On May 11, history unfolds with a range of pivotal events that shaped nations and cultures. From political upheavals and significant statehoods to cultural milestones and technological triumphs, this date holds a diverse array of stories. Each event, whether a tragic loss or a groundbreaking achievement, offers a unique glimpse into the past. Curious about the specifics? There’s much more to uncover about this intriguing day.
History
Major Historical Events
1812 – Assassination of Spencer Perceval: On this day, British Prime Minister Spencer Perceval was assassinated by John Bellingham in the lobby of the House of Commons in London.
Perceval remains the only British Prime Minister to have been assassinated, and the event shocked the nation.
It occurred during a time of economic hardship and unrest following the Napoleonic Wars.
Bellingham, a merchant with grievances against the government, was later tried and executed for the crime.
1858 – Minnesota Becomes a State: Minnesota was admitted as the 32nd state of the United States on May 11, 1858.
Located in the Midwest, the state’s entry into the Union came after years of territorial organization.
It was influenced by its strategic position along the Mississippi River and its growing population of settlers.
1949 – Siam Officially Renamed Thailand: On May 11, 1949, the Southeast Asian nation of Siam officially changed its name to Thailand, a name meaning “Land of the Free.”
This change reflected a desire for modernization and national identity.
It occurred under the leadership of Field Marshal Plaek Phibunsongkhram, who sought to emphasize the country’s independence and cultural heritage.
1981 – Bob Marley’s Death Announced: Although reggae legend Bob Marley passed away on May 11, 1981, in Miami, Florida, his death was widely reported and mourned on this date.
Marley, a global icon for peace and unity, succumbed to cancer at the age of 36.
He left behind a profound legacy in music and social activism.
1997 – Deep Blue Defeats Garry Kasparov: In a historic moment for artificial intelligence, IBM’s computer Deep Blue defeated world chess champion Garry Kasparov on May 11, 1997, in a six-game match in New York City.
This marked the first time a computer had beaten a reigning world champion under standard chess tournament rules.
It signaled a new era in technology and gaming.
Famous Birthdays
1720 – Baron Munchausen: Born on May 11, 1720, in Bodenwerder, Germany, Karl Friedrich Hieronymus, better known as Baron Munchausen, became a legendary figure known for his exaggerated tales of adventure.
Though a real nobleman, his name became synonymous with fantastical storytelling after his exploits were fictionalized in literature.
1904 – Salvador Dalí: The iconic Spanish surrealist artist Salvador Dalí was born on May 11, 1904, in Figueres, Spain.
Known for his eccentric personality and groundbreaking works like “The Persistence of Memory,” Dalí became one of the most influential artists of the 20th century.
He blended dreamlike imagery with technical mastery.
1918 – Richard Feynman: American physicist Richard Feynman, a Nobel Prize winner for his contributions to quantum electrodynamics, was born on May 11, 1918, in New York City.
Renowned for his curiosity and teaching, Feynman also played a key role in the investigation of the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster.
1989 – Cam Newton: Professional American football quarterback Cam Newton was born on May 11, 1989, in Atlanta, Georgia.
A Heisman Trophy winner and NFL MVP, Newton made history with his dynamic playing style.
This was particularly during his tenure with the Carolina Panthers.
Notable Deaths
1778 – William Pitt, 1st Earl of Chatham: British statesman William Pitt, also known as Pitt the Elder, died on May 11, 1778, in Hayes, Kent, England.
A key figure in British politics, he played a major role in shaping the British Empire during the Seven Years’ War.
He was a staunch advocate for colonial rights.
1871 – John Herschel: English polymath Sir John Herschel, known for his contributions to astronomy, mathematics, and photography, passed away on May 11, 1871, in Collingwood, Kent, England.
He continued the work of his father, William Herschel, and made significant discoveries about the southern hemisphere’s stars.
1981 – Bob Marley: Jamaican reggae superstar Bob Marley died on May 11, 1981, in Miami, Florida, at the age of 36.
After battling cancer, Marley’s passing marked the loss of a cultural icon.
His music continues to inspire messages of love, resistance, and unity worldwide.
Today in Music History
1888 – Irving Berlin’s Birth: American composer and lyricist Irving Berlin, one of the most influential songwriters in history, was born on May 11, 1888, in Tyumen, Russia.
Known for timeless classics like “White Christmas” and “God Bless America,” Berlin’s work shaped the Great American Songbook.
1963 – The Beatles’ First Album Charts: On May 11, 1963, The Beatles’ debut album, “Please Please Me,” reached number one on the UK Albums Chart.
This marked the beginning of their meteoric rise to global fame.
The album featured hits like “Love Me Do” and set the stage for Beatlemania.
1981 – Bob Marley’s Legacy Remembered: Following his death on May 11, 1981, Bob Marley’s music saw a surge in worldwide attention.
Radio stations and fans paid tribute to the reggae pioneer.
His messages of peace and social justice resonated even more deeply after his passing.
Today in Sports History
1893 – First Bicycle Race in Japan: On May 11, 1893, the first recorded bicycle race in Japan took place in Yokohama.
This marked the growing popularity of cycling in the country.
The event showcased Western influence on Japanese sports during the Meiji era.
