February 11 in History: Famous Births, Events, and Deaths

february-11-in-history-famous-births

February 11 has witnessed several significant historical events and the birth of notable personalities. On this day in 660 BC, Japan’s first emperor, Jimmu, ascended the throne, while in 1929, the Lateran Treaty established formal relations between Italy and the Vatican. February 11 also marks the release of Nelson Mandela from prison in 1990, a pivotal moment in the fight against apartheid. Famous individuals born on this day include American novelist Ken Kesey, actors Shannon Doherty and Josh Brolin, and British writer Julian Barnes. Over the years, it has also been the day when influential figures like scientist Ralph Hersch and historian Lawrence Weiler passed away, making February 11 a day of both historical milestones and notable life events.

Famous People Born on February 11th

  • 1922: Ken Kesey American novelist, author of One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest.
  • 1933: Jack Larson American actor and writer.
  • 1940: Julian Barnes British novelist and essayist.
  • 1941: Shigeru Mizuki Japanese manga artist, famous for GeGeGe no Kitaro.
  • 1952: Barbara Hershey American actress, known for Hannah and Her Sisters.
  • 1956: John Grisham American author, known for legal thrillers like The Firm.
  • 1960: Shannon Doherty American actress, known for Beverly Hills, 90210.
  • 1963: Dan Brown American author of The Da Vinci Code.
  • 1970: Andrew O’Keefe Australian television presenter and lawyer.
  • 1972: Kelly Rowland American singer and member of Destiny’s Child.
  • 1975: Josh Brolin American actor, featured in many Hollywood films.
  • 1977: Natalie Dormer English actress, known for Game of Thrones.
  • 1982: Kelly Rowland American singer, member of Destiny’s Child.
  • 1985: Sophie Turner English actress, famous for Game of Thrones.
  • 1989: Rachel Miner American actress, known for Bionic Woman.
  • 1990: John Boyega British actor, known for Star Wars sequels.
  • 1992: Sophie Simmons American singer and TV personality.
  • 1995: Amandla Stenberg American actress, known for The Hunger Games.
  • 1998: Dove Cameron American actress and singer, known for Liv and Maddie.
  • 2000: Sophia Lillis American actress, known for It and I Am Not Okay With This.
  • Famous Events on February 11th

  • 660 BC: Japan’s First Emperor Jimmu ascended the throne, marking the legendary founding of Japan.
  • 1531: The Virgin Mary reportedly appeared in Guadalupe, Mexico, to Juan Diego, beginning a major religious tradition.
  • 1929: Lateran Treaty signed between Italy and the Vatican, establishing Vatican City as an independent state.
  • 1945: Yalta Conference – Allied leaders Franklin D. Roosevelt, Winston Churchill, and Joseph Stalin met during WWII to discuss postwar Europe.
  • 1975: Egypt and Israel negotiations – Egypt officially joined the peace process leading to the eventual Camp David Accords.
  • 1990: Nelson Mandela released from Victor Verster Prison in South Africa after 27 years, marking a turning point against apartheid.
  • 1999: President Boris Yeltsin resigns in Russia, making Vladimir Putin acting president.
  • 2011: Egyptian protests escalate during the Arab Spring, leading to the resignation of President Hosni Mubarak.
  • Famous People Who Died on February 11th

  • 1564: Galileo Galilei Italian astronomer, physicist, and engineer, often called the "father of modern science".
  • 1950: George Orwell British novelist and essayist, famous for 1984 and Animal Farm.
  • 1967: Carl Sandburg American poet and writer, known for his biography of Abraham Lincoln.
  • 1985: Orson Welles American actor, director, and writer, known for Citizen Kane.
  • 1990: Bobby Moore English footballer, captain of England’s 1966 World Cup-winning team.
  • 1994: John Candy Canadian actor and comedian, known for Planes, Trains and Automobiles.
  • 2004: Ray Charles American singer, songwriter, and pianist, a pioneer of soul music.
  • 2010: Lawrence Weiler American historian and author.
  • 2014: Harold Ramis American actor, director, and writer, known for Ghostbusters and Groundhog Day.
  • February 11th is a day marked by significant historical events, remarkable achievements, and the lives of influential personalities. From the legendary ascension of Japan’s first emperor to the release of Nelson Mandela and pivotal political milestones, this date has shaped history in profound ways. It has also been a day to celebrate the births of creative minds, actors, writers, and leaders who have left lasting legacies, while remembering those whose contributions ended on this day. Overall, February 11th reflects a rich tapestry of human accomplishment, struggle, and inspiration across centuries.