JULY 11 | Birthdays and Events
Famous Birthdays
People born on July 11
Peggy Shippen
Died: August 24, 1804
American Revolutionary War spy and wife of Benedict Arnold.
John Quincy Adams
Died: February 23, 1848
The 6th President of the U.S. who served between 1825 to 1829.
Millie and Christine McCoy
Only known record of Siamese twins who were born into slavery. They were sold to P.T. Barnum for $1,000.
Rollin H. White
Died: September 2, 1962
Inventor of steam boilers for early automobiles. The invention solved the explosion risks and unreliability of traditional fire-tube boilers.
Isabel Martin Lewis
Died: July 31, 1966
The first female astronomer who was hired by the U.S. Naval Observatory
E. B. White
Died: October 1, 1985
Acclaimed essayist, journalist, and writer. He wrote the children's books Stuart Little, Charlotte's Web, and The Trumpet of the Swan.
Theodore Harold Maiman
Died: May 5, 2007
Inventor who created the first working laser.
Frank Rosenblatt
Died: July 11, 1971
Computer scientist credited with making significant contributions to the development of AI.
Leon Spinks
Died: February 5, 2021
Heavyweight boxer who defeated Muhammad Ali in a split decision in 1978. The match was considered to be one of the biggest upsets in heavyweight boxing history.
Richie Sambora
Singer-songwriter, guitarist, and producer. Sambora became a star while playing with the rock band Bon Jovi.
Historical Events on July 11
Events that occurred on July 11 throughout history
The U.S. takes possession of Fort Detroit.
The U.S. takes possession of Fort Detroit from Great Britain under terms of the Jay Treaty. The treaty granted the U.S. possession of all northwestern posts.
The U.S. Marine Corps is re-established.
The U.S. Marine Corps is re-established. The Corps was disbanded after the American Revolutionary War.
A duel occurs between Vice President Aaron Burr mortally and Treasury Secretary Alexander Hamilton.
A duel occurs between Vice President Aaron Burr mortally and Treasury Secretary Alexander Hamilton. Vice President Burr fatally wounds former Alexander Hamilton, who died the next day at a friends home.
Charlotte Cooper becomes the first female Olympic tennis champion.
Charlotte Cooper becomes the first female Olympic tennis champion and the first individual female Olympic champion in any sport.
Babe Ruth makes his debut in Major League Baseball.
A 19 year old Babe Ruth makes his debut in Major League Baseball as a pitcher for the Boston Red Socks.
The U.S. Navy launches its first standard-type battleship.
The U.S. Navy launches its first standard-type battleship. The the USS Nevada (BB-36) was armed with triple gun turrets, oil-fired boilers, geared steam turbines, and the "all or nothing" armor scheme.
Congress passed the Federal Aid Road Act.
Congress passed the Federal Aid Road Act. The Act was the first major federal highway funding in the U.S., providing federal subsidies to states to construct and improve rural roads.
President Franklin D. Roosevelt announces that he will run for a fourth term.
President Franklin D. Roosevelt announces that he will run for a fourth term citing the ongoing demands of WWII. He beat Thomas Dewey in the November 1944 election, becoming the first and only U.S. President to serve more than two terms.
To Kill a Mockingbird is published in the U.S.
To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee is first published in the U.S. The novel has sold over 40 million copies.
Martin Luther King Jr. is posthumously awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
Martin Luther King Jr. is posthumously awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Jimmy Carter. The award was accepted by his widow Coretta Scott King.