On This Day in History – August 11

August 11 is a date marked by significant scientific discoveries, historic political events, and the births and deaths of prominent figures. Let’s take a look at what makes this day notable around the world.

Major Events

• 1492 – Rodrigo Borgia is elected Pope and takes the name Alexander VI, one of the most controversial pontiffs in church history.
• 1858 – The first transatlantic telegraph cable message is sent between Queen Victoria and U.S. President James Buchanan.
• 1929 – Babe Ruth becomes the first baseball player to hit 500 home runs in Major League Baseball history.
• 1934 – The first civilian prisoners arrive at Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary in San Francisco Bay.
• 1965 – The Watts Riots begin in Los Angeles, sparked by racial tensions and police violence; they last for six days.
• 1972 – The last U.S. ground combat unit leaves South Vietnam as the U.S. winds down its military involvement in the Vietnam War.
• 1999 – A total solar eclipse is visible across Europe and Asia, the last of the millennium.
• 2003 – NATO takes over command of the international peacekeeping force in Afghanistan, its first major mission outside Europe.
• 2014 – American actor and comedian Robin Williams is found dead in his California home.

Famous Birthdays

• Enid Blyton (1897–1968) – British author best known for her Famous Five and Noddy children’s book series.
• Alex Haley (1921–1992) – American author of Roots: The Saga of an American Family.
• Mike Douglas (1920–2006) – American singer and talk show host.
• Steve Wozniak (1950– ) – American engineer, co-founder of Apple Inc., and pioneer in personal computing.
• Hulk Hogan (1953– ) – American professional wrestler and actor.
• Joe Rogan (1967– ) – American podcaster, comedian, and mixed martial arts commentator.
• Chris Hemsworth (1983– ) – Australian actor known for his role as Thor in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
• Will Friedle (1976– ) – American actor and voice artist, known for Boy Meets World.
• Jacinda Barrett (1972– ) – Australian-American actress and former model.
• Chris Messina (1974– ) – American actor known for roles in The Mindy Project and Argo.

Notable Deaths

• Edmund Jennings Randolph (1753–1813) – American attorney and politician, the first U.S. Attorney General.
• Jackson Pollock (1912–1956) – American abstract expressionist painter, died in a car crash.
• Euronymous (Øystein Aarseth) (1968–1993) – Norwegian musician and guitarist for black metal band Mayhem.
• Peter Eisenman (1932–2023) – American architect and academic, known for deconstructivist architecture.
• Laurel Clark (1961–2003) – American astronaut, perished in the Space Shuttle Columbia disaster.
• Kamal El-Shennawi (1921–2011) – Egyptian actor and director.
• Robert S. McNamara (1916–2009) – U.S. Secretary of Defense during the Vietnam War.
• Robin Williams (1951–2014) – American actor and comedian beloved for both humorous and dramatic roles.
• Florence Harding (1860–1924) – First Lady of the United States, wife of President Warren G. Harding.
• William DeWitt Sr. (1902–1982) – American baseball executive and owner.

Holidays

• Mountain Day (Japan) – Celebrates the nation’s mountainous terrain and promotes outdoor appreciation.
• Independence Day (Chad) – Marks Chad’s independence from France in 1960.
• National Son and Daughter Day (United States) – A day for parents to show appreciation for their children.
• Play in the Sand Day – A lighthearted observance encouraging families to enjoy the outdoors.

Fun Facts

• Babe Ruth’s 500th home run in 1929 was an unprecedented feat and helped cement his legacy in baseball history.
• Mountain Day in Japan was established relatively recently in 2016 to encourage people to get in touch with nature.
• Robin Williams’ sudden death in 2014 sparked international mourning and brought attention to mental health issues.
• The 1999 solar eclipse was one of the most-watched astronomical events in history, visible to millions across Europe and Asia.
• Steve Wozniak, born on this day, developed the first Apple computer and helped launch the personal computing revolution.