Today in History: June 11, Margaret Thatcher wins third term as British prime minister

June 11 stands as a notable anchor in history, highlighted by Margaret Thatcher's 1987 achievement of winning a third consecutive term as British prime minister. Thatcher's victory occurred as the Conservative Party retained a reduced parliamentary majority, marking a rare sustained leadership milestone in over 160 years. The date also commemorates earlier events: Henry VIII's marriage to Catherine of Aragon in 1509 and the 1776 appointment of the Committee of Five to draft the Declaration of Independence. It further recalls the 1955 Le Mans disaster, where more than 80 people were killed after cars collided with spectators, a tragedy that reshaped motorsport safety norms.