January 11 in History

49 events 532 – 2020

January 11 spans 49 recorded events across recorded history — from 532 – 2020. Below is a curated digest of the most significant moments tied to this date.

By · Wikipedia

Illinois Governor George Ryan commutes the death sentences of 167 prisoners on I

2003 — Illinois Governor George Ryan commutes the death sentences of 167 prisoners on Illinois's death row based on the Jon Burge scandal

Did you know

In 2003, Illinois Governor George Ryan commutes the death sentences of 167 prisoners on Illinois's death row based on the Jon Burge scandal. This featured entry focuses on the immediate decision and its direct historical impact.

Did you know

The governor of Illinois is the head of government of Illinois, and the various agencies and departments over which the officer has jurisdiction, as prescribed in the state constitution. This helps explain why the event mattered beyond the initial announcement.

Did you know

It is a directly elected position, votes being cast by popular suffrage of residents of the state. This clarifies the institutional and public response around the event.

Did you know

The governor is responsible for endorsing or vetoing laws passed by the Illinois General Assembly. This shows how the event shaped policy and public communication in the same period.

Did you know

The office also carries the power of pardon and commutation under state law. This helps explain why the event mattered beyond the initial announcement.


Nika riots in Constantinople: A quarrel between supporters of different chariot teams—the Blues and the Greens—in the Hippodrome escalates into violence.
532 Byzantine revolt against Justinian I
The Nika riots, Nika revolt or Nika sedition took place against Byzantine emperor Justinian I in Constantinople over the course of a week in 532 AD. They are often regarded as the most violent riots in the city's history, with nearly half of Constantinople being burned or destroyed and tens of thousands of people killed.
Read More
532
Conquest of Mecca: Muhammad and his followers conquer the city, and the Quraysh association of clans surrenders.
Military campaign in early Muslim history, 629–630 CE
The conquest of Mecca was a military campaign undertaken by Muhammad and his companions during the Muslim–Quraysh War. They led the early Muslims in an advance on the Quraysh-controlled city of Mecca in December 629 or January 630. The fall of the city to Muhammad formally marked the end of the conflict between his followers and the Quraysh tribal confederation.
Read More
630
Sack of Mecca by the Qarmatians.
Qarmatian attack on the Abbasids
The Sack of Mecca occurred on 11 January 930, when the Qarmatians of Bahrayn sacked the Muslim holy city amidst the rituals of the Hajj pilgrimage.
Read More
930
Theodora is crowned empress of the Byzantine Empire.
Byzantine empress from 1042 to 1056
Theodora Porphyrogenita was Byzantine Empress from 21 April 1042 to her death on 31 August 1056, and sole ruler from 11 January 1055. She was the last sovereign of the Macedonian dynasty that ruled the Byzantine Empire for almost 200 years.
Read More
1055
Vladislaus II, Duke of Bohemia becomes King of Bohemia.
Duke of Bohemia (r. 1140–58); King of Bohemia (r. 1158–73)
Vladislaus II or Vladislav II was the Duke of Bohemia from 1140 and then King of Bohemia from 1158 until his abdication in 1173. He was the second Bohemian king after Vratislaus II, but in neither case was the royal title hereditary.
Read More
1158
First recorded lottery in England.
Gambling that involves the drawing of numbers at random for a prize
A lottery is a form of gambling that involves the drawing of numbers at random for a prize. Some governments outlaw lotteries, while others endorse them to the extent of organizing a national or state lottery. It is common to find some degree of regulation of lottery by governments. The most common regulations are prohibition of sale to minors and licensing of ticket vendors. Although lotteries were common in the United States and some other countries during the 19th century, by the beginning of the 20th century, most forms of gambling, including lotteries and sweepstakes, were illegal in the U.S. and most of Europe as well as many other countries. This remained so until well after World War II. In the 1960s, casinos and lotteries began to re-appear throughout the world as a means for governments to raise revenue without raising taxes.
Read More
1569
Arauco War: A Spanish army is defeated by local Mapuche-Huilliches as it tries to cross Bueno River in Southern Chile.
Conflict between Spanish settlers of Chile and indigenous peoples (16th–17th centuries)
The Arauco War was a long-running conflict between colonial Spaniards and the Mapuche people, mostly fought in the Araucanía region of Chile. The conflict began at first as a reaction by the Mapuche to the Spanish conquerors attempting to establish cities and force the natives into servitude. It subsequently evolved over time into phases comprising drawn-out sieges, slave-hunting expeditions, pillaging raids, punitive expeditions, and renewed Spanish attempts to secure lost territories. Abduction of women and war rape was common on both sides.
Read More
1654
The first American life insurance company, the Corporation for Relief of Poor and Distressed Presbyterian Ministers and of the Poor and Distressed Widows and Children of the Presbyterian Ministers (now part of Unum Group), is incorporated in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Insurance that pays benefits upon the policyholder's death
Life insurance is a contract insurance policy holder and an insurer or assurer, where the insurer promises to pay a designated beneficiary a sum of money upon the death of an insured person. Depending on the contract, other events such as physical complications or illness can also trigger payment. The policyholder typically pays a premium, either regularly or as one lump sum. The benefits may include other expenses, such as funeral expenses.
Read More
1759
William Herschel discovers Titania and Oberon, two moons of Uranus.
German-British astronomer and composer (1738–1822)
Frederick William Herschel was a German–British astronomer and composer. He frequently collaborated with his younger sister and fellow astronomer Caroline Herschel. Born in the Electorate of Hanover, he followed his father into the military band of Hanover, before immigrating to Britain in 1757 at the age of 19.
Read More
1787
The Michigan Territory is created.
Territory of the US, 1805–1837
The Territory of Michigan was an organized incorporated territory of the United States that existed from June 30, 1805, until January 26, 1837, when the final extent of the territory was admitted to the Union as the State of Michigan. Detroit was the territorial capital.
Read More
1805
Advertisement

