John F. Kennedy
Famous Military Veterans
Marilyn Monroe
Anthony Weiner
My Ghost Story
I Survived
Babe Ruth
Johnny Cash
Georgia O'Keefe
I Survived
On This Day
Discover events that happened On This Day including famous birthdays and notable deaths. Each day we highlight famous people, past and present, who have impacted our world. Browse sections by selecting the links below or click the calendar to view events on another day.
August 11
Events on This Day
-
1929
84 years ago
Babe Ruth becomes the first baseball player to hit 500 home runs in his career.
-
1966
47 years ago
At a news conference in Chicago, John Lennon apologizes for saying the Beatles are "more popular than Jesus.”
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1973
40 years ago
American Graffiti opens in theaters. Directed by George Lucas, the coming-of-age film helped launch the careers of Richard Dreyfuss and Harrison Ford.
-
1984
29 years ago
President Reagan causes a frenzy when he jokes on live radio that he “signed legislation that will outlaw Russia forever. We begin bombing in five minutes.”
August 11
Born on This Day
-
Steve Wozniak
- In these groups:
- Modern Titans of Tech
- Apple Icons
- Cast of Dancing with the Stars
Steve Wozniak
Entrepreneur, Computer Programmer, Engineer, Inventor / 1950 -
Steve Wozniak is an American computer scientist best known as one of the founders of Apple and the inventor of the Apple II computer.
Born: August 11, 1950
Age: 62 years old
Birthplace: San Jose, California, United States
Occupation: Entrepreneur, Computer Programmer, ... -
Alex Haley
- In these groups:
- Famous Black Writers
- Famous Military Veterans
- Famous Leos
Alex Haley
Journalist, Author / 1921 - 1992
Alex Haley was an American writer whose works of historical fiction and reportage depicted the struggles of African Americans.
1921 | 70 years old
Journalist, Author -
Hulk Hogan
- In these groups:
- Fantastic Facial Hair
- Athletes Involved in Drug Scandals
- Famous Leos
Hulk Hogan
Animal Rights Activist, Athlete, Reality Television Star / 1953 -
Hulk Hogan was one of the most beloved figures in the World Wrestling Federation in the 1980s, known for his flamboyance and the frenzy of his fans—Hulkamania.
1953 | 59 years old
Animal Rights Activist, Athlete, ... -
Jerry Falwell
- In these groups:
- Famous Leos
- Famous Evangelists
- Famous Ministers
Jerry Falwell
Radio Talk Show Host, Evangelist, Minister, Pastor, Television Personality / 1933 - 2007
Jerry Falwell is a religious leader, political activist and television evangelist. He restarted The Moral Majority Coalition in 2004.
Born: August 11, 1933
Birthplace: Lynchburg, Virginia, United States
Occupation: Radio Talk Show Host, Evangelist, ... -
Pervez Musharraf
- In these groups:
- Failed Assassinations
- Famous Leos
- Famous Military Leaders
Pervez Musharraf
General, World Leader / 1943 -
Pervez Musharraf went from military leader to president of Pakistan after a bloodless coup in 1998.1943 | 69 years old
General, World Leader -
Viola Davis
- In these groups:
- Famous Movie Teachers
- Famous Leos
- Famous Actresses
Viola Davis
Film Actress, Theater Actress / 1965 -
Viola Davis has earned raves for such films as Doubt and The Help, and for such Broadway plays as King Hedley II and Fences.
1965 | 47 years old
Film Actress, Theater Actress
August 11
Died on This Day
-
Jackson Pollock
- In these groups:
- Automobile Accident Victims
- Jackson Pollock and Lee Krasner
- Famous Aquarians
Jackson Pollock
Painter / 1912 - 1956
Famous 20th century artist Jackson Pollock revolutionized the world of modern art with his unique abstract painting techniques.
Died: August 11, 1956
Age: 44 years old
Place: East Hampton, New York , United States
Occupation: Painter -
Andrew Carnegie
- In these groups:
- Rags to Riches
- Captains of Industry
- Famous Sagittarians
Andrew Carnegie
Entrepreneur, Philanthropist / 1835 - 1919
Andrew Carnegie, a self-made steel tycoon and one of the wealthiest 19th century U.S. businessmen, donated towards the expansion of the New York Public Library.
