On This Day, July 11: Birth of King Petar, Death of Meša Selimović, and More

July 11th is a date marked by a confluence of pivotal historical moments, from royal births and deaths to significant battles and cultural milestones. In 1533, Pope Clement VII excommunicated England's King Henry VIII after he defied the Pope by annulling his marriage to Catherine of Aragon to wed Anne Boleyn. This act ultimately led Henry VIII to establish the Church of England the following year.

A year later, in 1690, the Battle of the Boyne saw the forces of King William III of Orange defeat those of the Catholic King James II. This event is still commemorated in Northern Ireland by the Orange Order, often leading to tensions with the Catholic community.

Serbia's history is marked on this day by the birth of Petar I Karađorđević in 1844. He later became King of Serbia and then the first King of the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats, and Slovenes. His reign was characterized by adherence to the constitution and parliamentary democracy, with foreign policy leaning towards Russia, France, and England.

Croatian politics saw the birth of Stjepan Radić in 1871, the founder of the Croatian Peasant Party. His political career was tragically cut short when he died from wounds sustained in an assassination attempt in the Belgrade National Assembly in 1928.

The cultural landscape is also shaped by this date, with the death of American composer George Gershwin in 1937. Gershwin is celebrated for his innovative fusion of classical music with popular elements, jazz, and blues, leaving behind iconic works like "Rhapsody in Blue" and the opera "Porgy and Bess."