June 11

Scott Winters June 11, 2025 1 Comment

A quick look at Today in History, check out some Celebrity Birthdays, and find out what Days of the Year to celebrate.

TODAY IN HISTORY:

1776 – In America, the Continental Congress formed a committee to draft a Declaration of Independence from Britain. Appointed to the committee were Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Roger Sherman, and Robert R. Livingston.

1805 – A fire consumed large portions of Detroit in the Michigan Territory.

1889 – The Washington Business High School opened in Washington, DC. It was the first school devoted to business in the U.S.

1895 – Charles E. Duryea received the first U.S. patent granted to an American inventor for a gasoline-driven automobile.

1919 – Sir Barton became the first horse to capture the Triple Crown when he won the Belmont Stakes in New York, NY.

1927 – Charles A. Lindberg was presented the first Distinguished Flying Cross.

1930 – William Beebe dove to a record-setting depth of 1,426 feet off the coast of Bermuda. He used a diving chamber called a bathysphere.

1935 – Inventor Edwin Armstrong gave the first public demonstration of FM broadcasting in the U.S. at Alpine, NJ.

1936 – The Presbyterian Church of America was formed in Philadelphia, PA.

1947 – The U.S. government announced an end to sugar rationing.

1950 – Ben Hogan returned to tournament play after a near fatal car accident. He won the U.S. Open.

1955 – Eighty-three spectators were killed and at least 100 were injured after an Austin-Healey and a Mercedes Benz collided at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. It was the deadliest accident ever in motorsports.

1962 – Frank Morris, John Anglin, and Clarence Anglin allegedly became the only prisoners to ever escape from the prison on Alcatraz Island.

1963 – Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was arrested in Florida for trying to integrate restaurants.

1963 – Alabama Gov. George Wallace allowed two black students to enroll at the University of Alabama.

1972 – Hank Aaron tied the National League record for 14 grand-slam home runs in a career.

1973 – After a ruling by the Justice Department of the State of Pennsylvania, women were licensed to box or wrestle.

1981 – The first major league baseball player’s strike began. It would last for two months.

1982 – Steven Spielberg’s movie “E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial” opened in theaters nationwide.

1986 – The movie “Ferris Beuller’s Day Off”, starring Matthew Broderick, premiered in theaters.

1990 – The U.S. Supreme Court struck down a law that would prohibit the desecration or burning of the American Flag.

1993 – The U.S. Supreme Court ruled that people who commit “hate crimes” could be sentenced to extra punishment. The court also ruled in favor of religious groups saying that they indeed had a constitutional right to sacrifice animals during worship services.

1993 – Steven Spielberg’s movie “Jurassic Park” opened in theaters.

1998 – Amazon.com expanded its product line from books only to compact discs as well.

1998 – Compaq Computer paid $9 billion for Digital Equipment Corporation in the largest high-tech acquisition.

1998 – Mitsubishi of America agreed to pay $34 million to end the largest sexual harassment case filed by the U.S. government. The federal lawsuit claimed that hundreds of women at a plant in Normal, IL, had endured groping and crude jokes from male workers.

2001 – The reality TV show “Fear Factor” debuted on NBC.

2001 – Oklahoma City bomber Timothy McVeigh was executed in Indiana.

2002 – The FOX television series “American Idol” debuted. The show featured judges Randy Jackson, Paula Abdul and Simon Cowell.

2004 – The movie “Napoleon Dynamite” was released in theaters.

2004 – A remake of the 1975 movie “The Stepford Wives”, starring Nicole Kidman and Matthew Broderick, premiered in theaters.

2009 – The World Health Organization declared H1N1 swine flu to be a global pandemic.

2012 – TV’s “Good Morning America” host Robin Roberts told viewers she had a rare blood disease and that her sister, WWLTV anchor SallyAnn Roberts, would be her bone marrow donor.

2015 – The Japanese Garden opens at Frederik Meijer Gardens in Grand Rapids, MI.

2018 – 3 World Trade Center officially opened.

2019 – It was revealed that an estimated 500,000 song titles, including the recording masters of Chuck Berry, Louis Armstrong and Ella Fitzgerald, were lost in a 2008 warehouse fire on the backlot of Universal Studios in Los Angeles, CA.

BIRTHDAYS:

Christina Crawford – 86 years old (1939) – Author, Joan Crawford’s embittered adopted daughter (“Mommie Dearest”)

Jackie Stewart – 86 years old (1939) – Racing driver, team owner

Adrienne Barbeau – 80 years old (1945) – Actress (TV’s “Maude”, movies “The Fog”, “The Cannonball Run”, “Escape From New York”, “Back to School”, “Swamp Thing”)

Henry Cisneros – 78 years old (1947) – Politician, businessman, United States Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (1993-1997)

Frank Beard – 76 years old (1949) – Drummer (ZZ Top)

Ingrid Newkirk – 76 years old (1949) – Founder of PETA

George Willig – 76 years old (1949) – Known as “the human fly” or “the spiderman,” known for climbing the South Tower of the World Trade Center on May 26, 1977

Pancho Carter – 75 years old (1950) – Race car driver

Donnie Van Zant – 73 years old (1952) – Vocalist, singer (.38 Special)

