1847Invention
Thomas Edison born
Inventor Thomas Alva Edison was born in Milan, Ohio, holder of 1093 patents including light bulb and phonograph.
Monday 12 October 2026
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Coincidence Engine
Two medical milestones share this date — Nelson Mandela freed - also first woman doctor (1849) and Medical event - February 11 (1911), 62 years apart.
2 / 6 coincidences found today • Auto-spins every 7s
From CurioVault
Today's curiosity
Its copper-based blood detects bacteria — and pharma bleeds it.
Read on CurioVault.co → Today's headlines
- Milk Drinkers Are Turning to PowderHall of Fame◆
- 1887HIS SPREE INTERRUPTED.The New York Times◆
- 2019Iran's president calls Trump 'idiot' as crowds chant 'death to America'The Guardian◆
- 2017Your pictures: share your photos on the theme of 'fire'The Guardian◆
- 1858Bernadette Soubirous's first vision of the Blessed Virgin Mary occurs in Lourdes, France.Wikipedia◆
- 55The death under mysterious circumstances of Tiberius Claudius Caesar Britannicus, heir to the Roman Empire, on the eve of his coming of age clears the way for Nero to become Emperor.Wikipedia◆
- 1963The Beatles record their first album, Please Please Me.Wikipedia◆
- 1851As part of celebrations marking the separation of Victoria from New South Wales, the inaugural first-class cricket match in Australia began at the Launceston Racecourse in Tasmania.Wikipedia◆
- 1823Around 110 boys were killed in a human crush at the Convent of the Minori Osservanti (corridor pictured) in Valletta on the last day of the Maltese Carnival.Wikipedia◆
- 1584Spanish explorer Pedro Sarmiento de Gamboa founded the town of Nombre de Jesús, the first of two short-lived colonies at the Strait of Magellan.Wikipedia◆
- 1873King Amadeo I of Spain abdicates, triggering the proclamation of the First Spanish Republic.Wikipedia◆
- 1843Giuseppe Verdi's opera I Lombardi alla prima crociata receives its first performance in Milan, Italy.Wikipedia◆
- 1840Gaetano Donizetti's opera La fille du régiment receives its first performance in Paris, France.Wikipedia◆
- 1812Massachusetts governor Elbridge Gerry is accused of "gerrymandering" for the first time.Wikipedia◆
- Milk Drinkers Are Turning to PowderHall of Fame◆
- 1887HIS SPREE INTERRUPTED.The New York Times◆
- 2019Iran's president calls Trump 'idiot' as crowds chant 'death to America'The Guardian◆
- 2017Your pictures: share your photos on the theme of 'fire'The Guardian◆
- 1858Bernadette Soubirous's first vision of the Blessed Virgin Mary occurs in Lourdes, France.Wikipedia◆
- 55The death under mysterious circumstances of Tiberius Claudius Caesar Britannicus, heir to the Roman Empire, on the eve of his coming of age clears the way for Nero to become Emperor.Wikipedia◆
- 1963The Beatles record their first album, Please Please Me.Wikipedia◆
- 1851As part of celebrations marking the separation of Victoria from New South Wales, the inaugural first-class cricket match in Australia began at the Launceston Racecourse in Tasmania.Wikipedia◆
- 1823Around 110 boys were killed in a human crush at the Convent of the Minori Osservanti (corridor pictured) in Valletta on the last day of the Maltese Carnival.Wikipedia◆
- 1584Spanish explorer Pedro Sarmiento de Gamboa founded the town of Nombre de Jesús, the first of two short-lived colonies at the Strait of Magellan.Wikipedia◆
- 1873King Amadeo I of Spain abdicates, triggering the proclamation of the First Spanish Republic.Wikipedia◆
- 1843Giuseppe Verdi's opera I Lombardi alla prima crociata receives its first performance in Milan, Italy.Wikipedia◆
- 1840Gaetano Donizetti's opera La fille du régiment receives its first performance in Paris, France.Wikipedia◆
- 1812Massachusetts governor Elbridge Gerry is accused of "gerrymandering" for the first time.Wikipedia◆
Birthday twins
You share your birthday with...
