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

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March 11 has witnessed many important moments in world history. On this day in 2011, Japan was struck by a devastating earthquake and tsunami that led to the Fukushima nuclear disaster. In 1990, Lithuania declared its independence from the Soviet Union, becoming the first republic to do so. Historically, this date marks both triumph and tragedy across nations. Many notable people share this day, including media mogul Rupert Murdoch and British author Douglas Adams. March 11 continues to remind the world of human resilience and the ever-changing course of history.

Famous people born on March 11

  • Rupert Murdoch (1931), Australian-American media mogul and founder of News Corporation.
  • Douglas Adams (1952), British author best known for The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy.
  • Anton Yelchin (1989), Russian-American actor known for his role in the Star Trek film series.
  • Terrence Howard (1969), American actor and musician known for Hustle & Flow and Empire.
  • Alex Kingston (1963), English actress recognized for roles in ER and Doctor Who.
  • Thora Birch (1982), American actress known for American Beauty and Ghost World.
  • Nina Hagen (1955), German singer and actress often called the Godmother of Punk.
  • Bobby McFerrin (1950), American singer and composer famous for Don’t Worry, Be Happy.
  • Johnny Knoxville (1971), American actor and stunt performer best known for Jackass.
  • Mark Metcalf (1946), American actor known for roles in Animal House and Buffy the Vampire Slayer.
  • Sam Donaldson (1934), American journalist and longtime ABC News correspondent.
  • Paul Wall (1981), American rapper and DJ from Houston, Texas.
  • William Moseley (1987), English actor known for The Chronicles of Narnia film series.
  • Jodie Comer (1993), English actress acclaimed for her performance in Killing Eve.
  • Johnny Appleseed (1774), American pioneer nurseryman and folk hero who introduced apple trees across the Midwest.
  • Famous events on March 11

  • 222, Roman Emperor Elagabalus and his mother Julia Soaemias were assassinated in Rome.
  • 1702, The first regular English language daily newspaper, The Daily Courant, was published in London.
  • 1861, The Constitution of the Confederate States of America was adopted in Montgomery, Alabama.
  • 1941, The United States Congress passed the Lend Lease Act to provide aid to Allied nations in World War II.
  • 1942, General Douglas MacArthur left the Philippine island of Corregidor as Japanese forces closed in.
  • 1985, Mikhail Gorbachev was elected General Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union.
  • 1990, Lithuania adopted the Act of the Re-Establishment of the State of Lithuania and declared independence from the Soviet Union.
  • 2004, Coordinated bomb attacks on commuter trains in Madrid killed and injured hundreds in one of Europe’s deadliest terrorist attacks.
  • 2011, A magnitude 9.0 earthquake and tsunami struck northeastern Japan, triggering a major nuclear accident at Fukushima.
  • 2020, The World Health Organization characterized COVID-19 as a global pandemic.
  • Famous people who died on March 11

  • 222 Elagabalus, Roman Emperor known for his controversial reign.
  • 222 Julia Soaemias, mother of Emperor Elagabalus and influential Roman figure.
  • 1544 Torquato Tasso, Italian poet celebrated for his epic Jerusalem Delivered.
  • 1850 William Wordsworth, English Romantic poet famous for The Prelude.
  • 1914 V. Stasov, Russian art critic and supporter of realist art and music.
  • 1955 Alexander Fleming, Scottish bacteriologist who discovered penicillin.
  • 1971 Philo Farnsworth, American inventor who developed the first electronic television.
  • 1988 Bob Steele, American film actor known for his roles in Westerns.
  • 2006 Slobodan Milošević, former President of Serbia and Yugoslavia.
  • 2012 Jean Giraud (Moebius), French artist and cartoonist known for his influential work in comics.
  • 2016 Keith Emerson, British musician and keyboardist of the band Emerson, Lake & Palmer.
  • 2018 Ken Dodd, British comedian and singer famous for his long career in entertainment.
  • 2021 Vachik Mangassarian, Iranian-American actor known for roles in Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. and Curb Your Enthusiasm.
  • 2022 Emilio Delgado, American actor best known for playing Luis on Sesame Street.
  • 2023 Ignacio López Tarso, Mexican actor recognized for his performance in Macario.
  • March 11 stands as a significant date marked by moments of innovation, resilience, and change throughout human history. From the creation of groundbreaking ideas and cultural achievements to events that tested global unity and strength, this day reflects the diversity of human experience. It reminds us of the power of progress, the lessons of the past, and the enduring spirit that shapes the world’s story.