February 11: What Happened on This Day in History
February 11th marks the 42nd day of the Gregorian calendar year. There are 323 days (324 in case of leap years) remaining until the end of the year.
Discover what happened on February 11th in history, famous birthdays on February 11th, celebrities died on this day, the day of the week and the zodiac sign associated to February 11.
What happened on February 11?
Here's what happened on February 11th in history:
- 2021: The United States reached a grim milestone as COVID-19 deaths exceeded 500,000, surpassing the combined American fatalities from World War I, World War II, and the Vietnam War, highlighting the pandemic's devastating impact.
- 2014: On February 11, 2014, historic governmental meetings were held between China and Taiwan, marking a significant step in cross-strait relations. The meetings aimed to discuss various issues and improve bilateral ties, reflecting a thaw in relations between the two sides. source: reuters.com
- 2008: On February 11, 2008, an assassination attempt was made on the President of East Timor, José Ramos-Horta. This event underscored the political instability in the country at that time. source: aljazeera.com
- 2002: On February 11, 2002, British Telecommunications PLC filed a lawsuit against Prodigy Communications Corporation, alleging infringement of U.S. Patent No. 4,873,662, which BT claimed covered hyperlink technology. The case was dismissed in August 2002. source: wired.com
- 1995: On February 11, 1995, the Space Shuttle Discovery completed its STS-63 mission, landing at Kennedy Space Center in Florida. source: nasa.gov
- 1994: Lu Parker, a television personality and journalist, was crowned Miss USA 1994. She represented South Carolina in the pageant and later pursued a career in journalism and television hosting. source: brainyhistory.com
- 1990: Nelson Mandela was released from Victor Verster Prison on February 11, 1990, after spending 27 years in captivity. His release marked a significant turning point in South Africa's history, leading to the end of apartheid and the establishment of a multiracial democracy. Mandela's leadership and commitment to reconciliation were pivotal in the country's transition. source: britannica.com
- 1985: On February 11, 1985, Jordan's King Hussein and PLO Chairman Yasser Arafat agreed to collaborate on a Middle East peace settlement. The accord called for Israel's withdrawal from occupied territories in exchange for peace and recognition of Israel's right to exist. The plan proposed a confederation between Jordan and a Palestinian state, with a joint delegation to negotiate with Israel. source: washingtonpost.com
- 1981: On February 11, 1981, an operator error at the Tennessee Valley Authority's Sequoyah Nuclear Plant in Tennessee led to the accidental opening of a valve, releasing approximately 100,000 gallons of slightly radioactive water into the containment building. Fourteen maintenance workers were exposed to the water but were not injured. The reactor was shut down at the time, and the situation was brought under control within 30 minutes. source: washingtonpost.com
- 1977: On February 11, 1977, Tafari Benti, the chairman of the Provisional Military Administrative Council of Ethiopia, was executed. Benti had been a key figure in the 1974 Ethiopian Revolution that deposed Emperor Haile Selassie. His execution marked a significant event in the political upheavals of Ethiopia during that period. source: en.wikipedia.org
What famous birthdays are on February 11?
On February 11th there are the following famous birthdays:
![Thomas Edison]()
Thomas Edison (1847)Thomas Edison was an American inventor and businessman renowned for his development of many key devices in modern life, including the phonograph, the incandescent light bulb, and early motion picture cameras. Nicknamed 'The Wizard of Menlo Park,' Edison held more than 1,000 patents and played a critical role in the commercialization of electric power and sound recording. [bio]
![Jennifer Aniston]()
Jennifer Aniston (1969)Jennifer Aniston is an acclaimed American actress, producer, and businesswoman. She gained worldwide fame for her portrayal of Rachel Green on the television sitcom 'Friends' (1994–2004), a role that earned her an Emmy, a Golden Globe, and a Screen Actors Guild Award. Aniston has also established herself as a prominent film actress, starring in multiple box office hits and acclaimed … [bio]
![Burt Reynolds]()
Burt Reynolds (1936)Burt Reynolds was an American actor, director, and producer, widely recognized as one of Hollywood's leading film and television stars of the 1970s and 1980s. He gained fame for his charismatic screen presence, comedic timing, and roles in action-packed films. [bio]
![Sarah Palin]()
