October 11 stands as a significant date in history, marked by a diverse array of events that shaped culture, politics, and science. From groundbreaking achievements to influential births, this day has witnessed moments that resonate across time. Whether it’s a pioneering spacewalk or a transformative television debut, the stories of October 11 offer a fascinating glimpse into the past, inviting further exploration of its lasting impact.
History
Major Historical Events
1884 – Eleanor Roosevelt’s Birth: On this day, Eleanor Roosevelt, one of the most influential First Ladies of the United States, was born in New York City.
She later became a prominent advocate for human rights, women’s issues, and social reforms, playing a key role in the creation of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights as a delegate to the United Nations.
1962 – Second Vatican Council Begins: Pope John XXIII convened the Second Vatican Council, also known as Vatican II, on October 11 in Rome.
This historic ecumenical council aimed to modernize the Catholic Church, addressing issues like liturgy, ecumenism, and the role of the Church in the modern world, leading to significant reforms over the next few years.
1975 – Saturday Night Live Premieres: The iconic American sketch comedy show “Saturday Night Live” aired its first episode on NBC on this date.
Created by Lorne Michaels, the show launched with host George Carlin and became a cultural institution, shaping comedy and pop culture for decades.
1984 – First American Woman Spacewalk: Astronaut Kathryn D. Sullivan made history on October 11 as the first American woman to perform a spacewalk during the Space Shuttle Challenger mission STS-41-G.
Her achievement marked a significant milestone in the history of women in space exploration.
2002 – Jimmy Carter Wins Nobel Peace Prize: Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize on this day for his decades of work in diplomacy, human rights advocacy, and conflict resolution.
This included his role in brokering the Camp David Accords between Egypt and Israel.
Famous Birthdays
1884 – Eleanor Roosevelt: Born on this day in New York City, Eleanor Roosevelt grew up to become a transformative First Lady, diplomat, and human rights activist whose work continues to inspire global change.
1966 – Luke Perry: American actor Luke Perry, best known for his role as Dylan McKay on the popular 1990s television series “Beverly Hills, 90210,” was born on October 11 in Mansfield, Ohio.
His charm and talent made him a teen idol of his era.
1976 – Emily Deschanel: Actress Emily Deschanel, recognized for her starring role as Dr. Temperance Brennan in the long-running TV series “Bones,” was born on this day in Los Angeles, California.
Her work has earned her a dedicated fan base.
1989 – Michelle Wie West: Professional golfer Michelle Wie West was born on October 11 in Honolulu, Hawaii.
She became one of the youngest players to compete in professional golf events, winning the U.S. Women’s Open in 2014 and inspiring a new generation of athletes.
Notable Deaths
1963 – Jean Cocteau: French poet, playwright, novelist, and filmmaker Jean Cocteau passed away on this day at the age of 74.
Known for his surrealist works like the film “Beauty and the Beast” (1946), his contributions to art and literature remain influential.
1985 – Orson Welles: The legendary American actor, director, and producer Orson Welles died on October 11 in Los Angeles, California, at the age of 70.
Renowned for his groundbreaking film “Citizen Kane,” Welles left an indelible mark on cinema history.
2008 – Jörg Haider: Austrian politician Jörg Haider, a controversial far-right figure who led the Freedom Party of Austria, died in a car accident on this day at the age of 58.
His political career sparked significant debate in Europe.
Today in Music History
1975 – Saturday Night Live’s Musical Debut: As “Saturday Night Live” premiered on this day, it also introduced its tradition of featuring live musical performances.
With Billy Preston and Janis Ian as the first musical guests, setting the stage for countless iconic performances over the years.
1980 – The Police Reach UK Chart Success: On October 11, The Police topped the UK Albums Chart with their album “Zenyatta Mondatta,” which included hits like “Don’t Stand So Close to Me.”
This cemented their status as one of the leading bands of the era.
1997 – Elton John’s Tribute to Princess Diana: Elton John’s re-recorded version of “Candle in the Wind,” a tribute to the late Princess Diana, held the number one spot on the Billboard Hot 100 on this day.
It became one of the best-selling singles of all time.
Today in Sports History
1925 – New York Giants Play First NFL Game: On October 11, the New York Giants played their first-ever game in the National Football League, losing to the Providence Steam Roller 14-0.
This marked the start of a storied franchise in American football.
1967 – World Series Milestone: The St. Louis Cardinals defeated the Boston Red Sox in Game 6 of the World Series on this day.
With pitcher Bob Gibson delivering a standout performance, paving the way for the Cardinals’ championship win the following day.
1981 – Marcus Allen’s College Football Record: USC running back Marcus Allen rushed for 233 yards against California on October 11.
This continued his incredible season that led to him winning the Heisman Trophy and setting an NCAA record for rushing yards.
2010 – Brett Favre’s Historic Touchdown: Minnesota Vikings quarterback Brett Favre threw his 500th career touchdown pass on this day against the New York Jets.
He became the first NFL player to reach this milestone during a Monday Night Football game.
Today in Military and Naval History
1776 – Battle of Valcour Island: During the American Revolutionary War, American forces under Benedict Arnold engaged British naval forces on Lake Champlain on October 11.
