From the archives
Classic headlineDrunk Gets Nine Months in Violin Case
Source: Classic headline (CJR 'Squad Helps Dog Bite Victim' collections)View clipping source
Monday 12 October 2026
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Today's curiosity
Its copper-based blood detects bacteria — and pharma bleeds it.
Read on CurioVault.co → Today's headlines
- Drunk Gets Nine Months in Violin CaseHall of Fame◆
- 1939PARDONED 'LIFER' IS ARRESTED AGAINThe New York Times◆
- 2025Trump defends Texas flood handling as disaster tests vow to shutter FemaThe Guardian◆
- 2015George Osborne is the master of all he surveys… except the economyThe Guardian◆
- 1864A riot broke out in Leicester, England, at the failed launching of a gas balloon (pictured).Wikipedia◆
- 1801French astronomer Jean-Louis Pons co-discovered the first of his 37 comets, more than any other person in history.Wikipedia◆
- 1801French astronomer Jean-Louis Pons makes his first comet discovery. In the next 27 years he discovers another 36 comets, more than any other person in history.Wikipedia◆
- 1897Salomon August Andrée leaves Spitsbergen to attempt to reach the North Pole by balloon.Wikipedia◆
- 1893The first cultured pearl is obtained by Kōkichi Mikimoto.Wikipedia◆
- 1804A duel occurs in which the Vice President of the United States Aaron Burr mortally wounds former Secretary of the Treasury Alexander Hamilton.Wikipedia◆
- 1735Mathematical calculations suggest that it is on this day that dwarf planet Pluto moved inside the orbit of Neptune for the last time before 1979.Wikipedia◆
- 1476Giuliano della Rovere is appointed bishop of Coutances.Wikipedia◆
- 1405Ming admiral Zheng He sets sail to explore the world for the first time.Wikipedia◆
- 2010Spain defeated the Netherlands 1–0 after extra time to win their first FIFA World Cup title (pictured lifting the trophy).Wikipedia◆
- Drunk Gets Nine Months in Violin CaseHall of Fame◆
- 1939PARDONED 'LIFER' IS ARRESTED AGAINThe New York Times◆
- 2025Trump defends Texas flood handling as disaster tests vow to shutter FemaThe Guardian◆
- 2015George Osborne is the master of all he surveys… except the economyThe Guardian◆
- 1864A riot broke out in Leicester, England, at the failed launching of a gas balloon (pictured).Wikipedia◆
- 1801French astronomer Jean-Louis Pons co-discovered the first of his 37 comets, more than any other person in history.Wikipedia◆
- 1801French astronomer Jean-Louis Pons makes his first comet discovery. In the next 27 years he discovers another 36 comets, more than any other person in history.Wikipedia◆
- 1897Salomon August Andrée leaves Spitsbergen to attempt to reach the North Pole by balloon.Wikipedia◆
- 1893The first cultured pearl is obtained by Kōkichi Mikimoto.Wikipedia◆
- 1804A duel occurs in which the Vice President of the United States Aaron Burr mortally wounds former Secretary of the Treasury Alexander Hamilton.Wikipedia◆
- 1735Mathematical calculations suggest that it is on this day that dwarf planet Pluto moved inside the orbit of Neptune for the last time before 1979.Wikipedia◆
- 1476Giuliano della Rovere is appointed bishop of Coutances.Wikipedia◆
- 1405Ming admiral Zheng He sets sail to explore the world for the first time.Wikipedia◆
- 2010Spain defeated the Netherlands 1–0 after extra time to win their first FIFA World Cup title (pictured lifting the trophy).Wikipedia◆
11 July in history
0 eventsEvents, inventions, discoveries and releases. Looking for people or sport? See , and below.
We are adding more verified events for this date - more coming soon.
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What happened on this day · Odd history for today
Vintage News — July 11
1864 Oddly trueA riot broke out in Leicester, England, at the failed launching of a gas balloon (pictured).
Read more →Source: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0
1801 First everFrench astronomer Jean-Louis Pons co-discovered the first of his 37 comets, more than any other person in history.
Read more →Source: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0
- 1801 First ever
French astronomer Jean-Louis Pons makes his first comet discovery. In the next 27 years he discovers another 36 comets, more than any other person in history.
Read more →Source: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0
1897 Oddly trueSalomon August Andrée leaves Spitsbergen to attempt to reach the North Pole by balloon.
Read more →Source: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0
1893 First everThe first cultured pearl is obtained by Kōkichi Mikimoto.
Read more →Source: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0
From The Guardian Archives — On This Day
2025The GuardianTrump defends Texas flood handling as disaster tests vow to shutter FemaSince disaster that has killed at least 120 people, US president has remained quiet about promises to axe relief agency
Read on The Guardian →
2015The GuardianGeorge Osborne is the master of all he surveys… except the economyThe chancellor delivered a budgetary masterclass in how to dish your opponents and discomfit your rivals
Read on The Guardian →- 1939The New York TimesPARDONED 'LIFER' IS ARRESTED AGAIN
Ruth St. Clair, diminutive 39-yearold shoplifter who was the first woman to be sentenced to life imprisonment under t…
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
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When was “French astronomer Jean-Louis Pons co-discovered the first of his 37 comets, more than any other person in history.” happening? Slide to your guess.
1950
Weird history, same day
- ???? First ever
French astronomer Jean-Louis Pons co-discovered the first of his 37 comets, more than any other person in history.
Read more →Source: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0
- 1801 First ever
French astronomer Jean-Louis Pons makes his first comet discovery. In the next 27 years he discovers another 36 comets, more than any other person in history.
Read more →Source: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0
- 1864 Oddly true
A riot broke out in Leicester, England, at the failed launching of a gas balloon (pictured).
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.
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Viewing 11 July — today is 12 October.
Born on this day
0No recorded births.
Died on this day
17 in the archiveFive infamous ends — executed, assassinated or murdered — drawn at random from the archive. All infamous ends →
Assassinated
1980Death
John Lennon dies
John Lennon, musician, died on this day in 1980. Assassinated in New York City. Remembered as: Co-lead vocalist and founder of The Beatles.
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.
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
1948Death
Death of Mahatma Gandhi
Mahatma Gandhi was assassinated in New Delhi by Nathuram Godse.
Famous birthdays
2 this weekToday · 11 July
No famous birthdays recorded for 11 July yet.
Coming up this week
Julius CaesarRoman general and dictator (100–44 BC)12 July · born -100
Adolf HitlerDictator of Germany from 1933 to 194517 July · born 1889
Day of Recognition11 July
World Population Day
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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 July.
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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