Sarah Palin (1964)Sarah Palin is an American politician, commentator, author, and reality television personality who served as the ninth governor of Alaska from 2006 until her resignation in 2009. She rose to national prominence as the Republican vice presidential nominee in the 2008 United States election alongside presidential candidate John McCain. [bio]
![Leslie Nielsen]()
Leslie Nielsen (1926)Leslie Nielsen was a Canadian-American actor, comedian, and producer, best known for his deadpan delivery in numerous parody films such as 'Airplane!' and the 'Naked Gun' series. [bio]
![Sheryl Crow]()
Sheryl Crow (1962)Sheryl Crow is an American singer, songwriter, and musician known for her eclectic blend of rock, pop, country, and folk music. With a career spanning over three decades, she has received multiple Grammy Awards and is recognized for her chart-topping hits and dynamic stage presence. [bio]
![Damian Lewis]()
Damian Lewis (1971)Damian Lewis is an acclaimed English actor and producer, best known for his roles in popular television series like 'Band of Brothers,' 'Homeland,' and 'Billions.' Renowned for his versatile performances in film, television, and stage, he has received several prestigious awards during his career. [bio]
![Kelly Rowland]()
Kelly Rowland (1981)Kelly Rowland is an American singer, songwriter, actress, and television personality. She gained worldwide fame as a founding member of Destiny's Child, one of the best-selling girl groups of all time, and has enjoyed a successful solo career with hits like "Dilemma" (with Nelly) and "Motivation." [bio]
![Brandy Norwood]()
Brandy Norwood (1979)Brandy Norwood is an American singer, songwriter, actress, and record producer known for her distinctive voice and pioneering work in R&B music. She gained fame as a teenage recording artist in the 1990s and also starred in the popular sitcom "Moesha." [bio]
![Ken Shamrock]()
Ken Shamrock (1964)Ken Shamrock is an American professional wrestler, mixed martial artist, and former professional wrestler, best known for his time in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) and World Wrestling Federation (WWF/WWE). He is widely regarded as one of the most popular fighters in the early days of mixed martial arts and has been called 'The World's Most Dangerous Man.' [bio]
How to check someone's birthday?
If you’re looking for a person's birth date, have a look at our Birthday Search Guide
Who died on February 11?
On February 11th the following celebrities died:
![Sylvia Plath]()
Sylvia Plath (1963)Sylvia Plath was an American poet, novelist, and short-story writer, best known for her confessional poetry and her semi-autobiographical novel 'The Bell Jar.' She became a leading figure in 20th-century literature for her intense, emotional voice and her influential contribution to the genre of confessional poetry. [bio]
![William Conrad]()
William Conrad (1994)William Conrad was an American actor, producer, and director, renowned for his distinctive deep voice and roles in radio, film, and television. He is especially known for starring in the detective series 'Cannon' and voicing Marshal Matt Dillon in the radio version of 'Gunsmoke.' [bio]
![Eleanor Powell]()
Eleanor Powell (1982)Eleanor Powell was an American dancer and actress, widely acclaimed as one of the greatest tap dancers in film history. She rose to fame in Hollywood musical films during the 1930s and 1940s with her energetic, athletic style and was often billed as 'the world's greatest tap dancer.' [bio]
![Roger Hanin]()
Roger Hanin (2015)Roger Hanin was a French actor, director, and writer, best known for his titular role in the long-running television series 'Navarro.' He enjoyed a prolific career in French cinema and television, spanning more than five decades. [bio]
![Frank Herbert]()
Frank Herbert (1986)Renowned science fiction author best known for the groundbreaking Dune series, Herbert was a visionary writer who blended complex...
![Takashi Shimura]()
Takashi Shimura (1982)Renowned Japanese actor famous for his iconic roles in Akira Kurosawa's classic films 'Rashomon' and 'Seven Samurai', who significantly...
![Whitney Houston]()
Whitney Houston (2012)Iconic American singer who passed away in 2012, leaving an indelible mark on the music industry.
![Harry Martinson]()
Harry Martinson (1978)Swedish writer and poet who was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1974, known for his profound poetry and prose exploring human...
![Alexander McQueen]()
Alexander McQueen (2010)Legendary British fashion designer who revolutionized haute couture with his avant-garde and provocative designs, tragically dying by...
What day of the year is February 11?
February 11th marks the 42nd day of the year in the Gregorian calendar.
There are 323 days remaining until the end of the year (or 324 days in case of leap years).
February 11th is the 11th day of the month of February.
What zodiac sign is associated with the day February 11?
The zodiac sign associated with February 11th is Aquarius according to the Western Zodiac.
