On This Day — February 11

Famous events, births, and deaths from February 11 in history, plus the public holidays, religious observances, sports, and national days happening on this date today.

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50 events · 188 births · 96 deaths recorded for February 11.

🕰️ Notable Events on February 11

2016 — A man shoots six people dead at an education center in Jizan Province, Saudi Arabia. Wikipedia ↗
2015 — A university student was murdered as she resisted an attempted rape in Turkey, sparking nationwide protests and public outcry against harassment and violence against women. Wikipedia ↗
2014 — A military transport plane crashes in a mountainous area of Oum El Bouaghi Province in eastern Algeria, killing 77 people. Wikipedia ↗
2013 — The Vatican confirmed that Pope Benedict XVI would resign the papacy on 28 February 2013, as a result of his advanced age. Wikipedia ↗
2011 — The first wave of the Egyptian revolution culminates in the resignation of Hosni Mubarak and the transfer of power to the Supreme Military Council after 18 days of protests. Wikipedia ↗
2008 — Rebel East Timorese soldiers seriously wound President José Ramos-Horta. Rebel leader Alfredo Reinado is killed in the attack. Wikipedia ↗
2006 — Then U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney shot Harry Whittington, a 78-year-old Texas attorney, while participating in a quail hunt on a ranch in Riviera, Texas. Wikipedia ↗
2001 — A Dutch programmer launched the Anna Kournikova virus infecting millions of emails via a trick photo of the tennis star. Wikipedia ↗
1999 — Pluto crosses Neptune's orbit, ending a nearly 20-year period (since 1979) when it was closer to the Sun than the gas giant; Pluto is not expected to interact with Neptune's orbit for another 228 years. Wikipedia ↗
1997 — Space Shuttle Discovery is launched on a mission to service the Hubble Space Telescope. Wikipedia ↗
1990 — Nelson Mandela is released from Victor Verster Prison outside Cape Town, South Africa after 27 years as a political prisoner. Wikipedia ↗
1990 — Buster Douglas, a 42:1 underdog, knocks out Mike Tyson in ten rounds at Tokyo to win boxing's world Heavyweight title. Wikipedia ↗
1981 — Around 100,000 US gallons (380 m3) of radioactive coolant leak into the containment building of TVA Sequoyah 1 nuclear plant in Tennessee, contaminating eight workers. Wikipedia ↗
1979 — The Iranian Revolution establishes an Islamic theocracy under the leadership of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini. Wikipedia ↗
1978 — Censorship: China lifts a ban on works by Aristotle, William Shakespeare and Charles Dickens. Wikipedia ↗
1973 — Vietnam War: First release of American prisoners of war from Vietnam takes place. Wikipedia ↗
1971 — Eighty-seven countries, including the United States, United Kingdom, and Soviet Union, sign the Seabed Arms Control Treaty outlawing nuclear weapons on the ocean floor in international waters. Wikipedia ↗
1964 — Greeks and Turks begin fighting in Limassol, Cyprus. Wikipedia ↗
1959 — The Federation of Arab Emirates of the South, which will later become South Yemen, is created as a protectorate of the United Kingdom. Wikipedia ↗
1953 — U.S.President Dwight D. Eisenhower denies all appeals for clemency for Julius and Ethel Rosenberg. Wikipedia ↗
1953 — The Soviet Union breaks off diplomatic relations with Israel. Wikipedia ↗
1943 — World War II: General Dwight D. Eisenhower is selected to command the allied armies in Europe. Wikipedia ↗
