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32 fun facts for March, 11

Discover dozens of fun facts for this special day. Read the summary for a quick recap on what happened.
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Summary
March 11th is a day marked by historical events, national days, and natural disasters. Notable events include the New Madrid Earthquake, Babe Ruth's record-breaking contract, the creation of the iPhone, and the Fukushima nuclear disaster. This date also commemorates influential people like Pope Francis, Johnny Appleseed, and the first female U.S. Attorney General, Janet Reno.
32 Fun facts
  1. Johnny Appleseed Day: March 11th is Johnny Appleseed Day in the United States. Celebrated in honor of John Chapman, a folk hero who traveled across the country planting apple trees, this day promotes the planting of apple trees and recognizes their importance.
  2. In 1811, an earthquake in New Madrid, Missouri caused the Mississippi River to flow backward for several hours. This event, known as the New Madrid Earthquake, is one of the largest earthquakes ever recorded in North America.
  3. On March 11, 1824, the United States Department of War created the Bureau of Indian Affairs, a federal agency responsible for managing relations and implementing policy with Native American tribes and nations.
  4. The first recorded use of laughing gas as a form of anesthetic in dentistry took place on March 11, 1844. American dentist Horace Wells administered the nitrous oxide to a patient during a tooth extraction in Hartford, Connecticut.
  5. On March 11, 1861, the Confederate States of America adopted its constitution, a document similar to the United States Constitution but with major differences in governance structures and principles.
  6. In 1888, New York City faced one of the deadliest blizzards in history, dubbed the "Great White Hurricane." Beginning on March 11, this monstrous storm left thousands stranded, over 20 feet of snow, and claimed the lives of around 400 people.
  7. On March 11, 1892, the first public game of basketball was played in Springfield, Massachusetts. It was organized by the Canadian-born physical education instructor, Dr. James Naismith, who also invented the sport.
  8. National Plumbing Day is observed on March 11th in the United States. This day highlights the importance of plumbers and brings awareness to the crucial role they play in maintaining clean water and sanitation systems.
  9. In 1918, the first case of Spanish Flu, an influenza epidemic that would eventually kill millions worldwide, was reported in Fort Riley, Kansas on March 11.
  10. On March 11, 1927, the first successful long-distance television transmission occurred in the U.S. The images were sent from Washington, D.C., to New York City, a distance of roughly 200 miles, using a series of radio relays.
  11. On March 11, 1930, Babe Ruth signed a contract with the New York Yankees that made him the highest-paid baseball player of his time. His salary was an impressive $80,000 per year, equivalent to over $1 million in today's currency.
  12. In 1941, on March 11, U.S President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed the Lend-Lease Act into law, which allowed the United States to provide aid to Allied countries during World War II.
  13. On March 11, 1955, Sir Alexander Fleming, the Scottish biologist who discovered penicillin, was buried in St. Paul's Cathedral in London following his death.
  14. In 1958, the Great Brinks Robbery occurred on March 11. The multi-millionaire burglary took place in Boston, Massachusetts, and remains one of the largest robberies in U.S history.
  15. On March 11, 1970, the first "Internet" transmission (ARPANET) was sent from UCLA to Stanford University. This revolutionary communication changed the way information was shared and paved the way for the modern Internet.
  16. In 1985, on March 11, Mikhail Gorbachev became the General Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union. He would later become instrumental in ending the Cold War.
  17. On March 11, 1989, the first-ever episode of the children's television show "COPS" (Central Organization of Police Specialists) premiered, which combined crime-fighting with animated characters.
  18. Lithuania became the first Soviet republic to declare its independence from the USSR on March 11, 1990, setting the stage for the eventual dissolution of the Soviet Union.
  19. In 1997, the ashes of Star Trek creator Gene Roddenberry were launched into space aboard a Pegasus XL rocket on March 11. The launch marked a fitting tribute for the man who created the iconic science fiction series.
  20. On March 11, 2004, a series of train bombings took place in Madrid, Spain, killing 191 people and injuring more than 2,000. The attack remains one of the deadliest terrorist incidents in European history.
  21. On March 11, 2006, the world's tallest man, Bao Xishun, used his 1.06-meter-long arm to save two dolphins from choking on plastic in an aquarium in Fushun, China.
  22. In 2007, the Apple iPhone received its technology patent on March 11. Today, it is one of the most widely-used and revolutionary smartphones in the world.
  23. The European Union marked March 11 as the European Day of Remembrance for the Victims of Terrorism in 2004. The day honors the memory of the victims and reaffirms the EU's commitment to fighting terrorism.
  24. In 2011, a massive earthquake and tsunami struck Japan on March 11, resulting in the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster. It was one of the largest nuclear accidents in history and had widespread environmental impacts.
  25. On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization officially declared COVID-19 a global pandemic. This announcement marked a turning point in the global response to the virus outbreak.
  26. In 2013, Pope Francis was elected as the 266th pope on March 11. He is the first pope from the Americas and serves as a strong advocate for social justice and environmental issues.
  27. The Girl Scouts of the USA officially celebrated their 100th anniversary on March 11, 2012. The organization, founded by Juliette Gordon Low, continues to empower and educate girls and young women across the United States.
  28. On March 11, 1789, Benjamin Banneker and Pierre L'Enfant began working together to design the U.S. capital, Washington, D.C., which would grow into one of the most influential and powerful cities in the world.
  29. World Kidney Day, held on the second Thursday of March, falls on March 11th in 2021, raising awareness for kidney health and disease.
  30. In 1993, Janet Reno was sworn in as the first female U.S. Attorney General on March 11, making history and breaking barriers for women in the field of law.
  31. On March 11, 1998, the classic film "The Big Lebowski" premiered in the U.S. Directed by Joel and Ethan Coen, this dark comedy became a beloved cult classic.
  32. In 2005, the UN General Assembly established March 11th as the International Day of Women Judges, recognizing their critical role in promoting gender equality and the importance of their participation in decision-making processes in the judiciary.

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