Born on January 11

20 people 1988 – 2002
Elly De La Cruz
Elly De La Cruz
Dominican baseball player
Elly Antonio De La Cruz is a Dominican professional baseball shortstop for the Cincinnati Reds of Major League Baseball (MLB). He signed with the Reds as an international free agent in 2018 and made his MLB debut in…
Read More
2002
Lee Chae-yeon
Lee Chae-yeon
South Korean singer-songwriter
Lee Chae-yeon is a South Korean singer, dancer, and actress. She was a member of the South Korean-Japanese girl group Iz*One, and made her solo debut in 2022 with her first extended play (EP), Hush Rush.
Read More
2000
Jeanette Hegg Duestad
Jeanette Hegg Duestad
Norwegian sport shooter
Jeanette Hegg Duestad is a Norwegian sport shooter. Her achievements include winning individual gold medal in rifle shooting at both the 2022 and 2025 ISSF World Shooting Championships, as well as team gold medals in…
Read More
1999
Lim Sung-jin
Lim Sung-jin
South Korean volleyball player
Lim Sung-jin is a South Korean indoor volleyball player. He plays as an outside hitter for Uijeongbu KB Insurance Stars in the V-League.
Read More
1999
Brandon Wakeham
Brandon Wakeham
Australian-Fijian rugby league player
Brandon Wakeham is a Fiji international rugby league footballer who plays as a hooker or halfback for the Manly Sea Eagles in the NRL.
Read More
1999
Thomas Mikaele
Thomas Mikaele
New Zealand rugby league player
Thomas Mikaele is a professional rugby league footballer who plays as a prop for the North Queensland Cowboys in the National Rugby League (NRL).
Read More
1998
Cody Simpson
Cody Simpson
Australian singer-songwriter, guitarist, and actor
Cody Robert Simpson is an Australian singer, actor, and a former competitive swimmer. Since his debut as a recording artist, he has released four solo studio albums: Paradise (2012), Surfers Paradise (2013), Free…
Read More
1997
Leroy Sané
Leroy Sané
German footballer
Leroy Aziz Sané is a German professional footballer who plays as a winger for Süper Lig club Galatasaray and the Germany national team.
Read More
1996
Nick Solak
Nick Solak
American baseball player
Nicholas Blake Solak is an American professional baseball second baseman and outfielder in the San Diego Padres organization. He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Texas Rangers, Atlanta…
Read More
1995
Chris Boucher
Chris Boucher
Saint Lucian-Canadian basketball player
Christopher Boucher is a Saint Lucian-Canadian professional basketball player who last played for the Boston Celtics of the National Basketball Association (NBA). Born in Saint Lucia, he played college basketball for…
Read More
1993
Park Junghwan
Park Junghwan
South Korean Go player
Park Junghwan is a South Korean professional Go player of 9-dan rank.
Read More
1993
Michael Keane
Michael Keane
English footballer
Michael Vincent Keane is an English professional footballer who plays as a centre-back for Premier League club Everton.
Read More
1993
Will Keane
Will Keane
Irish footballer
