28 fun facts for January, 11
Discover dozens of fun facts for this special day. Read the summary for a quick recap on what happened.
Summary
January 11th is a day filled with historical events, national holidays, and milestones in various fields. From the opening of the British Museum and Amelia Earhart's solo flight to Hawaii to International Thank You Day and National Milk Day in India, there's plenty to celebrate and remember on this day.
28 Fun facts
- In 1759, The British Museum first opened its doors to the public in Montagu House, London. Sir Hans Sloane’s collection formed the foundation of the museum, and today it houses treasures from around the world.
- In 1787, William Herschel discovered two new moons of Uranus: Oberon and Titania. These were the first moons of Uranus to be discovered, expanding humanity's knowledge of the solar system.
- In 1794, Robert Forsyth, a US Marshal, became the first recorded person to die in the line of duty in the United States.
- In 1805, the Michigan Territory was created by an act of the United States Congress. This act marked Michigan's first step towards statehood, which it eventually achieved in 1837.
- In 1908, U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt declared the Grand Canyon as a national monument. This natural wonder, located in Arizona, is visited by millions of people each year to witness its breathtaking beauty.
- In 1922, Insulin was first used to treat diabetes in a human patient, Leonard Thompson. This Canadian teenager was the first person to successfully receive treatment for his Type 1 diabetes and live a normal life.
- In 1935, Amelia Earhart became the first person to fly solo from Hawaii to California. This historic flight marked another milestone in Earhart's aviation career.
- In 1949, The first recorded snowfall occurred in Los Angeles, California. This rare event saw the city covered in a white blanket, with residents experiencing something usually associated with colder climates.
- In 1960, Goethe Link Observatory in Indiana discovered Asteroid 2345 Fučik. Named after Czechoslovakian journalist, Julius Fučik, the asteroid orbits the sun between Mars and Jupiter.
- In 1964, the first government report by U.S. Surgeon General Luther Terry was published, linking smoking to lung cancer, heart disease, and other major health issues. This landmark report led to increased public awareness and anti-smoking campaigns.
- In 1973, the iconic American sitcom M*A*S*H, which followed the lives of medical professionals during the Korean War, aired its first episode on TV.
- In 1981, Palau becomes an independent country, separating from the United States-administered Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands.
- In 1996, Ryutaro Hashimoto became the Prime Minister of Japan. During his tenure, he worked on various fiscal and financial reforms to stabilize the Japanese economy.
- In 2000, the merger between America Online and Time Warner was announced, creating the largest media company at that time.
- In 2001, the 94th United States Congress convened for the first time, with both the Senate and the House of Representatives meeting to discuss and pass legislation.
- In 2002, the first prisoners arrived at the Guantanamo Bay detention camp, a controversial and highly debated facility used for holding terrorism suspects.
- In 2010, Simon Wiesenthal, an Austrian Holocaust survivor and famous Nazi hunter, died at the age of 96.
- In 2011, the internet site, Reddit, first introduced its AMA (Ask Me Anything) feature, which allows users to conduct interviews with various public figures and celebrities.
- In 2013, three separate car bombings killed at least 83 people and injured more than 160 in Pakistan.
- In 2016, the first episode of the Netflix original series, "Shadowhunters," premiered. Based on the popular book series, "The Mortal Instruments," the show has since gained a large following.
- In 2017, the farewell address of former U.S. President Barack Obama took place in Chicago. During his speech, he celebrated his administration's achievements and encouraged Americans to remain involved in political processes.
- January 11th is International Thank You Day. This unofficial holiday encourages people to express gratitude and appreciation to those in their lives who have made a difference.
- January 11th is also National Milk Day in India, which recognizes the importance of milk in Indian culture and its contributions to health and nutrition.
- In Australia, January 11th is known as National Step in a Puddle and Splash Your Friends Day. This fun, light-hearted event encourages Australians to enjoy the wet weather and let loose.
- In New Zealand, January 11th is Sir Edmund Hillary Day. Named after the famous mountaineer, this day honors his legacy and his historic ascent of Mount Everest.
- Morocco celebrates its Independence Manifesto Day on January 11th, commemorating the initial request for independence from French and Spanish protectorates presented in 1944.
- January 11th is also the Japanese traditional holiday, Kagami Biraki. This day involves breaking open a sake barrel, which symbolizes good luck and blessings for the new year.
- In England, the Twelfth Night of Christmas is celebrated on January 11th, marking the end of the holiday season and the beginning of preparations for the next year's festivities.