On this day — December 11

the first COVID-19 vaccine to be approved by the agency.

The results are overwhelmingly one-sided. Over 98% of voters vote for Bougainville's independence.

A pipe bomb partially detonates in the New York City Subway, in the Times Square–42nd Street/Port Authority Bus Terminal. Four people are injured, including the perpetrator.

Syria.

Two car bombs explode in Algiers, Algeria, one near the Supreme Constitutional Court and the other near the offices of the United Nations.

Iran, by then-president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad; nations such as Israel and the United States express concern.

the president of Mexico, launches a military-led offensive to put down the drug cartel violence in the state of Michoacán. This effort is often regarded as the first event in the Mexican drug war.

England.

Thousands of White Australians demonstrate against ethnic violence resulting in a riot against anyone thought to be Lebanese in Cronulla, New South Wales; these are followed up by retaliatory ethnic attacks on Cronulla.

killing 35.

The pilot flying the Airbus A310-200 is thought to have suffered spatial disorientation.

an agreement committing countries to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, opens for signature.