1919 | 83 years old
Entrepreneur, Philanthropist -
Edith Wharton
- In these groups:
- Groundbreaking Women
- Famous Aquarians
- Famous People Named Edith
Edith Wharton
Author / 1862 - 1937
Novelist Edith Wharton was born to an old New York family, but is better known for her books Ethan Frome and The Age of Innocence.
1937 | 75 years old
Author
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profile name: Alex Haley profile occupation: Journalist, Author
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profile name: Hulk Hogan profile occupation: Animal Rights Activist, Athlete, ...
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profile name: Jerry Falwell profile occupation: Radio Talk Show Host, Evangelist, ...
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profile name: Pervez Musharraf profile occupation: General, World Leader
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profile name: Viola Davis profile occupation: Film Actress, Theater Actress
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profile name: Jackson Pollock profile occupation: Painter
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profile name: Andrew Carnegie profile occupation: Entrepreneur, Philanthropist
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profile name: Edith Wharton profile occupation: Author
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profile name: Babe Ruth profile occupation: Baseball Player
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profile name: John Lennon profile occupation: Songwriter
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profile name: George Lucas profile occupation: Filmmaker
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profile name: Richard Dreyfuss profile occupation: Actor
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profile name: Henry Ford profile occupation: Entrepreneur
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profile name: Ronald Reagan profile occupation: U.S. Governor
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profile name: Meriwether Lewis profile occupation: Explorer
profile id: 9359474
profile name: Duke Kahanamoku profile occupation: Professional Swimmer
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profile name: Jason Priestley profile occupation: Film Actor
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profile name: Carl Lewis profile occupation: Track and Field Athlete
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profile name: Jesse Owens profile occupation: Track and Field Athlete
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profile name: Alexei Nikolaevich profile occupation: Duke
profile id: 23032
profile name: Debi Mazar profile occupation: Television Actress
profile id: 38811
profile name: Alexander I of Serbia profile occupation: King
profile id: 23198
profile name: Debra Messing profile occupation: Television Actress
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Upcoming Birthdays
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Alexei Nikolaevich
- In these groups:
- Famous Leos
- Famous Dukes
- Famous Princes
Alexei Nikolaevich
Duke, Prince, Tsar / 1904 - 1918
Alexei Nikolaevich was the only son of Nicholas II, the last tsar of Russia, and the tsarina Alexandra. He was killed with his family during the Russian Revolution.
August 12, 1904
Duke -
Debi Mazar
- In these groups:
- Famous Leos
- Famous Actresses
- Famous Film Actresses
Debi Mazar
Film Actress, Television Actress / 1964 -
Debi Mazar is an actress known for roles in films such as Goodfellas and The Doors and the TV series Entourage.August 13, 1964
Television Actress -
Alexander I of Serbia
- In these groups:
- Famous Leos
- Famous Kings
- Famous People Named Alexander
Alexander I of Serbia
King / 1876 - 1903
Aleksandar Obrenovi was King of Serbia (1889–1903), whose authoritarian reign resulted in his assassination and the end of the Obrenovi dynasty.
August 14, 1876
King -
Debra Messing
- In these groups:
- Famous Leos
- Famous Actresses
- Famous Film Actresses
Debra Messing
Film Actress, Television Actress / 1968 -
Debra Messing is a TV and film actress who hit it big as Grace Adler on the sitcom Will & Grace.August 15, 1968
Television Actress
Famous Leos
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Paul Anka
- In these groups:
- Famous Celebrity Couples
- The Ed Sullivan Show Guests
- Famous Leos
Paul Anka
Film Actor, Television Actor, Songwriter, Guitarist, Pianist, Singer / 1941 -
One of the biggest classic pop performers, Canadian singer-songwriter Paul Anka moved from teen heartthrob to adult artist with a slew of hits.
July 30, 1941
Film Actor, Television Actor, Songwriter, Guitarist, Pianist, Singer -
William Atherton
- In these groups:
- Famous Leos
- Famous Actors
- Famous Film Actors
William Atherton
Film Actor, Theater Actor, Television Actor / 1947 -
William Atherton is an American actor known for playing heavies in films like Ghostbusters and Die Hard.
July 30, 1947
Film Actor, Theater Actor, Television Actor
