11 February in history

7 events that happened on 11 February, from 660 BCE to 1990.

  1. ✦ Anniversary of the day

    660 BCE 1,366 years ago

    Legendary founding of Japan by Emperor Jimmu

    According to the 8th-century chronicles, Jimmu, said to descend from the sun goddess Amaterasu, became Japan's first emperor on this day. The legend is commemorated as National Foundation Day.

  2. 1531 CE 495 years ago

    English clergy recognise Henry VIII as head of the Church

    Under threat of prosecution, the Convocation of Canterbury acknowledged Henry as Supreme Head of the Church in England 'as far as the law of Christ allows'. The full break with Rome followed by 1534.

    England

  3. 1752 CE 274 years ago

    Pennsylvania Hospital, the first in the American colonies, opens

    Founded by Benjamin Franklin and Dr Thomas Bond, the Pennsylvania Hospital admitted its first patients in Philadelphia. It was the first hospital in what became the United States.

    United States

  4. 1847 CE 179 years ago

    Thomas Edison is born in Milan, Ohio

    Edison patented more than 1,000 inventions, including the phonograph and a practical incandescent lamp. His laboratory at Menlo Park pioneered organised industrial research.

    Milan

  5. 1858 CE 168 years ago

    Bernadette Soubirous sees her first vision at Lourdes

    The 14-year-old miller's daughter reported seeing a lady in white in the grotto of Massabielle. Lourdes grew into one of the most visited Catholic pilgrimage sites in the world.

  6. 1929 CE 97 years ago

    Lateran Treaty creates Vatican City

    Mussolini's government and the Holy See agreed to recognise Vatican City as an independent state. The treaty ended the 'Roman Question' that had divided Church and Italian state since 1870.

  7. 1990 CE 36 years ago

    Nelson Mandela walks free after 27 years in prison

    Mandela left Victor Verster Prison near Paarl hand in hand with his wife Winnie, watched by millions on television. Four years later he was elected South Africa's first Black president.

    South Africa

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