1939 — A Lockheed P-38 Lightning flies from California to New York in 7 hours 2 minutes. Wikipedia ↗
1938 — BBC Television produces the world's first ever science fiction television program, an adaptation of a section of the Karel Čapek play R.U.R., that coined the term "robot". Wikipedia ↗
1937 — A sit-down strike ends when General Motors recognizes the United Auto Workers. Wikipedia ↗
1929 — Kingdom of Italy and the Vatican sign the Lateran Treaty. Wikipedia ↗
1919 — Friedrich Ebert (SPD), is elected President of Germany. Wikipedia ↗
1906 — Pope Pius X publishes the encyclical Vehementer Nos. Wikipedia ↗
1903 — Anton Bruckner's 9th Symphony receives its first performance in Vienna, Austria. Wikipedia ↗
1889 — Meiji Constitution of Japan is adopted; the first National Diet convenes in 1890. Wikipedia ↗
1873 — King Amadeo I of Spain abdicates. Wikipedia ↗
1861 — American Civil War: The United States House of Representatives unanimously passes a resolution guaranteeing noninterference with slavery in any state. Wikipedia ↗
1858 — Bernadette Soubirous's first vision of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Lourdes, France. Wikipedia ↗
1856 — The Kingdom of Awadh is annexed by the British East India Company and Wajid Ali Shah, the king of Awadh, is imprisoned and later exiled to Calcutta. Wikipedia ↗
1855 — Kassa Hailu is crowned Tewodros II, Emperor of Ethiopia, by Abuna Salama III in a ceremony at the church of Derasge Maryam Wikipedia ↗
1843 — Giuseppe Verdi's opera I Lombardi alla prima crociata receives its first performance in Milan, Italy. Wikipedia ↗
1840 — Gaetano Donizetti's opera La fille du régiment receives its first performance in Paris, France. Wikipedia ↗
1826 — University College London is founded as University of London. Wikipedia ↗
1823 — Carnival tragedy of 1823: About 110 boys are killed during a stampede at the Convent of the Minori Osservanti in Valletta, Malta. Wikipedia ↗
1812 — Massachusetts governor Elbridge Gerry is accused of "gerrymandering" for the first time. Wikipedia ↗
1808 — Jesse Fell burns anthracite on an open grate as an experiment in heating homes with coal. Wikipedia ↗
1794 — First session of United States Senate opens to the public. Wikipedia ↗
1790 — The Religious Society of Friends, also known as Quakers, petitions U.S. Congress for the abolition of slavery. Wikipedia ↗
1659 — The assault on Copenhagen by Swedish forces is beaten back with heavy losses. Wikipedia ↗
1626 — Emperor Susenyos I of Ethiopia and Patriarch Afonso Mendes declare the primacy of the Roman See over the Ethiopian Church, and Catholicism to be the state religion of Ethiopia. Wikipedia ↗
1534 — Henry VIII of England is recognized as supreme head of the Church of England. Wikipedia ↗
1177 — John de Courcy's army defeats the native Dunleavey Clan in Ulster. The English establish themselves in Ulster. Wikipedia ↗
244 — Emperor Gordian III is murdered by mutinous soldiers in Zaitha (Mesopotamia). A mound is raised at Carchemish in his memory. Wikipedia ↗
Traditional date for the foundation of Japan by Emperor Jimmu. Wikipedia ↗
Tiberius Claudius Caesar Britannicus, heir to the Roman emperorship, dies under mysterious circumstances in Rome. This clears the way for Nero to become Emperor. Wikipedia ↗

🎂 Notable Births on February 11

1996 — Jonathan Tah, German footballer Wikipedia ↗
1995 — Yang Zhaoxuan, Chinese tennis player Wikipedia ↗
1993 — Ben McLemore, American basketball player Wikipedia ↗
