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Musical Monikers
Madonna
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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.
May 11
Events on This Day
-
1927
86 years ago
MGM Studios chief Louis B. Mayer founds the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, and names Douglas Fairbanks Sr. the organization's first president.
-
1973
40 years ago
Charges against military strategist Daniel Ellsberg for his role in the Pentagon Papers case are dismissed and cited as government misconduct.
-
2000
13 years ago
Film star George Clooney returns to the hugely popular hospital drama ER in a surprise cameo as character Dr. Doug Ross.
-
2007
6 years ago
After an endorsement from Tony Blair, Gordon Brown officially launches his campaign to become Britain's prime minister.
May 11
Born on This Day
-
Salvador Dalí
- In these groups:
- Famous Hispanic Artists
- Famous Taureans
- Famous Painters
Salvador Dalí
Painter, Filmmaker, Writer / 1904 - 1989
Salvador Dali is best known for his long surrealist painting career.
Born: May 11, 1904
Birthplace: Figueres, Spain
Occupation: Painter, Filmmaker, Writer -
Christian Brando
- In these groups:
- Fatally Famous
- Famous Taureans
- Famous Artists
Christian Brando
Artist, Murderer / 1958 - 2008
Christian Brando was the eldest son of Hollywood legend Marlon Brando. He was convicted of voluntary manslaughter for killing his half-sister’s boyfriend.
1958 | 49 years old
Artist, Murderer -
Irving Berlin
- In these groups:
- Name Changers
- Best Song Oscar Winners
- The Ed Sullivan Show Guests
Irving Berlin
Songwriter / 1888 - 1989
Irving Berlin was one of the most prolific and popular songwriters of the 20th century, counting among his many hits "White Christmas" and "Cheek to Cheek."
1888 | 101 years old
Songwriter -
Natasha Richardson
- In these groups:
- Sparks On The Set
- AIDS Activists
- Famous Taureans
Natasha Richardson
Theater Actress, Television Actress / 1963 - 2009
British actress of stage and screen Natasha Richardson won a Tony Award for her work in the Broadway show Cabaret before dying in a tragic skiing accident.
Born: May 11, 1963
Birthplace: London, England, United Kingdom
Occupation: Theater Actress, Television Actress -
Louis Farrakhan
- In these groups:
- Famous Taureans
- Famous Black Activists
- Famous Civil Rights Activists
Louis Farrakhan
Civil Rights Activist, Religious Leader / 1933 -
Louis Farrakhan has led the Nation of Islam, an African American movement that combined elements of Islam with black nationalism since 1978.
1933 | 80 years old
Civil Rights Activist, Religious Leader -
Phil Silvers
- In these groups:
- Elementals
- The Ed Sullivan Show Guests
- Famous Taureans
Phil Silvers
Television Actor / 1911 - 1985
Phil Silvers is an American comedian best known for his portrayal of the fast-talking gambler Sergeant Ernest Bilko in The Phil Silvers Show.
1911 | 74 years old
Television Actor
May 11
Died on This Day
-
Bob Marley
- In these groups:
- Reggae Artists
- Famous Aquarians
- Famous Singers
Bob Marley
Songwriter, Singer / 1945 - 1981
Jamaican singer, musician and songwriter Bob Marley served as a world ambassador for reggae music and sold more than 20 million records throughout his career—making him the first international superstar to emerge from the so-called Third World.
Died: May 11, 1981
Age: 36 years old
Place: Miami, Florida , United States
Occupation: Songwriter, Singer -
John D. Rockefeller Jr.
- In these groups:
- The Rockefeller family
- Famous Aquarians
- Famous People Named John
John D. Rockefeller Jr.
Philanthropist / 1874 - 1960
Philanthropist John D. Rockefeller Jr. was the only son of John D. Rockefeller and heir to his fortune. He is known for building Rockefeller Center in New York City.
1960 | 86 years old
Philanthropist -
Floyd Patterson
- In these groups:
- The Ed Sullivan Show Guests
- Olympic Boxers
- Famous Black Athletes
Floyd Patterson
Boxer / 1935 - 2006
American boxer Floyd Patterson was the first to hold the world heavyweight championship twice. He won a gold medal in the 1952 Olympic Games.
