August 11: Facts & Historical Events On This Day

Fictional girl group HUNTR/X from the Netflix’s “KPop Demon Hunters” reached #1 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100, with their viral song “Golden.”

This marked the first time an all-female group topped the chart since Destiny's Child in 2001. Much like Gorillaz, HUNTR/X is voiced by real musicians.

Regions around Athens, Greece, were evacuated due to wildfires after the hottest June and July on record.

Argentinian soccer legend Lionel Messi officially announced his transfer to Paris Saint-Germain.

Messi ended his 20-year stint with FC Barcelona due to financial constraints at the Spanish soccer club.

Scientists discovered the oldest living Greenland Shark, with an estimated age of 392 years old.

The international team of scientists declared the shark the longest-living vertebrate in the world.

Airbedandbreakfast.com was launched by its three founders, which is now known as Airbnb.

The last total solar eclipse of the 20th century occurred and was visible from Europe and Asia.

The Apollo 11 astronauts were released from a three-week quarantine following their liftoff from the moon.

Legendary baseballer Babe Ruth became the first member of the 500 home run club.

The 500 home run club lists all the baseball batters who have hit 500 or more home runs throughout their career. By the end of his career, Ruth hit a total of 714 home runs.

American steamship S. S. Arapahoe became the first to use the signal “SOS” off Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, USA.

The distress signal had only recently been changed from "CQD" to "SOS" by the Berlin Radiotelegraph Conference, and the captain of S. S. Arapahoe was initially unsure which to use.

Inventor Harvey Hubbell patented the popular light bulb with a pull chain.

Joseph Pulitzer wrote an article in New York World to ask the public to donate towards constructing the pedestal for the Statue of Liberty.

Within just six months, his article had raised an incredible $100,000.

Harry S. Parmelee patented the fire sprinkler system.

The invention became very popular, and roughly 200,000 systems were sold between 1878 and 1882.

The world’s first roller skating rink opened in Rhode Island.

The rink was previously a dining room and, after renovation, was opened for the public.

Mount Papandayan volcano in Indonesia erupted, killing almost 3,000 people.

Pope Alexander VI, born Rodrigo de Borja became Pope.

Bishop William of St. Calais demolished the old Saxon church in Durham and laid the foundation for the new Norman Durham cathedral.

William of St. Calais was a Norman Monk and was appointed by William the Conqueror to update churches across the UK.

Roman general Claudius Silvanus fraudulently proclaimed himself Roman emperor and was hacked to death.