All Events

Historical Events on May 11

  • Christopher Columbus

    1502

    Christopher Columbus departs Cádiz on his fourth and final voyage to the Americas.

  • Louis XIV of France

    1672

    Franco-Dutch War: Louis XIV of France invades the Netherlands.

  • Mexican-American War

    1846

    President James K. Polk asked for a Declaration of War against Mexico, starting the Mexican-American War. It is approved on May 13.

  • Indian Rebellion of 1857

    1857

    Indian Rebellion of 1857: Indian rebels seize Delhi from the British.

  • CSS Virginia

    1862

    American Civil War: The ironclad CSS Virginia is scuttled in the James River northwest of Norfolk, Virginia.

  • Glacier National Park (U.S.)

    1910

    An act of the U.S. Congress establishes Glacier National Park in Montana.

  • Battle of Attu

    1943

    World War II: American troops invade Attu Island in the Aleutian Islands in an attempt to expel occupying Japanese forces.

  • Thailand

    1949

    Siam officially changes its name to Thailand for the second time. The name had been in use since 1939 but was reverted in 1945.

  • Adolf Eichmann

    1960

    In Buenos Aires, Argentina, four Israeli Mossad agents capture fugitive Nazi Adolf Eichmann who is living under the alias of Ricardo Klement.

All Births

Famous Birthdays on May 11

All Deaths

Famous Deaths on May 11

10. May

12. May