On This Day - What Happened On June 11 - Encyclopedia Britannica

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2001 Oklahoma City bomber executed Timothy McVeigh—convicted of the bombing of a federal building in Oklahoma City on April 19, 1995, which killed 168 people in what was then the worst terrorist attack in the U.S.—was executed this day in 2001. David Longstreath/AP Images.

Featured Biography

Jacques Cousteau French ocean explorer and engineer bornJune 11, 1910Saint-Andre-de-Cubzac, FrancediedJune 25, 1997 (aged 87)Paris, FranceStock Connection/SuperStock 1960 Mehmet Oz Turkish American surgeon, educator, and author 1959 Hugh Laurie British actor 1956 Joe Montana American football player 1933 Gene Wilder American actor 1913 Vince Lombardi American football coach See All Biographies On This Day

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2014 American actress and activist Ruby Dee, who was known for her pioneering work in African American theatre and film and for her outspoken civil rights activism, died at age 91. Take our quiz about actors and acting© 1989 Do the Right Thing/Universal Pictures 2010 The 19th men's FIFA World Cup opened in the host country of South Africa, marking the first time that the tournament was played on the African continent. Sort fact from fiction in our football (soccer) quiz© Hannah Peters/Getty Images 2002 The reality competition TV series American Idol debuted, and it became one of the most-watched shows in the United States.American Idol Prod/19 Tv/Fox Tv Network/Fremantle Media North America/Kobal/Shutterstock.com 1982 Steven Spielberg's blockbuster E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial was released in theatres. Today it is widely seen as a classic of American cinema. Take our movie quiz© Universal Studios/ILM/Amblin/PRNewsFoto/AP Images 1950 Capping a dramatic recovery from a near-fatal automobile accident, American golfer Ben Hogan won the U.S. Open. Test your knowledge of golfUPI/Bettmann Archive 1949 Hank Williams debuted on the Grand Ole Opry radio show with “Lovesick Blues.” Thrilled by his performance, the audience demanded that he sing it six more times.© Bob Grannis/Leila Grossman—Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images 1927 American aviator Charles Lindbergh was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross by U.S. President Calvin Coolidge. Take our quiz about early aviationLibrary of Congress, Washington, D.C. 1919 With his victory in the Belmont Stakes, Sir Barton became the first winner of the Triple Crown of American horse racing. Test your knowledge of famous horses 1898 The Guangxu emperor issued his first reform decree initiating the Hundred Days of Reform, an imperial attempt at renovating the Chinese state and social system. Sort fact from fiction in our China quiz 1880 Jeannette Rankin, the first woman to be a member of the U.S. Congress (1917–19, 1941–43), was born in Montana. Test your knowledge of famous firsts for womenLibrary of Congress, Washington, D.C. 1742 The empress Maria Theresa of Austria decided to make peace with Prussian King Frederick II, ceding almost all of Silesia to him in the Treaty of Breslau, which marked the end of the First Silesian War. Sort fact from fiction in our quiz about European historyEncyclopædia Britannica, Inc. 1509 Henry VIII wed Catherine of Aragon, the first of his six wives. Pope Clement VII's later refusal to annul the marriage triggered the break between Henry and the Roman Catholic Church and led to the English Reformation. How much do you know about Henry VIII and his wives?© Everett Historical/Shutterstock.com SIGN UP FOR History's Biggest Headlines Discover the fascinating events that shaped the world, straight from our editors. SIGN UP Thanks for signing up for Today in History. Your first newsletter will arrive soon! SIGN UP By clicking "Sign Up" you are agreeing to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.