Fact 1: The Kennedy Space Center Launched its First American Rocket
On May 11, 1960, the first U.S. rocket named Bumper 8 was launched from the Kennedy Space Center, located at Cape Canaveral in Florida. The rocket was famously used in the Bumper-WAC project, a two-stage rocket program that involved a V-2 first stage and a WAC Corporal second stage.
Fact 2: The Segway Was Patented
Dean Kamen, a renowned inventor, and entrepreneur, was awarded the patent for the Segway PT on May 11, 1999. The Segway is a two-wheeled, self-balancing, battery-powered electric vehicle, which became remarkably popular in the tourism and private transportation sector.
Fact 3: The Formation of Minnesota as the 32nd State
Minnesota joined the United States as the 32nd state on May 11, 1858, marking a significant milestone in American history. This Midwestern state is famous for its lakes, hence being called the "Land of 10,000 Lakes".
Fact 4: The Premiere of the Iconic Film “The Treasure of the Sierra Madre”
On May 11, 1948, one of the most critically acclaimed films, “The Treasure of the Sierra Madre”, was released. The film was directed by the legendary John Huston and starred his father, Walter Huston, and famous actor Humphrey Bogart.
Fact 5: The Record-Breaking 26th Grand Slam Win of Margaret Court
Australian tennis player Margaret Court won her 26th Grand Slam title on May 11, 1973. Holding the record for the most grand slam titles won by a player in the history of tennis, she achieved this remarkable record at the French Open.
Fact 6: The Maiden Flight of the Eurofighter Typhoon
The first test flight of the Eurofighter Typhoon, a highly agile aircraft famous for its swing-role capabilities, took place on May 11, 1994. This fighter jet is widely used by various European countries and continues to be a significant part of the global aviation industry.
Fact 7: The Birth of Salvador DalÃ
World-famous Surrealist artist, Salvador DalÃ, was born on May 11, 1904. Known for his bizarre and striking imagery, DalÃ's most famous work is "The Persistence of Memory", showcasing melting clocks in a desert landscape.
Fact 8: The First American Woman to Walk in Space
On May 11, 1992, Dr. Kathryn Sullivan became the first American woman to walk in space as part of the Space Shuttle Challenger mission STS-41-G. This remains a landmark moment for women in science and space exploration.
Fact 9: New Zealand's Worst Railway Disaster
May 11, 1953, marked New Zealand's worst railway disaster when an overnight express train fell into the flooded Whangaehu River, leading to 151 fatalities. The Tangiwai disaster, as it is known, deeply affected the nation and led to significant changes in railway safety regulations.
Fact 10: The Formation of the World Health Organization
The World Health Organization, a crucial internationally recognized institution in public health, was formed on May 11, 1948. Its establishment marked a key development in global health policies and emergency responses.
Fact 11: The First Professional Baseball Game Recorded
The first professional baseball game ever recorded happened on May 11, 1875, between the Boston Red Stockings and the New York Mutuals. The game ended with a 15-5 victory for the Red Stockings.
Fact 12: The Thermometer was Standardized
On May 11, 1742, the mercury thermometer was standardized by a physicist named Anders Celsius. He introduced the centigrade scale, which has become a fundamental tool in temperature measurements around the globe.
Fact 13: The Birth of Irving Berlin
Irving Berlin, one of the greatest songwriters in American history known for his composition "White Christmas", was born on May 11, 1888. His contributions to musical theater and film are widely recognized and celebrated.
Fact 14: The Publication of "Experiments and Observations on Electricity”
On May 11, 1751, Benjamin Franklin's “Experiments and Observations on Electricity" was published. This work fundamentally changed the understanding of electricity and marked Franklin as a leading figure in the American Enlightenment period.
Fact 15: The Mail Delivery Experiment by Rocket
May 11, 1936, saw a unique experiment when a rocket was used for mail delivery for the first time in the United States. The rocket travelled about 1,600 feet and carried 3,000 pieces of mail.
Fact 16: The Release of the Beatles' Film, "Let It Be"
On May 11, 1970, the Beatles' documentary film "Let It Be" was released in the United Kingdom. The film showcases the band's recording sessions and their final live concert.
Fact 17: The First US Nickel Coin was Minted
The first US nickel coins were minted on May 11, 1866. The coin was called a shield nickel because it bore the image of a shield on its face, and they were produced until 1883.
Fact 18: The Birth of Martha Graham
Martha Graham, a significant figure in the evolution of contemporary dance, was born on May 11, 1894. Her innovative techniques revolutionized dance to a dynamic, expressive medium that holds its place in the performing arts.
Fact 19: The First Vitascope Motion Picture Presentation
On May 11, 1896, the first public Vitascope movie screenings took place at Danville, Kentucky's Opera House. The vitascope projector, an early form of movie projector, developed by Thomas Armat and Charles Francis Jenkins, made commercial movie screenings possible.
Fact 20: Mongol Dynasty cedes Taiwan to Japan in the Treaty of Shimonoseki
On May 11, 1895, under the Treaty of Shimonoseki, the Qing Dynasty of China ceded Taiwan to Japan, marking a major turning point in East Asian history. The treaty ended the first Sino-Japanese war, substantially changing the political dynamics of the region.