1. On December 11, 1819, Alabama became the 22nd state to join the Union. The state was formed from former Native American lands and was named after a local river.

2. On this day in 1941, the United States entered World War II following the surprise attack on Pearl Harbor by the Empire of Japan. Many Alabamians served in the military during the war and contributed to the Allied victory.

3. The Tuskegee Airmen, a group of African American pilots who served during World War II, were honored by the state of Alabama on December 11, 2006. The Tuskegee Airmen played a crucial role in breaking down racial barriers and paving the way for future generations.

4. On December 11, 1958, the first flight of the Saturn rocket took place at the Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama. This marked a significant step forward for the United States in the Space Race, which ultimately resulted in the Apollo moon landing in 1969.

5. In remembrance of the sacrifices made during the Civil Rights Movement, the Equal Justice Initiative opened the National Memorial for Peace and Justice on December 11, 2019, in Montgomery, Alabama. The memorial honors victims of racial violence and seeks to promote healing and reconciliation.