1993 — Saana Saarteinen, Finnish tennis player Wikipedia ↗
1992 — Lasse Norman Hansen, Danish track and road cyclist Wikipedia ↗
1992 — Taylor Lautner, American actor, model and martial artist Wikipedia ↗
1991 — Hwang Chansung, South Korean singer-songwriter Wikipedia ↗
1991 — Georgia May Foote, English actress Wikipedia ↗
1991 — Nikola Mirotic, Spanish basketball player Wikipedia ↗
1990 — Javier Aquino, Mexican footballer Wikipedia ↗
1989 — Alexander Büttner, Dutch footballer Wikipedia ↗
1988 — Vlad Moldoveanu, Romanian basketball player Wikipedia ↗
1987 — Luca Antonelli, Italian footballer Wikipedia ↗
1987 — José Callejón, Spanish footballer Wikipedia ↗
1987 — Juanmi Callejón, Spanish footballer Wikipedia ↗
1987 — Ebba Busch Thor, Swedish politician Wikipedia ↗
1987 — Brian Matusz, American baseball player Wikipedia ↗
1987 — Jan Smeekens, Dutch speed skater Wikipedia ↗
1987 — Ellen van Dijk, Dutch cyclist Wikipedia ↗
1986 — Abu Omar al-Shishani, Georgian commander (d. 2016) Wikipedia ↗
1986 — Robin Hawkins, Welsh singer and bass player Wikipedia ↗
1986 — Kees Luyckx, Dutch footballer Wikipedia ↗
1985 — William Beckett, American singer-songwriter and guitarist (The Academy Is...) Wikipedia ↗
1985 — Mike Richards, Canadian ice hockey player Wikipedia ↗
1984 — Maarten Heisen, Dutch sprinter Wikipedia ↗
1984 — Marco Marcato, Italian cyclist Wikipedia ↗
1984 — Aubrey O'Day, American singer-songwriter, dancer, and actress Wikipedia ↗
1984 — Maxime Talbot, Canadian ice hockey player Wikipedia ↗
1983 — Rafael van der Vaart, Dutch footballer Wikipedia ↗
1982 — Christian Maggio, Italian footballer Wikipedia ↗
1982 — Natalie Dormer, English actress Wikipedia ↗
1982 — Ľubomíra Kalinová, Slovak biathlete Wikipedia ↗
1982 — Neil Robertson, Australian snooker player Wikipedia ↗
1981 — Kelly Rowland, American singer-songwriter, dancer, and actress Wikipedia ↗
1979 — Brandy Norwood, American singer-songwriter, producer, and actress Wikipedia ↗
1977 — Ioannis Okkas, Cypriot footballer and manager Wikipedia ↗
1977 — Mike Shinoda, American singer-songwriter, guitarist, and producer Wikipedia ↗
1976 — Tony Battie, American basketball player and sportscaster Wikipedia ↗
1976 — Peter Hayes, American singer and guitarist Wikipedia ↗
1975 — Andy Lally, American racing driver Wikipedia ↗
1975 — Callum Thorp, Australian cricketer Wikipedia ↗
1975 — Jacque Vaughn, American basketball player and coach Wikipedia ↗
1974 — Zain Verjee, Kenyan-Canadian journalist Wikipedia ↗
1974 — D'Angelo, American singer-songwriter, guitarist, and producer Wikipedia ↗
1974 — Nick Barmby, English footballer and manager Wikipedia ↗
1974 — Isaiah Mustafa, American football player and actor Wikipedia ↗
1974 — Jaroslav Špaček, Czech ice hockey player and coach Wikipedia ↗
1973 — Hernandez, American wrestler and promoter Wikipedia ↗
1973 — Varg Vikernes, Norwegian guitarist and songwriter Wikipedia ↗
1972 — Steve McManaman, English footballer Wikipedia ↗
1972 — Bernd Meier, German footballer and coach (d. 2012) Wikipedia ↗
1971 — Damian Lewis, English actor Wikipedia ↗
1970 — Fredrik Thordendal, Swedish guitarist and songwriter Wikipedia ↗
1969 — Jennifer Aniston, American actress and producer Wikipedia ↗
1969 — Andreas Hilfiker, Swiss footballer Wikipedia ↗
1969 — John Salako, Nigerian-English footballer, manager, and sportscaster Wikipedia ↗
1968 — Mo Willems, American author and illustrator Wikipedia ↗
1967 — Hank Gathers, American basketball player (d. 1990) Wikipedia ↗
