January 11

Scott Winters January 11, 2026 2 Comments

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:

1770 – The first shipment of rhubarb was sent to the United States from London.

1787 – William Herschel discovered Titania and Oberon, the two moons of Uranus.

1805 – The Michigan Territory was created. It was made from the Indiana Territory and included Wisconsin and part of Minnesota. Michigan began operating as a State in 1835. Detroit was the first State Capital for land that extended all the way to the Mississippi River (the State’s present boundaries were set in 1837).

1813 – The pineapple was first brought to Hawaii. It wasn’t until 1899 that James D. Dole made an industry with it.

1861 – Alabama seceded from the United States.

1878 – In New York, NY, milk was delivered in glass bottles for the first time.

1902 – “Popular Mechanics” magazine was published for the first time.

1908 – Grand Canyon National Monument was created.

1913 – The first sedan-type car, manufactured by the Hudson Motor Company, was unveiled at the National Automobile Show in New York, NY.

1916 – A blizzard hit northern Michigan. Grand Rapids & Indiana Railroad trains were buried in 6-8 feet of snow at Bingham, MI (north of Traverse City).

1922 – In Toronto, Canada, Leonard Thompson became the first person to be successfully treated with insulin.

1927 – Louis B. Mayer, head of film studio Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) announced the creation of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, at a banquet in Los Angeles, CA.

1935 – Amelia Earhart became the first woman to fly solo from Hawaii to California.

1940 – General Motors built it’s 25 millionth car (a Chevy) at the Chevy Assembly plant in Flint, MI.

1958 – The television show “Seahunt” debuted on CBS. It ran for four years.

1963 – The Whiskey-a-Go-Go nightclub opened in Los Angeles, CA. It was recognized as the first disco in the U.S.

1964 – U.S. Surgeon General Luther Terry, MD, published the landmark report “Smoking and Health: Report of the Advisory Committee to the Surgeon General of the United States” saying that smoking may be hazardous to health. It sparked national and worldwide anti-smoking efforts.

1973 – Owners of American League baseball teams voted to adopt the designated-hitter rule on a trial basis.

1983 – Bob Ross debuted on the PBS television show “The Joy of Painting”.

1994 – Sonny Bono declared his candidacy for a seat in Congress from Palm Springs, CA. He was elected that fall and served until his death in a 1998 skiing accident.

1995 – Michael Jackson released a statement saying, “I will no longer stand by and watch reckless members of the media try to destroy my reputation.” The statement was a response to rumors of a video depicting Jackson fooling around with a young boy.

1995 – The WB TV network debuted.

1996 – The Space Shuttle Endeavor (STS-72) launched from Kennedy Space Center marking the start of the 74th Space Shuttle mission and the 10th flight of Endeavor.

1999 – WXMI Fox 17 in Grand Rapids, MI began the first 10:00 pm newscast in West Michigan.

2000 – The merger between AOL and Time Warner was approved by the U.S. government with restrictions to prevent a monopoly

2000 – The U.S. Postal Service unveiled the second Vietnam Veterans Memorial commemorative stamp in a ceremony at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall in Washington, DC.

2002 – Ford Motor Company announced plans to close five plants, the most drastic cutbacks in two decades with 35,000 layoffs and the elimination of four models.

2005 – The iPod Shuffle was introduced. It could hold 250 songs!

2020 – Municipal health officials in Wuhan announced the first recorded death from COVID-19.

2021 – The Michigan State Capitol Commission voted to ban the open carry of firearms inside the Capitol building in Lansing.

