📅 On This Day in History

What Happened on January 11th in History

60 historical events on this date

1917

The Kingsland munitions factory explosion occurs, possibly as a result of German sabotage.

The Kingsland explosion was an incident that took place during World War I at a munitions factory in Lyndhurst, New Jersey, U.S., on January 11, 1917. An arbitration commission in 1931 determined...

1917

The Kingsland munitions factory explosion occurs, possibly as a result of German sabotage.

The Kingsland explosion was an incident that took place during World War I at a munitions factory in Lyndhurst, New Jersey, U.S., on January 11, 1917. An arbitration commission in 1931 determined...

1922

Leonard Thompson becomes the first person to be injected with insulin.

Leonard Thompson was the first person to have received an injection of insulin as a treatment for type 1 diabetes.

1922

Leonard Thompson becomes the first person to be injected with insulin.

Leonard Thompson was the first person to have received an injection of insulin as a treatment for type 1 diabetes.

1923

Occupation of the Ruhr: Troops from France and Belgium occupy the Ruhr area to force Germany to make its World War I reparation payments.

The occupation of the Ruhr was the period from 11 January 1923 to 25 August 1925 when French and Belgian troops occupied the Ruhr region of Germany.

1923

Occupation of the Ruhr: Troops from France and Belgium occupy the Ruhr area to force Germany to make its World War I reparation payments.

The occupation of the Ruhr was the period from 11 January 1923 to 25 August 1925 when French and Belgian troops occupied the Ruhr region of Germany.

1927

Louis B. Mayer, head of film studio Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM), announces the creation of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, at a banquet in Los Angeles, California.

Louis Burt Mayer was a Canadian-American film producer and co-founder of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer studios (MGM) in 1924. Under Mayer's management, MGM became the film industry's most prestigious movie...

1927

Louis B. Mayer, head of film studio Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM), announces the creation of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, at a banquet in Los Angeles, California.

Louis Burt Mayer was a Canadian-American film producer and co-founder of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer studios (MGM) in 1924. Under Mayer's management, MGM became the film industry's most prestigious movie...

1935

Amelia Earhart becomes the first person to fly solo from Hawaii to California.

Amelia Mary Earhart was an American aviator and aviation pioneer who became one of the most celebrated figures of early flight.

1935

Amelia Earhart becomes the first person to fly solo from Hawaii to California.

Amelia Mary Earhart was an American aviator and aviation pioneer who became one of the most celebrated figures of early flight.

1942

World War II: Japanese forces capture Kuala Lumpur, the capital of the Federated Malay States.

World War II, or the Second World War, was a global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies and the Axis powers. Nearly all of the world's countries participated. Tanks and aircraft played major...

1942

World War II: Japanese forces attack Tarakan in Borneo, Netherlands Indies (Battle of Tarakan)

Tarakan is an island and co-extensively the sole city within the Indonesian province of North Kalimantan. The island city is the largest urban area in North Kalimantan population-wise and is located...

1942

World War II: Japanese forces capture Kuala Lumpur, the capital of the Federated Malay States.

World War II, or the Second World War, was a global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies and the Axis powers. Nearly all of the world's countries participated. Tanks and aircraft played major...

1942

World War II: Japanese forces attack Tarakan in Borneo, Netherlands Indies (Battle of Tarakan)

Tarakan is an island and co-extensively the sole city within the Indonesian province of North Kalimantan. The island city is the largest urban area in North Kalimantan population-wise and is located...

1943

The Republic of China agrees to the Sino-British New Equal Treaty and the Sino-American New Equal Treaty.

The Republic of China established its rule over Mainland China on 1 January 1912 following the Xinhai Revolution, which overthrew the Manchu-led Qing dynasty and ended China's imperial history. The...

1943

Italian-American anarchist Carlo Tresca is assassinated in New York City.

Carlo Tresca was an Italian-American dissident, newspaper editor, orator, and labor organizer and activist who was a leader of the Industrial Workers of the World during the 1910s. He is remembered...

1943

The Republic of China agrees to the Sino-British New Equal Treaty and the Sino-American New Equal Treaty.

