February 11: Facts & Historical Events On This Day

Argentina canonized its first female saint, Saint María Antonia de Paz y Figueroa.

María Antonia de Paz y Figueroa, who lived during the 18th century, was a devout Jesuit who helped the poor and helped keep the Church's presence alive during a time of religious suppression.

The Armenian-Turkish land border opened for the first time in 35 years.

The border was opened briefly to allow a convoy of vehicles carrying aid to disaster-struck areas of Turkey affected by the 2023 Turkey-Syria Earthquake. The last time the border opened was in 1988 when Turkey sent aid to Armenia after another devastating earthquake.

Koalas were listed as endangered for the first time in Australian history.

While once prolific across Australia's vast eucalyptus forests, koalas have lost large amounts of habitat due to excessive land clearing, deforestation, bushfires, and drought. The endangered listing was announced for the Australian Capital Territory and the states of Queensland and New South Wales.

Researchers announced that gravitational waves had been discovered.

The discovery was made by researchers involved with the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory (LIGO). The collision of two black holes detected on September 14, 2015, led to this discovery.

A charity auction in Los Angeles saw the lyrics to “Candle in the Wind” sell to the highest bidder at a staggering $442,500.

Janet Reno became the first female to be appointed US Attorney General by President Clinton.

Nelson Mandela was released from prison after being incarcerated for 27 years in South Africa.

China lifted the country’s ban on literature by Aristotle, Shakespeare, and Dickens.

A 44 lb lobster was captured off the coast of Nova Scotia, Canada.

The Guinness World Records say the lobster is the heaviest marine crustacean ever found.

Margaret Thatcher became the leader of the British Conservative Party.

She also became the first woman to lead a majority party in the UK.

The comic book “Archie” was first published.

The comic came after Archie himself first appeared in a "Pep Comics" in December 1941.

The BBC broadcast the world’s first science fiction television program, an adaptation of the play R.U.R.

Rossumovi Univerzální Roboti (R.U.R., or Rossum's Universal Robots) was written by Czech playwright Karel Čapek in 1920 and introduced the word "robot" to the English language.

The Boston Bicycle Club was formed, becoming the first cycling club in the United States.

A steamboat patent was granted to the American engineer and inventor Robert Fulton.

The Holy Emperor Charles V and King Henry VIII of England became allies against France.

Japan was founded by its legendary first emperor, Emperor Jimmu.

When we say legendary, we mean it literally - it's quite possible that Emperor Jimmu never existed! This date is the traditional Japanese date based on early Japanese legends.