Taylor Lautner1992- Jennifer Aniston1969
- Birth event - February 111911
11 February in history
6 eventsEvents, inventions, discoveries and releases. Looking for people or sport? See , and below.
1849Medical
Nelson Mandela freed - also first woman doctor
Elizabeth Blackwell became first woman to receive medical degree in US.
1911Battle
Battle event - February 11
Historic battle event recorded on this date in 1911, noted in contemporary archives as significant.
1911Invention
Invention event - February 11
Historic invention event recorded on this date in 1911, noted in contemporary archives as significant.
1911Medical
Medical event - February 11
Historic medical event recorded on this date in 1911, noted in contemporary archives as significant.
1911Tragedy
Tragedy event - February 11
Historic tragedy event recorded on this date in 1911, noted in contemporary archives as significant.
Showing 1-6 of 6 events
What happened on this day · Odd history for today
Vintage News — February 11
1858 First everBernadette Soubirous's first vision of the Blessed Virgin Mary occurs in Lourdes, France.
Read more →Source: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0
55 WeirdThe death under mysterious circumstances of Tiberius Claudius Caesar Britannicus, heir to the Roman Empire, on the eve of his coming of age clears the way for Nero to become Emperor.
Read more →Source: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0
1963 First everThe Beatles record their first album, Please Please Me.
Read more →Source: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0
1851 First everAs part of celebrations marking the separation of Victoria from New South Wales, the inaugural first-class cricket match in Australia began at the Launceston Racecourse in Tasmania.
Read more →Source: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0
1823 Oddly trueAround 110 boys were killed in a human crush at the Convent of the Minori Osservanti (corridor pictured) in Valletta on the last day of the Maltese Carnival.
Read more →Source: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0
From The Guardian Archives — On This Day
2019The GuardianIran's president calls Trump 'idiot' as crowds chant 'death to America'Hundreds of thousands of Iranians march through capital to mark 40th anniversary of Islamic revolution
Read on The Guardian →
2017The GuardianYour pictures: share your photos on the theme of 'fire'Wherever you are in the world, this week we’d like to see your pictures on the theme ‘fire’
Read on The Guardian →- 1887The New York TimesHIS SPREE INTERRUPTED.
CINCINNATI, Feb. 10.--A stranger was arrested and placed in jail last night at Lawrenceburg, Ind., for safe keeping.…
Read on NYTimes.com →
Headlines via The Guardian Open Platform · Historic front pages via the NYT Archive API
Facts from Wikipedia On This Day API (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Wikimedia. Thumbnails CC BY-SA. Headlines via The Guardian Open Platform and the NYT Archive API. Historic pages via Library of Congress Chronicling America. Curated by OddlyTrue.
Strange but true headlines of the day
OddlyTrue News Stand
From the archives
Classic headlineMilk Drinkers Are Turning to Powder
Source: Classic headline (CJR 'Squad Helps Dog Bite Victim' collections)View clipping source
Did you guess the year?
Streak 0 days Best 0
When was “Bernadette Soubirous's first vision of the Blessed Virgin Mary occurs in Lourdes, France.” happening? Slide to your guess.
1950
Weird history, same day
- ???? First ever
Bernadette Soubirous's first vision of the Blessed Virgin Mary occurs in Lourdes, France.
Read more →Source: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0
- 1963 First ever
The Beatles record their first album, Please Please Me.
Read more →Source: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0
- 55 Weird
The death under mysterious circumstances of Tiberius Claudius Caesar Britannicus, heir to the Roman Empire, on the eve of his coming of age clears the way for Nero to become Emperor.
Read more →Source: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0
Hall of Fame headlines are manually verified clippings (source linked); nothing is scraped from Newspapers.com. Facts from Wikipedia On This Day API (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Wikimedia. Clippings from the Library of Congress, Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers site.
Pick another date or enter your birthday (day + month only)
Viewing 11 February — today is 12 October.
Born on this day
31911Birth
Birth event - February 11
Historic birth event recorded on this date in 1911, noted in contemporary archives as significant.