BIRTHDAYS:

Bud Acton – 84 years old (1942) – Basketball player

John Piper – 80 years old (1946) – Theologian and author

Madeline Manning – 78 years old (1948) – Runner and coach

Charlie Huhn – 75 years old (1951) – Rock singer and guitarist

Ben Crenshaw – 74 years old (1952) – Golfer and architect

Diana Gabaldon – 74 years old (1952) – Author

Lee Ritenour – 74 years old (1952) – Guitarist, composer, and producer

Robert Earl Keen – 70 years old (1956) – Singer-songwriter

Vicki Peterson – 68 years old (1958) – Singer-songwriter and guitarist

Brett Bodine – 67 years old (1959) – NASCAR driver

Kim Coles – 64 years old (1962) – Actress and comedian

Susan Lindauer – 64 years old (1962) – Journalist and activist

Tracy Caulkins – 63 years old (1963) – American-Australian swimmer

Marc Acito – 60 years old (1966) – Author and screenwriter

Tom Dumont – 58 years old (1968) – Guitarist and producer

Manny Acta – 57 years old (1969) – Dominican-American baseball player, coach, manager, and sportscaster

Chris Jent – 56 years old (1970) – Basketball player and coach

Malcolm D. Lee – 56 years old (1970) – Director, producer, screenwriter, and actor

Ken Ueno – 56 years old (1970) – Composer

Mary J. Blige – 55 years old (1971) – Singer-songwriter, producer, and actress

Christian Jacobs – 54 years old (1972) – Singer-songwriter, producer, and actor

Amanda Peet – 54 years old (1972) – Actress and playwright

Rockmond Dunbar – 53 years old (1973) – Actor

Rory Fitzpatrick – 51 years old (1975) – Ice hockey player

Shamari Buchanan – 49 years old (1977) – Football player

Darren Lynn Bousman – 47 years old (1979) – Director and screenwriter

Terence Morris – 47 years old (1979) – Basketball player

Damien Wilkins – 46 years old (1980) – Basketball player

Tony Allen – 44 years old (1982) – Basketball player

Kevin Boss – 42 years old (1984) – Football player

Matt Mullenweg – 42 years old (1984) – Web developer and businessman, co-created WordPress

Dennis Dixon – 41 years old (1985) – Football player

Aja Naomi King – 41 years old (1985) – Actress

Scotty Cranmer – 39 years old (1987) – BMX rider

Epiphanny Prince – 38 years old (1988) – American-Russian basketball player

Demario Davis – 37 years old (1989) – Football player

Malik Jackson – 36 years old (1990) – Football player

Nick Solak – 31 years old (1995) – Baseball player

TODAY IS:

National Milk Day: Whether cow, goat or oat, enjoy this refreshing drink, visit a dairy farm to see how it’s made or whip up some butter and cheese at home.
International Parity at Work Day: No matter their skin color, race, nation of origin, religion, or gender, it is only right and reasonable for people to be paid fairly equally for performing the same jobs for their employers.
National Hot Toddy Day: A warm and soothing drink perfect for chilly nights, this classic beverage is a delightful combination of spices, honey, and whiskey.
Heritage Treasures Day:
Human Trafficking Awareness Day: Addressing a critical concern, awareness initiatives strive to liberate lives and foster a world free from exploitation.
Secret Pal Day: Anonymously brighten someone's day with a thoughtful gift or message — a fun and exciting way to show someone you care.
National Sunday Supper Day: Delicious homemade dishes, loved ones, and unforgettable memories - all can be found in the tradition of gathering for a cozy Sunday meal.
National Step in a Puddle and Splash Your Friends Day: Unexpectedly drenched sidewalks — the secret weapon for sparking spontaneous laughter battles with pals on rainy days.
National Learn Your Name In Morse Code Day: Discover the dots and dashes that make you unique - it's like a secret code that connects you to history's great communicators.
Paget’s Awareness Day: Promoting understanding and support for those impacted by Paget's Disease, fostering unity in overcoming challenges with resilience.
Gold Heart Day:
World Sketchnote Day:
National Arkansas Day: Nestled in the southeastern United States, the Natural State is home to picturesque mountain ranges, lush forests, and charming small towns.
Cigarettes Are Hazardous to Your Health Day:
National Girl Hug Boy Day: It's scientifically proven that hugs boost mood, reduce stress, and increase happiness. Spread some joy and positivity with a warm embrace.
Thank You Day: