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25 fun facts for May, 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
May 11 is a day filled with notable historical events, from the naming of Constantinople in 330 AD to SpaceX's first Falcon 9 rocket launch in 2010. It is also a day to celebrate various national days such as Twilight Zone Day, Eat What You Want Day, and Foam Rolling Day.
25 Fun facts
  1. May 11, 330: Byzantium is renamed Nova Roma during a dedication ceremony, but later it is called Constantinople. On May 11, 330 AD, the city of Byzantium was renamed to Nova Roma during a dedication ceremony organized by the Roman Emperor Constantine the Great. However, the city later became known as Constantinople.
  2. May 11, 868: The Diamond Sutra, the world's earliest dated printed book, was printed in China. On this day in 868 AD, the Diamond Sutra, a Buddhist scripture, became the world's earliest known dated printed book. A copy of the text was found in Dunhuang, China, and it is now held at the British Library.
  3. May 11, 1502: Columbus departs for his fourth and last voyage to the Americas. Christopher Columbus set sail from Spain on May 11, 1502. This fourth and final voyage was an attempt to discover a westward route to Asia, but ultimately, Columbus would not reach the continent during his lifetime.
  4. May 11, 1812: British Prime Minister Spencer Perceval is assassinated. On May 11, 1812, Spencer Perceval, the British Prime Minister at the time, was assassinated by a merchant named John Bellingham while entering the House of Commons. Perceval remains the only British Prime Minister to be assassinated.
  5. May 11, 1858: Minnesota becomes the 32nd state of the United States. On this day in 1858, Minnesota was officially recognized as the 32nd state within the United States of America. The state, known for its beautiful landscapes and lakes, is often referred to as the "Land of 10,000 Lakes."
  6. May 11, 1894: The Pullman Strike begins in the United States. On May 11, 1894, the Pullman Strike, a nationwide railroad strike, began in the United States. Workers from the Pullman Palace Car Company in Chicago went on strike to protest against wage cuts and layoffs, affecting rail traffic across the country.
  7. May 11, 1927: Louis B. Mayer, head of the MGM film studio, announces the creation of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. On this day in 1927, Louis B. Mayer, the head of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) film studio, announced the creation of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. The organization, best known for hosting the annual Academy Awards, was formed to recognize and promote excellence in the film industry.
  8. May 11, 1934: The Dust Bowl begins in the United States. On May 11, 1934, one of the worst man-made ecological disasters in history, known as the Dust Bowl, began in the U.S. The severe dust storms caused extensive damage to farmlands and forced thousands of people to abandon their homes and farms.
  9. May 11, 1949: Israel joins the United Nations. On May 11, 1949, approximately one year after the establishment of the State of Israel, the country was officially admitted to the United Nations as its 59th member.
  10. May 11, 1960: Israeli agents capture former SS officer Adolf Eichmann in Argentina. On this day in 1960, Israeli agents successfully captured Nazi war criminal Adolf Eichmann in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Eichmann was later brought to trial in Israel for his role in organizing the Holocaust, and he was executed in 1962.
  11. May 11, 1981: Bob Marley, Jamaican reggae musician, dies of cancer at age 36. May 11, 1981 marked the death of influential reggae musician Bob Marley, who passed away from cancer at the age of 36. Marley, best known for hits such as "One Love" and "No Woman, No Cry," remains a cultural icon today.
  12. May 11, 1995: More than 170 countries extend the Non-Proliferation Treaty indefinitely and unconditionally. On May 11, 1995, more than 170 countries agreed to extend the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) indefinitely and unconditionally. The treaty is aimed at preventing the spread of nuclear weapons and promoting the peaceful use of nuclear energy.
  13. May 11, 1997: IBM's Deep Blue computer defeats world chess champion Garry Kasparov. On this day in 1997, Deep Blue, a chess-playing computer developed by IBM, defeated reigning world chess champion Garry Kasparov. The six-game match ended with Deep Blue winning 3.5 to 2.5 points, marking the first time a computer defeated a reigning world champion in a traditional match format.
  14. May 11, 1998: India conducts three underground nuclear tests in Pokhran. On May 11, 1998, India conducted three underground nuclear tests in Pokhran, causing international concern and resulting in sanctions from several countries, including the United States and Japan.
  15. May 11, 2000: Ford announces the recall of 13 million Firestone tires. On this day in 2000, the Ford Motor Company announced the recall of 13 million Firestone tires, following a series of incidents involving tire failures on Ford vehicles. The recall led to the end of a nearly 100-year relationship between the two companies.
  16. May 11, 2001: The first International Towel Day is celebrated in honor of author Douglas Adams. In 2001, the first International Towel Day was celebrated on May 11, two weeks after the passing of British author Douglas Adams. The event is an annual tribute to Adams, known for his popular "Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy" series, where the towel is recognized as an essential item for any space traveler.
  17. May 11, 2010: SpaceX launches its Falcon 9 rocket for the first time. On this day in 2010, SpaceX successfully launched its Falcon 9 rocket for the first time. The launch marked a significant milestone for the private space company, founded by entrepreneur Elon Musk, as it paved the way for the development of reusable rocket technology and commercial space travel.
  18. May 11, 2013: At least 46 people are killed in a series of bombings across Baghdad, Iraq. On May 11, 2013, a series of bombings struck various locations across Baghdad, Iraq, killing at least 46 people and leaving many more injured. The bombings were suspected to be the work of local militant groups.
  19. May 11, 2014: Conchita Wurst wins the Eurovision Song Contest. Austrian singer Conchita Wurst, the onstage persona of Thomas Neuwirth, won the 2014 Eurovision Song Contest on May 11. Wurst's performance of "Rise Like a Phoenix" garnered attention and acclaim, leading to her victory in the competition.
  20. May 11, 2016: Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff is impeached. On May 11, 2016, the Brazilian Senate voted to impeach President Dilma Rousseff, suspending her from office due to allegations of fiscal mismanagement. Vice President Michel Temer took over as acting president during her suspension, and Rousseff was later removed from office permanently.
  21. May 11, 2018: The U.S. Post Office issues its first-ever scratch-and-sniff stamp. On this day in 2018, the U.S. Postal Service released its first scratch-and-sniff stamp, featuring images of frozen treats with corresponding scents. The stamps were intended to evoke memories of summer and add an interactive element to postage.
  22. May 11 is National Twilight Zone Day National Twilight Zone Day is observed every year on May 11, celebrating the classic television series created by Rod Serling. The show, which first aired in 1959, has become a cultural phenomenon known for its inventive stories and surprise endings.
  23. May 11 is National Eat What You Want Day National Eat What You Want Day occurs annually on May 11, encouraging people to indulge in their favorite foods without worrying about calories or dietary restrictions. The day is meant to be a break from the usual diet and a way for people to enjoy a guilt-free treat.
  24. May 11 is National Hostess Cupcake Day National Hostess Cupcake Day is celebrated each year on May 11, honoring the popular snack cake which was first introduced in 1919. The day pays tribute to this iconic treat, known for its chocolate cake, creamy filling, and distinctive squiggle of icing on top.
  25. May 11 is National Foam Rolling Day National Foam Rolling Day takes place every year on May 11, promoting the benefits of foam rolling for fitness enthusiasts and athletes. Foam rolling is a form of self-myofascial release that helps to reduce muscle tension and promote flexibility.

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