1969Birth
Jennifer Aniston born
Jennifer Aniston was born. American actress.
1992Birth
Taylor Lautner born
Taylor Lautner was born. American actor.
Died on this day
17 in the archiveFive infamous ends — executed, assassinated or murdered — drawn at random from the archive. All infamous ends →
Accident
1997Death
Diana, Princess of Wales dies
Diana, Princess of Wales, member of british royal family, died on this day in 1997. Car crash in Paris. Remembered as: Global humanitarian and celebrated royal figure.
Suicide
1994Death
Kurt Cobain dies
Kurt Cobain, musician, died on this day in 1994. Suicide by gunshot. Remembered as: Frontman of Nirvana, voice of a generation.
Assassinated
1865Death
Abraham Lincoln dies
Abraham Lincoln, politician, died on this day in 1865. Assassinated by John Wilkes Booth. Remembered as: 16th President of the US, led the nation during the Civil War.
Suicide
2008Death
Heath Ledger dies
Heath Ledger, actor, died on this day in 2008. Accidental prescription drug overdose. Remembered as: Acclaimed performances, including the Joker in The Dark Knight.
Assassinated
44 BCDeath
Julius Caesar dies
Julius Caesar, roman general/statesman, died on this day in 44 BC. Assassinated by Roman senators. Remembered as: Critical role in the demise of the Roman Republic.
Famous birthdays
26 this weekToday · 11 February
- Taylor LautnerAmerican actor (born 1992)Born 1992 · 34 years ago today
- Jennifer AnistonAmerican actress (born 1969)Born 1969 · 57 years ago today
- BEBirth event - February 11Historic birth event recorded on this date in 1911, noted inBorn 1911 · 115 years ago today
Coming up this week
Christina RicciAmerican actress (born 1980)12 February · born 1980- BEBirth event - February 12Historic birth event recorded on this date in 1912, noted in12 February · born 1912
Charles DarwinEnglish naturalist and biologist (1809–1882)12 February · born 1809
Abraham LincolnPresident of the United States from 1861 to 186512 February · born 1809
Mena SuvariAmerican actress (born 1979)13 February · born 1979
Robbie WilliamsEnglish singer (born 1974)13 February · born 1974
Day of Recognition11 February
International Day of Women and Girls in Science
Promotes equal access and participation in science for women globally.
Music · No.1 on this day
What was topping the charts
The official No.1 singles and albums in the UK and the USA on this date, decade by decade.
2016 10 yrs ago
2006 20 yrs ago
1996 30 yrs ago
1986 40 yrs ago
1976 50 yrs ago
1966 60 yrs ago
1956 70 yrs ago
Sport on this day
0Finals, medals and records decided on 11 February.
No recorded sporting finals on this date yet.
Sporting almanac
Who was champion, 10, 25 and 50 years ago
World Cups, Olympics, Wimbledon, the Masters, Super Bowl and more — year by year since 1877.
2016 10 yrs ago
- Olympic GamesSummer Olympics in Rio
- WimbledonAndy Murray and Serena Williams win Wimbledon
- Super BowlDenver Broncos win Super Bowl 50
- Tour de FranceChris Froome wins the Tour de France
- The MastersDanny Willett wins the Masters
- World SeriesChicago Cubs win the World Series
2001 25 yrs ago
- WimbledonGoran Ivanisevic and Venus Williams win Wimbledon
- Super BowlBaltimore Ravens win Super Bowl XXXV
- The MastersTiger Woods wins the Masters
- World SeriesArizona Diamondbacks win the World Series
- NBA FinalsLos Angeles Lakers win the NBA Finals
- Stanley CupColorado Avalanche win the Stanley Cup
1976 50 yrs ago
- Olympic GamesSummer Olympics in Montreal
- Olympic GamesWinter Olympics in Innsbruck
- WimbledonBjorn Borg and Chris Evert win Wimbledon
- Super BowlPittsburgh Steelers win Super Bowl X
- Tour de FranceLucien Van Impe wins the Tour de France
- The MastersRaymond Floyd wins the Masters
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