2006 | 71 years old
Boxer
Email Updates
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Play Nowprofile name: Salvador Dalí profile occupation: Painter, Filmmaker, Writer
profile id: 235819
profile name: Christian Brando profile occupation: Artist, Murderer
profile id: 9209473
profile name: Irving Berlin profile occupation: Songwriter
profile id: 425204
profile name: Natasha Richardson profile occupation: Theater Actress, Television Actress
profile id: 9291850
profile name: Louis Farrakhan profile occupation: Civil Rights Activist, Religious Leader
profile id: 9483885
profile name: Phil Silvers profile occupation: Television Actor
profile id: 9399524
profile name: Bob Marley profile occupation: Songwriter, Singer
profile id: 9461357
profile name: John D. Rockefeller Jr. profile occupation: Philanthropist
profile id: 9434776
profile name: Floyd Patterson profile occupation: Boxer
profile id: 9403666
profile name: Louis B. Mayer profile occupation: Filmmaker
profile id: 17176398
profile name: Daniel Ellsberg profile occupation: Journalist
profile id: 9251385
profile name: George Clooney profile occupation: Activist
profile id: 9214379
profile name: Tony Blair profile occupation: Environmental Activist
profile id: 9292252
profile name: William Faulkner profile occupation: Author
profile id: 9409583
profile name: Liza Minnelli profile occupation: Singer
profile id: 9286072
profile name: T.S. Eliot profile occupation: Writer
profile id: 9360746
profile name: Gary Kasparov profile occupation: Chess Player
profile id: 37744
profile name: Claribel Alegría profile occupation: Poet
profile id: 38193
profile name: Ritchie Valens profile occupation: Musician
profile id: 37024
profile name: Tony Pérez profile occupation: Baseball Player
profile id: 36923
profile name: Ellen Wilson profile occupation: U.S. First Lady
Your Connections
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Upcoming Birthdays
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Claribel Alegría
- In these groups:
- Famous Taureans
- Famous Poets
- Famous People Born in 1924
Claribel Alegría
Journalist, Poet / 1924 -
Nicaraguan writer Claribel Alegria, a major voice in contemporary Central American literature, was known for her volume of poetry, Flowers from the Volcano.
May 12, 1924
Poet -
Ritchie Valens
- In these groups:
- Aviation Accident Victims
- Name Changers
- Famous People Who Died in Accidents
Ritchie Valens
Songwriter, Singer / 1941 - 1959
Mexican-American musician Ritchie Valens is best known for his hit "La Bamba." His successful career was cut short when he died in a plane crash at age 17.
May 13, 1941
Musician -
Tony Pérez
- In these groups:
- Hispanic Athletes
- Famous Taureans
- Famous Baseball Players
Tony Pérez
Baseball Player / 1942 -
Tony Pérez was a professional baseball player in the 1960s and 1970s who was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2000.May 14, 1942
Baseball Player -
Ellen Wilson
- In these groups:
- Influential Women of Washington
- U.S. First Ladies
- Famous Taureans
Ellen Wilson
U.S. First Lady / 1860 - 1914
While her husband Woodrow was president, First Lady Ellen Wilson advocated improved housing conditions for D.C.'s black population.
May 15, 1860
U.S. First Lady
Famous Taureans
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Tony Pérez
- In these groups:
- Hispanic Athletes
- Famous Taureans
- Famous Baseball Players
Tony Pérez
Baseball Player / 1942 -
Tony Pérez was a professional baseball player in the 1960s and 1970s who was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2000.May 14, 1942
Baseball Player -
Hosni Mubarak
- In these groups:
- Famous Taureans
- Famous People Born in 1928
- Famous Egyptians
Hosni Mubarak
World Leader / 1928 -
Hosni Mubarak became president of Egypt in 1981—following Anwar el-Sadat's assassination—and served in that position until 2011, when popular unrest forced him to resign.May 4, 1928
World Leader