1997 – Garry Kasparov Loses to Deep Blue: On May 11, 1997, chess grandmaster Garry Kasparov was defeated by IBM’s Deep Blue computer in a landmark match.
This marked a significant moment in the intersection of sports and technology.
Artificial intelligence triumphed over human skill.
2011 – Lionel Messi’s Champions League Feat: On May 11, 2011, Lionel Messi scored twice in Barcelona’s 3-1 victory over Manchester United in the UEFA Champions League final at Wembley Stadium.
This cemented his status as one of the greatest footballers of all time.
2016 – Leicester City’s Premier League Celebration: On May 11, 2016, Leicester City celebrated their improbable English Premier League title with a parade through the city.
This was just days after clinching the championship.
Their victory remains one of the most remarkable underdog stories in sports history.
Today in Military and Naval History
1862 – Sinking of the CSS Virginia: During the American Civil War, on May 11, 1862, the Confederate ironclad CSS Virginia was scuttled by its crew near Craney Island, Virginia.
This was to prevent capture by Union forces.
It followed the famous Battle of Hampton Roads, where it clashed with the USS Monitor.
1943 – American Victory at Attu Island Begins: On May 11, 1943, U.S. forces began their campaign to recapture Attu Island in the Aleutian Islands from Japanese control during World War II.
The battle, though lesser-known, was a brutal and significant step in pushing back Japanese expansion in the Pacific.
1945 – End of the Prague Offensive: On May 11, 1945, the Soviet Red Army completed the Prague Offensive.
This liberated the city of Prague from Nazi control just days after the fall of Berlin.
It marked one of the final major operations of World War II in Europe.
Today in Tech and Science History
1857 – Indian Astronomer Discovers Comet: On May 11, 1857, Indian astronomer M. R. Kapoor reported the discovery of a comet, later cataloged as C/1857 M1.
This observation contributed to the growing global interest in astronomy during the 19th century.
1936 – First Radio Broadcast of a Sports Event in Japan: On May 11, 1936, Japan aired its first live radio broadcast of a sports event, a baseball game.
This marked an early milestone in the country’s adoption of broadcast technology for public entertainment.
1997 – Deep Blue’s Historic Chess Victory: On May 11, 1997, IBM’s Deep Blue computer defeated chess champion Garry Kasparov in a rematch.
It became the first computer to win a match against a world champion under standard rules.
This revolutionized the field of artificial intelligence.
Today in Art, Literature, and Culture
1904 – Salvador Dalí’s Birth: Spanish surrealist artist Salvador Dalí was born on May 11, 1904, in Figueres, Spain.
His imaginative works, such as melting clocks and dreamlike landscapes, became symbols of the surrealist movement.
They continue to captivate audiences worldwide.
1927 – Founding of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences: On May 11, 1927, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, the organization behind the Oscars, was founded in Hollywood.
This marked a pivotal moment in recognizing excellence in the burgeoning film industry.
1981 – Premiere of “Cats” Musical Announced: On May 11, 1981, Andrew Lloyd Webber’s musical “Cats” premiered at the New London Theatre in London.
It became one of the longest-running shows in West End and Broadway history.
The musical featured whimsical storytelling and memorable songs like “Memory.”
Funny & Weird Historical Facts
1811 – Chang and Eng Bunker Born: On May 11, 1811, conjoined twins Chang and Eng Bunker were born in Siam (now Thailand).
This gave rise to the term “Siamese twins.”
They became famous for their performances in circuses and lived remarkably full lives, even marrying and having children.
1930 – First Frozen Food Sold in the UK: On May 11, 1930, the first commercially frozen food went on sale in the United Kingdom.
This introduced a quirky new convenience to households.
It marked the beginning of a revolution in how people stored and prepared meals.
Today in History for Kids
1858 – Minnesota Joins the USA: Hey kids, did you know that on May 11, 1858, Minnesota became the 32nd state in the United States?
It’s known for its lakes and forests, and people call it the “Land of 10,000 Lakes.”
Imagine exploring all that nature!
1904 – Salvador Dalí’s Birthday: On May 11, 1904, a super creative artist named Salvador Dalí was born in Spain.
He painted weird and dreamy pictures, like clocks that looked like they were melting.
Have you ever drawn something totally wild like that?
1997 – A Computer Beats a Chess Champ: On May 11, 1997, a computer called Deep Blue beat the best chess player in the world, Garry Kasparov.
It was like a robot showing it could think like a human.
Pretty cool, right?
Today in History Trivia & Interesting Facts
1812 – Only British PM Assassinated: Did you know that Spencer Perceval, assassinated on May 11, 1812, is the only British Prime Minister to have been killed in office?
His death in the House of Commons remains a unique and tragic event in British political history.
1949 – Thailand’s Name Change: On May 11, 1949, the country of Siam changed its name to Thailand, which means “Land of the Free.”
This wasn’t the first time the name changed, but it became permanent after this date.
1981 – Bob Marley’s Global Impact: When Bob Marley passed away on May 11, 1981, his music was already loved worldwide.
His death made people appreciate his songs about peace and love even more.
His influence continues to grow decades later.
1997 – Chess and Computers Collide: The victory of Deep Blue over Garry Kasparov on May 11, 1997, wasn’t just a chess match.
It was a moment that showed how powerful computers could become.
This changed how we think about technology forever.