What Happened on May 11?
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events
births
deaths
holidays
EVENTS ON MAY 11
Explore the most important historical events that happened on May 11, featuring key moments that shaped the world.
Pullman Strike
Year:
1894
Four thousand Pullman Palace Car Company workers go on a wildcat strike.
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Wham Paymaster robbery
Year:
1889
An attack upon a U.S. Army paymaster and escort results in the theft of over $28,000 and the award of two Medals of Honor.
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Mussel Slough Tragedy
Year:
1880
Seven people are killed in the Mussel Slough Tragedy, a gun battle in California.
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Uruguay
Year:
1919
Uruguay becomes a signatory to the Buenos Aires copyright treaty.
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Lubbock tornado
Year:
1970
The 1970 Lubbock tornado kills 26 and causes $250 million in damage.
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Pentagon Papers
Year:
1973
Citing government misconduct, Daniel Ellsberg's charges for his involvement in releasing the Pentagon Papers to The New York Times are dismissed.
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Aeroflot Flight 6551
Year:
1973
Aeroflot Flight 6551 crashes in Semey, Kazakh Soviet Socialist Republic (now Kazakhstan), killing all 63 aboard.
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Indian Rebellion of 1857
Year:
1857
Indian Rebellion of 1857: Indian rebels seize Delhi from the British.
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BIRTHS ON MAY 11
Discover famous people and historical figures born on May 11, including leaders, artists, scientists, and cultural icons.
Edward J. King
Year of birth:
1925
Edward J. King, American politician, 66th Governor of Massachusetts (died 2006)
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Antony Hewish
Year of birth:
1924
Antony Hewish, English astronomer and academic, Nobel Prize laureate (died 2021)
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Gene Savoy
Year of birth:
1927
Gene Savoy, American explorer, author, and scholar (died 2007)
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Bernard Fox (actor)
Year of birth:
1927
Bernard Fox, British actor (died 2016)
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Gerhard Klingenberg
Year of birth:
1929
Gerhard Klingenberg, Austrian actor (died 2024)
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Richard Feynman
Year of birth:
1918
Richard Feynman, American physicist and engineer, Nobel Prize laureate (died 1988)
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Camilo José Cela
Year of birth:
1916
Camilo José Cela, Spanish author and politician, Nobel Prize laureate (died 2002)
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Lise de Baissac
Year of birth:
1905
Lise de Baissac, Mauritian SOE agent, war hero (died 2004)
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DEATHS ON MAY 11
Look back at notable individuals who passed away on May 11, and learn about their lasting influences on history.
George Lyon (golfer)
Year of death:
1938
George Lyon, Canadian golfer and cricketer (born 1858)
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Gilbert Jessop
Year of death:
1955
Gilbert Jessop, English cricketer (born 1874)
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Jozef Murgaš
Year of death:
1929
Jozef Murgaš, Slovak-American priest, architect, botanist, and painter (born 1864)
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Juan Gris
Year of death:
1927
Juan Gris, Spanish painter and sculptor (born 1887)
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Big Jim Colosimo
Year of death:
1920
James Colosimo, Italian-American mob boss (born 1878)
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John D. Rockefeller Jr.
Year of death:
1960
John D. Rockefeller Jr., American businessman and philanthropist (born 1874)
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Herbert Spencer Gasser
Year of death:
1963
Herbert Spencer Gasser, American physiologist and academic, Nobel Prize laureate (born 1888): 169
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Bob Marley
Year of death:
1981
Bob Marley, Jamaican singer-songwriter and guitarist (born 1945)
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HOLIDAYS ON MAY 11
See which holidays, observances, and special celebrations take place on May 11 around the world.
Anthimus of Rome
Christian feast day: Anthimus of Rome
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Mamertus
Christian feast day: Mamertus, the first of the Ice Saints
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Gangulphus
Christian feast day: Gangulphus of Burgundy
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Maiolus of Cluny
Christian feast day: Majolus of Cluny
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