The Republic of China established its rule over Mainland China on 1 January 1912 following the Xinhai Revolution, which overthrew the Manchu-led Qing dynasty and ended China's imperial history. The...

1943

Italian-American anarchist Carlo Tresca is assassinated in New York City.

Carlo Tresca was an Italian-American dissident, newspaper editor, orator, and labor organizer and activist who was a leader of the Industrial Workers of the World during the 1910s. He is remembered...

1946

Enver Hoxha, Secretary General of the Communist Party of Albania, declares the People's Republic of Albania with himself as head of state.

Enver Halil Hoxha was an Albanian communist revolutionary, statesman, and political theorist who was the leader of Albania from 1944 until his death in 1985. He was the First Secretary of the Party...

1946

Enver Hoxha, Secretary General of the Communist Party of Albania, declares the People's Republic of Albania with himself as head of state.

Enver Halil Hoxha was an Albanian communist revolutionary, statesman, and political theorist who was the leader of Albania from 1944 until his death in 1985. He was the First Secretary of the Party...

1949

The first "networked" television broadcasts took place as KDKA-TV in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania goes on the air connecting the east coast and mid-west programming.

KDKA-TV, branded CBS Pittsburgh, is a television station in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States. It is owned and operated by the CBS television network through its CBS News and Stations...

1949

The first "networked" television broadcasts took place as KDKA-TV in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania goes on the air connecting the east coast and mid-west programming.

KDKA-TV, branded CBS Pittsburgh, is a television station in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States. It is owned and operated by the CBS television network through its CBS News and Stations...

1957

The African Convention is founded in Dakar, Senegal.

African Convention was a political party in French West Africa, originally formed at a meeting in Dakar on 11 January 1957. The CA consisted of the Senegalese Popular Bloc (BPS) of Léopold Sédar...

1957

The African Convention is founded in Dakar, Senegal.

African Convention was a political party in French West Africa, originally formed at a meeting in Dakar on 11 January 1957. The CA consisted of the Senegalese Popular Bloc (BPS) of Léopold Sédar...

1959

36 people are killed when Lufthansa Flight 502 crashes on approach to Rio de Janeiro/Galeão International Airport in Brazil.

Lufthansa Flight 502 was a scheduled flight from Hamburg, Germany to Buenos Aires, Argentina on 11 January 1959. The flight was being operated by a Lockheed L-1049G Super Constellation. On the leg...

1959

36 people are killed when Lufthansa Flight 502 crashes on approach to Rio de Janeiro/Galeão International Airport in Brazil.

Lufthansa Flight 502 was a scheduled flight from Hamburg, Germany to Buenos Aires, Argentina on 11 January 1959. The flight was being operated by a Lockheed L-1049G Super Constellation. On the leg...

1961

Throgs Neck Bridge over the East River, linking New York City's boroughs of The Bronx and Queens, opens to road traffic.

The Throgs Neck Bridge is a suspension bridge in New York City, carrying six lanes of Interstate 295 (I-295) over the East River where it meets the Long Island Sound. The bridge connects the Throggs...

1961

Throgs Neck Bridge over the East River, linking New York City's boroughs of The Bronx and Queens, opens to road traffic.

The Throgs Neck Bridge is a suspension bridge in New York City, carrying six lanes of Interstate 295 (I-295) over the East River where it meets the Long Island Sound. The bridge connects the Throggs...

1962

Cold War: While tied to its pier in Polyarny, the Soviet submarine B-37 is destroyed when fire breaks out in its torpedo compartment.

The Cold War was a period of international geopolitical rivalry between the United States (US) and the Soviet Union (USSR) and their respective allies, the capitalist Western Bloc and communist...

1962

An avalanche on Huascarán in Peru causes around 4,000 deaths.

Huascarán, Nevado Huascarán or Mataraju is a mountain located in Yungay Province, Ancash Department, Peru. It is situated in the Cordillera Blanca range of the western Andes. The southern summit of...

1962

Cold War: While tied to its pier in Polyarny, the Soviet submarine B-37 is destroyed when fire breaks out in its torpedo compartment.

The Cold War was a period of international geopolitical rivalry between the United States (US) and the Soviet Union (USSR) and their respective allies, the capitalist Western Bloc and communist...

1962

An avalanche on Huascarán in Peru causes around 4,000 deaths.

Huascarán, Nevado Huascarán or Mataraju is a mountain located in Yungay Province, Ancash Department, Peru. It is situated in the Cordillera Blanca range of the western Andes. The southern summit of...

1964

Surgeon General of the United States Dr. Luther Terry, M.D., publishes the landmark report Smoking and Health: Report of the Advisory Committee to the Surgeon General of the Public Health Service saying that smoking may be hazardous to health, sparking national and worldwide anti-smoking efforts.

The surgeon general of the United States is the operational head of the United States Public Health Service Commissioned Corps (PHSCC) and thus a leading spokesperson on matters of public health in...

1964

Surgeon General of the United States Dr. Luther Terry, M.D., publishes the landmark report Smoking and Health: Report of the Advisory Committee to the Surgeon General of the Public Health Service saying that smoking may be hazardous to health, sparking national and worldwide anti-smoking efforts.

The surgeon general of the United States is the operational head of the United States Public Health Service Commissioned Corps (PHSCC) and thus a leading spokesperson on matters of public health in...

1966

The Tbilisi Metro is opened.

The Tbilisi Metro is a rapid transit system in the Georgian capital Tbilisi. Opened on 11 January 1966, it was the fourth metro system in the former Soviet Union. Like other ex-Soviet metros, most...

1966

The Tbilisi Metro is opened.

The Tbilisi Metro is a rapid transit system in the Georgian capital Tbilisi. Opened on 11 January 1966, it was the fourth metro system in the former Soviet Union. Like other ex-Soviet metros, most...

1972

East Pakistan renames itself Bangladesh.

East Pakistan was the eastern province of Pakistan between 1956 and 1971, restructured and renamed from the province of East Bengal and covering the territory of the modern country of Bangladesh....

1972

East Pakistan renames itself Bangladesh.

East Pakistan was the eastern province of Pakistan between 1956 and 1971, restructured and renamed from the province of East Bengal and covering the territory of the modern country of Bangladesh....

1973

Major League Baseball owners vote in approval of the American League adopting the designated hitter position.

Major League Baseball (MLB) is a professional baseball league in North America composed of 30 teams, divided equally between the National League (NL) and the American League (AL), with 29 in the...

1973

Major League Baseball owners vote in approval of the American League adopting the designated hitter position.

Major League Baseball (MLB) is a professional baseball league in North America composed of 30 teams, divided equally between the National League (NL) and the American League (AL), with 29 in the...

1977

The first episode of Finnish children's TV show Pikku Kakkonen ("Little Number Two") is aired on Yle TV2.

Pikku Kakkonen is an ongoing Finnish magazine-type children's TV show shown on Yle TV2. The first episode aired on 11 January 1977. It finished with a bedtime story read by the late Lasse Pöysti...

1977

The first episode of Finnish children's TV show Pikku Kakkonen ("Little Number Two") is aired on Yle TV2.

Pikku Kakkonen is an ongoing Finnish magazine-type children's TV show shown on Yle TV2. The first episode aired on 11 January 1977. It finished with a bedtime story read by the late Lasse Pöysti...

1983

United Airlines Flight 2885 crashes after takeoff from Detroit Metropolitan Airport, killing three.

United Airlines Flight 2885 was a scheduled cargo flight from Cleveland to Los Angeles, with stopover in Detroit. On January 11, 1983, a DC-8 operating as Flight 2885 crashed after take-off from...

1983

United Airlines Flight 2885 crashes after takeoff from Detroit Metropolitan Airport, killing three.

United Airlines Flight 2885 was a scheduled cargo flight from Cleveland to Los Angeles, with stopover in Detroit. On January 11, 1983, a DC-8 operating as Flight 2885 crashed after take-off from...

1986

The Gateway Bridge, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia is officially opened.

The Sir Leo Hielscher Bridges, formerly and still collectively referred to as the Gateway Bridge, are a pair of twin road bridges that carry the Gateway Motorway (M1) over the Brisbane River,...

1986

The Gateway Bridge, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia is officially opened.

The Sir Leo Hielscher Bridges, formerly and still collectively referred to as the Gateway Bridge, are a pair of twin road bridges that carry the Gateway Motorway (M1) over the Brisbane River,...

1994

The Irish Government announces the end of a 15-year broadcasting ban on the IRA and its political arm Sinn Féin.

Ireland, also known as the Republic of Ireland, is a country in Northwestern Europe. It consists of 26 of the 32 counties of the island of Ireland, with a population of about 5.4 million. Its...

1994

The Irish Government announces the end of a 15-year broadcasting ban on the IRA and its political arm Sinn Féin.

Ireland, also known as the Republic of Ireland, is a country in Northwestern Europe. It consists of 26 of the 32 counties of the island of Ireland, with a population of about 5.4 million. Its...

1995

51 people are killed in a plane crash in María La Baja, Colombia.

Intercontinental de Aviación Flight 256 was a scheduled flight from El Dorado International Airport, Bogotá, on a service to Rafael Núñez International Airport, Cartagena, and San Andrés. On 11...

1995

51 people are killed in a plane crash in María La Baja, Colombia.

Intercontinental de Aviación Flight 256 was a scheduled flight from El Dorado International Airport, Bogotá, on a service to Rafael Núñez International Airport, Cartagena, and San Andrés. On 11...

1996

Space Shuttle program: STS-72 launches from the Kennedy Space Center marking the start of the 74th Space Shuttle mission and the 10th flight of Endeavour.

The Space Shuttle program was the fourth human spaceflight program carried out by the U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), which accomplished routine transportation for...

1996

Space Shuttle program: STS-72 launches from the Kennedy Space Center marking the start of the 74th Space Shuttle mission and the 10th flight of Endeavour.

The Space Shuttle program was the fourth human spaceflight program carried out by the U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), which accomplished routine transportation for...

1998

Over 100 people are killed in the Sidi-Hamed massacre in Algeria.

The Sidi-Hamed massacre took place on the night of January 11, 1998, in the town of Sidi-Hamed, 30 km south of Algiers. An estimated fifty gunmen participated, attacking children and adults; they...

1998

Over 100 people are killed in the Sidi-Hamed massacre in Algeria.

The Sidi-Hamed massacre took place on the night of January 11, 1998, in the town of Sidi-Hamed, 30 km south of Algiers. An estimated fifty gunmen participated, attacking children and adults; they...

2003

Illinois Governor George Ryan commutes the death sentences of 167 prisoners on Illinois's death row based on the Jon Burge scandal.

The governor of Illinois is the head of government of Illinois, and the various agencies and departments over which the officer has jurisdiction, as prescribed in the state constitution. It is a...

2003

Illinois Governor George Ryan commutes the death sentences of 167 prisoners on Illinois's death row based on the Jon Burge scandal.

The governor of Illinois is the head of government of Illinois, and the various agencies and departments over which the officer has jurisdiction, as prescribed in the state constitution. It is a...

2013

One French soldier and 17 militants are killed in a failed attempt to free a French hostage in Bulo Marer, Somalia.

On 11 January 2013, the French military launched an unsuccessful operation in Bulo Marer, Lower Shabelle, Somalia to rescue French hostage Denis Allex from the Islamic militant organization...

2013

One French soldier and 17 militants are killed in a failed attempt to free a French hostage in Bulo Marer, Somalia.

On 11 January 2013, the French military launched an unsuccessful operation in Bulo Marer, Lower Shabelle, Somalia to rescue French hostage Denis Allex from the Islamic militant organization...

2020

COVID-19 pandemic in Hubei: Municipal health officials in Wuhan announce the first recorded death from COVID-19.

The COVID-19 pandemic in Hubei was the first identified outbreak of the COVID-19 virus. It emerged as a cluster of mysterious pneumonia cases in Wuhan, the provincial capital of Hubei, China. A...

2020

COVID-19 pandemic in Hubei: Municipal health officials in Wuhan announce the first recorded death from COVID-19.

The COVID-19 pandemic in Hubei was the first identified outbreak of the COVID-19 virus. It emerged as a cluster of mysterious pneumonia cases in Wuhan, the provincial capital of Hubei, China. A...