Birthdays & Historical Events – June 11

1776

1776

A Committee of Five are appointed to draft a declaration of independence.

The Continental Congress appoints Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Roger Sherman, and Robert R. Livingston to the Committee of Five to draft a declaration of independence.

June 11, 1776

1919

1919

The first horse wins the Triple Crown.

Sir Barton wins the Belmont Stakes, becoming the first horse to win the U.S. Triple Crown.

June 11, 1919

1936

1936

Inventor Edwin Armstrong demonstrates FM broadcasting for the first time.

Inventor Edwin Armstrong demonstrates FM broadcasting for the first time. He played a jazz record first using AM and then switched to FM. Nearly 500 engineers were amazed on the clear, static-free sound.

June 11, 1936

1942

1942

The U.S. agrees to send Lend-Lease aid to the Soviet Union.

The United States agrees to send Lend-Lease aid to the Soviet Union. The aid was given free-of-charge as help for the defense of the U.S. during WWII.

June 11, 1942

1962

1962

Three men escape from Alcatraz Island.

After six months of preparation, Frank Morris, John Anglin and Clarence Anglin become the only prisoners to escape from the prison on Alcatraz Island. The men created papier-mâché model heads resembling their own likenesses into their beds and escaped through the ventilation ducts.

June 11, 1962

1963

1963

John F. Kennedy addresses Americans proposing the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

John F. Kennedy addresses Americans proposing the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The Act which guaranteed equal access to public facilities, ending segregation in education, and guaranteeing federal protection for voting rights.

June 11, 1963

1968

1968

The first cell surface antigens were identified.

Lloyd J. Old identifies the first cell surface antigens. The identification led to differentiating different cell types.

June 11, 1968

1970

1970

The first women receive their ranks as generals in the U.S. Army

Anna Mae Hays and Elizabeth P. Hoisington become the first women to officially receive their ranks as U.S. Army general officers.

June 11, 1970

2001

2001

Timothy McVeigh is executed for his role in the Oklahoma City bombing.

Timothy McVeigh is executed for his role in the Oklahoma City bombing for domestic terrorism. One-third of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building was destroyed, killing 168 people and injuring 684 people.

June 11, 2001

2002

2002

Antonio Meucci is acknowledged as the first inventor of the telephone.

Congress passes a resolution (H.Res.269) and acknowledges Antonio Meucci as the first inventor of the telephone. This Resolution clarified Meucci’s work on his "teletrofono" predated Alexander Graham Bell's patent.

June 11, 2002