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National days, ongoing national weeks and months, and global observances for August 11, 2026. Plus historical events and birthdays.
These observances last the full month; this date is part of that month-long celebration.
Showing the first 12 on this date; there are more month-long observances. See the full months list for August.
Events that occurred on August 11 throughout history
The Great Famine of Europe becomes so dire that the King of England had problems buying bread for himself and his entourage.
Francis II assumes the title of first Emperor of Austria in response to Napoleon Bonaparte crowning himself Emperor of the French earlier that year.
American troops enter the city of Mayagüez, Puerto Rico, to find the city was free of any Spanish Military.
Germany's Weimar Constitution is signed into law, establishing Germany's first parliamentary democracy. Guaranteed fundamental freedoms, which included voting rights for anyone over the age of 20, speech, religion, and assembly.
Babe Ruth becomes the first baseball player to hit 500 home runs during a game against the Cleveland Indians.
The first civilian prisoners arrive at the Federal prison on Alcatraz Island. The first group of 137 prisoners were transferred from Leavenworth Penitentiary in Kansas and considered the worse prisoners in the federal system.
Actress Hedy Lamarr and composer George Antheil receive a patent for a Frequency-hopping spread spectrum communication system. The patent would later become the basis for modern technologies in wireless telephones, two-way radio communications, and Wi-Fi.
Poles engage in a pogrom against Jews in Kraków. The event was the first major anti-Jewish riot in Poland after World War II.
The Watts Riots begin in the Watts area of Los Angeles, California, in response to the arrest of Marquette Frye for drunk driving. Frye resisted arrest and a confrontation occurred. The civil unrest lasted for six days, with 1,000 injured and 4,000 arrested.
The last U.S. ground combat unit leaves South Vietnam. The 3rd Battalion, 21st Infantry, officially ending active U.S. participation in the Vietnam War. However, thousands of support troops and advisors remained in Vietnam for another year.
DJ Kool Herc hosts a house party in an apartment building in The Bronx, New York. He demonstrates a new music called beat juggling, which is considered to mark the birthplace of hip-hop culture and rapping.
Sayyed Imam Al-Sharif, Osama bin Laden, Abdullah Yusuf Azzam, and leaders of Egyptian Islamic Jihad in Afghanistan began meeting over a period of time and eventually form the terrorist organization Al-Qaeda. The global terrorist organization is responsible for the 9/11 Terrorist Attacks on the U.S. and other violence against the U.S. across the world.
Doug, Rugrats, and Ren & Stimpy premiere on Nickelodeon. It was the first time the network began airing their own intellectual property and opened the door for other networks to do the same.
The Mall of America in Bloomington, Minnesota opens. It's considered to be the largest mall in the U.S. and the largest in the Western Hemisphere. Over 32 million people visit the mall annually.
NATO takes over command of the peacekeeping force in Afghanistan. The major operation was the first time the organization took over any area outside Europe in its 54-year-history.
People born on August 11
Author of the Dick and Jane book series for elementary school-aged children.
Award-winning actress in films such as Fences, The Help, Ma Rainey's Black Bottom and The Woman King.
Computer scientist and programmer who co-founded Apple Inc.
Physician and astrologer who wrote A Short Discourse concerning Pestilential Contagion, and the Method to be used to prevent it. The writing was important in understanding transmissible diseases.
Singer and talk show host best known for hosting The Mike Douglas Show. He also was the voice of Prince Charming in Disney's Cinderella (1950).
Japanese samurai, shishi, and politician formerly known as Katsura Kogorō. He is considered one of the three great nobles who led the Meiji Restoration and a founder of the modern state of Japan.
Canadian bass player who was the original bassist for the rock band The Guess Who. He was inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame in 1987.
Hulk Hogan, born Terry Gene Bollea, was a professional wrestler widely regarded as one of the greatest of all time.
Prussian gymnast and educator often referred to as the "Father of German gymnastics."
Founder of FedEx. He is considered to be the "Father of the Overnight Delivery Business."
Historian and author who wrote Roots: The Saga of an American Family.