1967 — Paul McLoone, Irish singer, former radio producer, radio presenter, and voice actor Wikipedia ↗
1967 — Ty Treadway, American actor and talk show host Wikipedia ↗
1966 — Dieudonné M'bala M'bala, French comedian, actor, and activist Wikipedia ↗
1965 — Vicki Wilson, Australian netball player and coach Wikipedia ↗
1964 — Adrian Hasler, Liechtensteiner police officer and politician, 13th Prime Minister of Liechtenstein Wikipedia ↗
1964 — Sarah Palin, American journalist and politician, 9th Governor of Alaska Wikipedia ↗
1964 — Ken Shamrock, American martial artist and wrestler Wikipedia ↗
1963 — José Mari Bakero, Spanish footballer and manager Wikipedia ↗
1962 — Tammy Baldwin, American lawyer and politician Wikipedia ↗
1962 — Sheryl Crow, American singer-songwriter, guitarist, and actress Wikipedia ↗
1962 — Bestia Salvaje, Mexican wrestler (d. 2008) Wikipedia ↗
1961 — Carey Lowell, American model and actress Wikipedia ↗
1960 — Momus, Scottish-Japanese author, journalist, and songwriter Wikipedia ↗
1960 — Richard Mastracchio, American engineer and astronaut Wikipedia ↗
1959 — Deborah Meaden, English businesswoman Wikipedia ↗
1959 — Roberto Moreno, Brazilian race car driver Wikipedia ↗
1959 — Marzieh Vahid-Dastjerdi, Iranian educator and politician, Iranian Minister of Health Wikipedia ↗
1958 — Pepu Hernández, Spanish professional basketball coach Wikipedia ↗
1957 — Tina Ambani, Indian actress Wikipedia ↗
1957 — Peter Klashorst, Dutch painter, sculptor, and photographer Wikipedia ↗
1957 — Mitchell Symons, English author and journalist Wikipedia ↗
1956 — Catherine Hickland, American actress Wikipedia ↗
1956 — Didier Lockwood, French violinist (Magma) Wikipedia ↗
1956 — H.R., American punk rock singer-songwriter (Bad Brains) Wikipedia ↗
1955 — Warren Boland, Australian rugby league player and sportscaster Wikipedia ↗
1954 — Wesley Strick, American director and screenwriter Wikipedia ↗
1953 — Philip Anglim, American actor Wikipedia ↗
1953 — Jeb Bush, American banker and politician, 43rd Governor of Florida Wikipedia ↗
1953 — Tom Veryzer, American baseball player (d. 2014) Wikipedia ↗
1951 — Mike Leavitt, American politician, 14th Governor of Utah Wikipedia ↗
1948 — Al Johnson, American singer-songwriter and producer (d. 2013) Wikipedia ↗
1948 — Yoshihito, Prince Katsura of Japan (d. 2014) Wikipedia ↗
1947 — Yukio Hatoyama, Japanese engineer and politician, 60th Prime Minister of Japan Wikipedia ↗
1947 — Johnny Manahan, Filipino actor, director, and screenwriter Wikipedia ↗
1947 — Derek Shulman, Scottish singer-songwriter and producer Wikipedia ↗
1946 — Pierre Curzi, Canadian actor, screenwriter, and politician Wikipedia ↗
1946 — Ian Porterfield, Scottish-English footballer and manager (d. 2007) Wikipedia ↗
1945 — Burhan Ghalioun, Syrian academic and politician Wikipedia ↗
1944 — Mike Oxley, American lawyer and politician (d. 2016) Wikipedia ↗
1944 — Joy Williams, American novelist, short story writer, and essayist Wikipedia ↗
1943 — Joselito, Spanish singer and actor Wikipedia ↗
1943 — Serge Lama, French singer-songwriter Wikipedia ↗
1943 — Alan Rubin, American trumpet player (d. 2011) Wikipedia ↗
1943 — Stan Szelest, American keyboard player (d. 1991) Wikipedia ↗
1942 — Otis Clay, American singer-songwriter (d. 2016) Wikipedia ↗
1941 — Sérgio Mendes, Brazilian pianist and composer Wikipedia ↗
1940 — Mick Staton, American soldier and politician (d. 2014) Wikipedia ↗
1939 — Gerry Goffin, American songwriter (d. 2014) Wikipedia ↗