Peter Bergman – 72 years old (1953) – Actor (TV’s “All My Children”, “Young and the Restless”)

Greta Van Susteren – 71 years old (1954) – News anchor

Joe Montana – 69 years old (1956) – Football player

Hugh Laurie – 66 years old (1959) – Actor, musician (TV’s “House M.D.”, “Veep”, movie “Stuart Little”)

Dr. Mehmet Oz – 65 years old (1960) – Talk show host (TV’s “Dr. Oz”)

Peter Dinklage – 56 years old (1969) – Actor (TV’s “Game of Thrones”)

Dan Lavery – 56 years old (1969) – Musician (Tonic)

Joshua Jackson – 47 years old (1978) – Actor (TV’s “Dawson’s Creek”, “The Affair”, “Fringe”, movies “Shutter”, “The Mighty Ducks” and its two sequels)

Diana Taurasi – 43 years old (1982) – Basketball player

Shia LaBeouf – 39 years old (1986) – Actor (“Transformers” movies, “Lawless”, “Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps”, “Nymphomaniac”, “Eagle Eye”, “Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull”, “Disturbia”, “Bobby”, “Holes”, TV’s “Even Stevens”)

TODAY IS:

International Yarn Bombing Day: Join a world of other creative knitters and crochet-ers by “yarn bombing”, or covering your town or area with your beautiful, colorful, fun yarn creations.
National Corn on the Cob Day: Nothing says summer quite like a perfectly grilled (or boiled) corn on the cob, doused with butter, salt, pepper, or perhaps a more creative seasoning profile.
National German Chocolate Cake Day: Try your hand at making a rich and delicate German chocolate cake, or go the lazy way and search your town for the finest pre-made version of the same.
International Lynx Day: These wild felines, known for tufted ears and stealthy ways, roam their habitats with a cool confidence that's totally captivating.
National Making Life Beautiful Day: National Making Life Beautiful Day is a special celebration held every year on June 11th. This day focuses on appreciating those who contribute to making our lives and the world around us more beautiful. It's a time to recognize the impact of beauty in various forms, from the arts to...
King Kamehameha Day: King Kamehameha Day is a special holiday in Hawaii that honors the first monarch who united the islands into one kingdom. It's the only U.S. holiday dedicated to a former king. Each year, Hawaiians celebrate with vibrant parades, colorful floats, and traditional hula performances. Statues of King Kamehameha are adorned with...
KBG Syndrome Awareness Day: Raising awareness, fostering understanding, and supporting research for a condition that impacts lives and inspires unity.
Say Hi Day: Say Hi Day is a celebration of a simple word that can spark joy and connection. It honors Joseph Anthony Cinotti, a teenager with special needs who greeted everyone he met with a cheerful "hi." His warm approach left a lasting impression on his community. This day encourages people to...
Meet A Mate Week: Attend any number of fun events and meetups for singles during Meet a Mate week, and take the chance on finally finding your true love, no app required.
Loneliness Awareness Week: Exploring the impact of social isolation reveals profound insights into mental health, well-being, and community connections.
Oxfam Water Week: Oxfam Water Week is a vibrant event that spotlights the global water crisis. This week-long celebration encourages people to come together to address water scarcity and the need for clean water! How to Celebrate Oxfam Water Week Celebrating Oxfam Water Week involves various community activities aimed at education and action. Participants...
Team Green Britain Bike Week: Team Green Britain Bike Week is a vibrant event that promotes cycling across the UK. It encourages everyone to get on their bikes, enjoy the outdoors, and embrace a healthier lifestyle. The week is filled with various activities and events that cater to all age groups and skill levels, making...
Diabetes Week: Did you know that the number of people with diabetes keeps growing each year? Diabetes Week aims to highlight this and raise awareness about living with this condition. This event brings attention to the struggles and achievements of those affected by diabetes. It encourages everyone to engage in conversations about...
Scleroderma Awareness Week: Scleroderma Awareness Week is a special time dedicated to shedding light on a little-known but impactful disease. This week aims to bring attention to scleroderma, a chronic autoimmune disorder that causes hardening and tightening of the skin and other connective tissues. The week encourages conversations about the challenges faced by...
National Pet Wedding Week: Did you know that there's a special week just for pet lovers to celebrate their furry friends uniquely? National Pet Wedding Week, observed annually during the second week of June, is a time when pets get to experience the joys of a wedding ceremony! How to Celebrate National Pet Wedding...
International Clothesline Week: International Clothesline Week, celebrated annually, spotlights the old yet highly beneficial practice of drying clothes. It's a week dedicated to embracing the simple joy and advantages of hanging laundry outdoors. The fresh air and sunshine make clothes smell great and bring a bit of exercise and relaxation into our daily routines. How...
British Heart Week: British Heart Week is a vital event dedicated to raising awareness about heart health and the importance of heart care. Organized by the British Heart Foundation, this week-long observance emphasizes the significance of cardiovascular well-being. How to Celebrate British Heart Week Get Moving Why not kick off British Heart Week with a...
National Little League Baseball Week: Batter up! Kids swinging for the fences, cheers from the crowd, and an abundance of team spirit. It's baseball fun for everyone!