeli-Palestinian violence in years. Background: Middle East.
• The long-simmering resentment of Macedonia's ethnic Albanians erupts into violence in March. The rebels seek greater autonomy within Macedonia. After six months of fighting, a peace agreement is signed (Aug. 13). British-led NATO forces enter the country and disarm the guerrillas. Background: Macedonia and the Balkans.
• U.S. spy plane and Chinese jet collide (April 2); Sino-American relations deteriorate during a standoff. The 24 crew members of the U.S. plane were detained for 11 days and released after the U.S. issued a formal statement of regret.
• Former Yugoslav president Slobodan Milosevic is delivered to UN tribunal in The Hague to await war-crime trial (June 29).
• Without U.S., 178 nations reach agreement on climate accord, which rescues, though dilutes, 1997 Kyoto Protocol (July 23).
• In response to Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, U.S. and British forces launch bombing campaign on Taliban government and al-Qaeda terrorist camps in Afghanistan (Oct. 7). Bombings continue on a daily basis. Background: Afghanistan.
• Irish Republican Army announces that it has begun to dismantle its weapons arsenal, marking a dramatic leap forward in Northern Ireland peace process (Oct. 23). Background: Northern Ireland Primer.
• At a UN-sponsored summit in Bonn, Germany, Afghani factions meet to create a post-Taliban government (Nov. 27). Hamid Karzai is selected as head of the transitional government (Dec. 5). Background: Who's Who in Afghanistan.
• Taliban regime in Afghanistan collapses after two months of bombing by American warplanes and fighting by Northern Alliance ground troops (Dec. 9).
• Israel condemns the Palestinian Authority as a "terror-supporting entity" and severs ties with leader Yasir Arafat following mounting violence against Israelis (Dec. 3). The Israeli Army begins bombing Palestinian areas. Background: Middle East.

Birthday Bella Hoffheins (1-11) in history

• Day 1-11 year 1512: The frescoes by artist Michelangelo on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel were first presented to the public.
• Day 1-11 year 1755: A devastating earthquake, fire, and tsunami leveled the city of Lisbon, Portugal, and claimed the lives of 70,000 people. It is considered the most tragic event in Europe in the 18th century.
• Day 1-11 year 1765: The Stamp Act, the first direct tax levied on the American colonies, went into effect.
• Day 1-11 year 1870: The U.S. Weather Bureau made its first meteorological observations.
• Day 1-11 year 1936: Benito Mussolini described the new alliance between Nazi Germany and Italy as an "axis" running between Berlin and Rome.
• Day 1-11 year 1952: The United States exploded the first hydrogen bomb in a test in the Marshall Islands.
• Day 1-11 year 1993: The Maastricht Treaty was enacted, establishing the European Union.