2011 – Space Shuttle Atlantis is launched for the last time--It was also the last flight of NASA’s 30-year long and successful Space Shuttle program. STS-135, as this final mission was called, was the program’s 135th flight.
1994 – Kim Jong-il takes office as the Supreme Leader of North Korea--Popularly known as “Dear Leader” in his country, Kim Jongil took North Korea’s highest office after the death of his father, Kim Ilsung. He ruled the country with an iron fist until his death in 2011, when his son, Kim Jong-un took his place. Kim Jong-il’s tenure was marred by widespread human rights violations and severe famine in the country.