Though a tactical loss, the battle delayed British advances and bought critical time for the American cause.
1918 – U.S. Army’s First Gas Regiment: On this day during World War I, the U.S. Army established its first Chemical Warfare Service unit, known as the 1st Gas Regiment.
This was to counter the use of chemical weapons on the Western Front.
1942 – Battle of Cape Esperance: In a key naval engagement during World War II, U.S. forces defeated Japanese ships near Guadalcanal on October 11-12.
This marked an important victory in the Pacific Theater and boosted Allied morale.
Today in Tech and Science History
1984 – First American Woman Spacewalk: Kathryn D. Sullivan became the first American woman to perform a spacewalk on this day during the Space Shuttle Challenger mission.
She spent over three hours outside the spacecraft and advancing the role of women in space exploration.
2006 – Google Acquires YouTube: On October 11, Google announced its acquisition of the video-sharing platform YouTube for $1.65 billion.
This deal transformed online media and made YouTube a cornerstone of digital culture.
2012 – Nobel Prize for Physics Announced: The Nobel Prize in Physics was awarded on this day (though announced earlier in the week) to Serge Haroche and David J. Wineland.
They were recognized for their groundbreaking work in quantum optics, revolutionizing our understanding of quantum mechanics.
Today in Art, Literature, and Culture
1939 – Premiere of “The Man Who Came to Dinner”: The comedic play “The Man Who Came to Dinner” by George S. Kaufman and Moss Hart opened on Broadway on this day.
It became a classic of American theater with its sharp wit and memorable characters.
1963 – Death of Jean Cocteau: French surrealist artist and writer Jean Cocteau died on October 11.
He left behind a legacy of innovative works in film, poetry, and visual arts that continue to inspire creative minds.
1975 – “Saturday Night Live” Cultural Impact: The debut of “Saturday Night Live” on this day not only reshaped comedy but also became a cultural touchstone.
It influenced generations of writers, performers, and artists with its satirical take on society.
1987 – AIDS Quilt Displayed: The NAMES Project AIDS Memorial Quilt was displayed for the first time on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., on October 11.
This occurred during the National March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights, honoring thousands lost to the AIDS epidemic.
Funny & Weird Historical Facts
1890 – Daughters of the American Revolution Founded: On October 11, the Daughters of the American Revolution was established in Washington, D.C.
While a serious patriotic organization, early meetings reportedly included debates over whether tea or coffee best represented American independence—a quirky nod to Revolutionary history.
1976 – George Washington’s Posthumous Promotion: On this day, as part of the U.S. Bicentennial celebrations, Congress posthumously promoted George Washington to the rank of General of the Armies.
This ensured no one could ever outrank him—talk about a long-overdue raise!
1984 – Spacewalk with a Side of Humor: During Kathryn Sullivan’s historic spacewalk on October 11, her fellow astronauts jokingly asked if she could “pick up some space junk” while outside.
This lightened the mood of a tense and groundbreaking mission.
Today in History for Kids
1884 – Eleanor Roosevelt’s Birthday: A very special lady named Eleanor Roosevelt was born on this day.
She helped people all over the world by speaking up for fairness and kindness, even working with the United Nations to make sure everyone was treated equally.
1962 – A Big Meeting for the Church: A huge meeting called the Second Vatican Council started on October 11 in Rome.
It was like a giant discussion for the Catholic Church to figure out how to help people in new and modern ways.
1975 – Funny TV Show Begins: A super funny show called “Saturday Night Live” started on TV on this day.
It’s full of jokes, silly skits, and music, and it’s still making people laugh even now!
1984 – A Woman Walks in Space: Kathryn Sullivan became the first American woman to walk in space on October 11.
Imagine floating outside a spaceship with Earth far below—that’s what she did!
Today in History Trivia & Interesting Facts
Did You Know? – Oldest Spacewalker: During Kathryn Sullivan’s 1984 spacewalk on October 11, she wasn’t just breaking barriers for women.
She later became the oldest woman to dive to the deepest point on Earth, the Challenger Deep, in 2020 at age 68—an incredible feat across two frontiers.
Did You Know? – SNL’s Lasting Legacy: When “Saturday Night Live” premiered on October 11, 1975, few predicted it would still be running nearly 50 years later.
It has launched the careers of stars like Eddie Murphy, Tina Fey, and Will Ferrell.
Did You Know? – A Revolutionary Delay: The Battle of Valcour Island on October 11, 1776, wasn’t a win for the Americans.
It slowed down the British so much that they had to wait until the next year to attack again, giving the Patriots time to prepare.
Did You Know? – Carter’s Peace Efforts: Jimmy Carter, awarded the Nobel Peace Prize on October 11, 2002, was the first U.S. president to receive this honor after leaving office.
He was recognized for his tireless work in peace negotiations and humanitarian causes.
Did You Know? – YouTube’s Meteoric Rise: Google’s purchase of YouTube on October 11, 2006, came just 18 months after the site’s creation.
This turned a small startup into a global platform now watched by billions every day.