1938 — Bevan Congdon, New Zealand cricketer Wikipedia ↗
1937 — Bill Lawry, Australian cricketer and sportscaster Wikipedia ↗
1937 — Eddie Shack, Canadian ice hockey player Wikipedia ↗
1937 — Phillip Walker, American singer and guitarist (d. 2010) Wikipedia ↗
1936 — Burt Reynolds, American actor and director Wikipedia ↗
1935 — Gene Vincent, American singer and guitarist (d. 1971) Wikipedia ↗
1934 — Mel Carnahan, American lieutenant, lawyer, and politician, 51st Governor of Missouri (d. 2000) Wikipedia ↗
1934 — Tina Louise, American actress and singer Wikipedia ↗
1934 — Manuel Noriega, Panamanian general and politician, Military Leader of Panama (d. 2017) Wikipedia ↗
1934 — Mary Quant, British fashion designer Wikipedia ↗
1934 — John Surtees, English motorcycle racer and race car driver (d. 2017) Wikipedia ↗
1934 — David Taylor, English veterinarian and television host (d. 2013) Wikipedia ↗
1932 — Dennis Skinner, English miner and politician Wikipedia ↗
1930 — Roy De Forest, American painter and academic (d. 2007) Wikipedia ↗
1928 — Ivan Hutchinson, Australian film critic and author (d. 1995) Wikipedia ↗
1927 — Sinclair Stevens, Canadian businessman, lawyer, and politician (d. 2016) Wikipedia ↗
1926 — Paul Bocuse, French chef Wikipedia ↗
1926 — Leslie Nielsen, Canadian-American actor and producer (d. 2010) Wikipedia ↗
1925 — Virginia E. Johnson, American psychologist and academic (d. 2013) Wikipedia ↗
1925 — Kim Stanley, American actress (d. 2001) Wikipedia ↗
1924 — Budge Patty, American tennis player Wikipedia ↗
1923 — Antony Flew, English philosopher and academic (d. 2010) Wikipedia ↗
1921 — Lloyd Bentsen, American colonel and politician, 69th United States Secretary of the Treasury (d. 2006) Wikipedia ↗
1921 — Ottavio Missoni, Italian hurdler and fashion designer, founded Missoni (d. 2013) Wikipedia ↗
1921 — Edward Seidensticker, American scholar and translator (d. 2007) Wikipedia ↗
1920 — Farouk of Egypt (d. 1965) Wikipedia ↗
1920 — Daniel F. Galouye, American author (d. 1976) Wikipedia ↗
1920 — Billy Halop, American actor (d. 1976) Wikipedia ↗
1920 — Dorothea Krook-Gilead, Latvian-South African author and translator (d. 1989) Wikipedia ↗
1920 — Daniel James, Jr., American general and pilot (d. 1978) Wikipedia ↗
1919 — Eva Gabor, Hungarian-American actress, socialite and businesswoman (d. 1995) Wikipedia ↗
1917 — Sidney Sheldon, American author and screenwriter (d. 2007) Wikipedia ↗
1915 — Patrick Leigh Fermor, English soldier, author, and scholar (d. 2011) Wikipedia ↗
1915 — Richard Hamming, American mathematician and academic (d. 1998) Wikipedia ↗
1914 — Matt Dennis, American singer-songwriter and pianist (d. 2002) Wikipedia ↗
1914 — Josh White, American blues singer-songwriter, guitarist, actor, and activist (d. 1969) Wikipedia ↗
1912 — Rudolf Firkušný, Czech-American pianist and educator (d. 1994) Wikipedia ↗
1909 — Max Baer, American boxer and actor (d. 1959) Wikipedia ↗
1909 — Joseph L. Mankiewicz, American director, producer, and screenwriter (d. 1993) Wikipedia ↗
1908 — Philip Dunne, American director, producer, and screenwriter (d. 1992) Wikipedia ↗
1908 — Vivian Fuchs, English geologist and explorer (d. 1999) Wikipedia ↗
1904 — Keith Holyoake, New Zealand farmer and politician, 26th Prime Minister of New Zealand (d. 1983) Wikipedia ↗
1902 — Arne Jacobsen, Danish architect, designed Aarhus City Hall and Radisson Blu Royal Hotel (d. 1971) Wikipedia ↗
1900 — Ellen Broe, Danish nurse, pioneer in nursing education (d. 1994) [1] Wikipedia ↗