William David Keane is a professional footballer who plays as a forward or attacking midfielder for Reading, on loan from Preston North End, and the Republic of Ireland national team.
Read More
1993
Dani Carvajal
Dani Carvajal
Spanish footballer
Daniel Carvajal Ramos is a Spanish professional footballer who plays as a right-back for La Liga club Real Madrid, which he captains, and the Spain national team.
Read More
1992
Lee Seung-hoon
Lee Seung-hoon
South Korean rapper and dancer
Lee Seung-hoon, also known by the mononym Hoony, is a South Korean rapper and dancer. His musical career began in 2011 as a contestant in the first installation of K-pop Star (2011–2012); where he caught the attention…
Read More
1992
Andrea Bertolacci
Andrea Bertolacci
Italian footballer
Andrea Bertolacci is an Italian professional footballer who plays as a midfielder.
Read More
1991
Malik Jackson
Malik Jackson
American football player
Malik Barron Jackson is an American former professional football player who was a defensive tackle for 10 seasons in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Tennessee Volunteers. Jackson…
Read More
1990
Demario Davis
Demario Davis
American football player
Demario Davis is an American professional football linebacker for the New York Jets of the National Football League (NFL). He was selected by the Jets in the third round of the 2012 NFL draft. He played college football…
Read More
1989
Kane Linnett
Kane Linnett
Australian rugby league player
Kane Linnett is a former Scotland international rugby league footballer, who plays as a centre or second-row forward for Sarina Crocodiles in the Mackay & District Rugby League.
Read More
1989
Epiphanny Prince
Epiphanny Prince
American-Russian basketball player
Epiphanny Prince is a Russian-American former professional basketball player.
Read More
1988
See all birthdays on January 11

Died on January 11

20 people 2013 – 2026
Richard Codey
Richard Codey
American politician, 53rd Governor of New Jersey (born 1946)
Richard James Codey was an American politician who served as the 53rd governor of New Jersey from 2004 to 2006. A member of the Democratic Party, he served in the New Jersey Senate from 1982 to 2024 and as the President…
Read More
2026
Carole Cook
Carole Cook
American actress and singer (born 1924)
Mildred Frances Cook, known professionally as Carole Cook, was an American actress, active on screen and stage, best known for appearances on Lucille Ball's comedy television series The Lucy Show and Here's Lucy.
Read More
2023
Michael Atiyah
Michael Atiyah
British-Lebanese mathematician (born 1929)
Sir Michael Francis Atiyah was a British-Lebanese mathematician specialising in geometry. His contributions include the Atiyah–Singer index theorem and co-founding topological K-theory. He was awarded the Fields Medal…
Read More
2019
Edgar Ray Killen
Edgar Ray Killen
American murderer (born 1925)
Edgar Ray Killen was an American Ku Klux Klan organizer who planned and directed the murders of James Chaney, Andrew Goodman, and Michael Schwerner, three civil rights activists participating in the Freedom Summer of…
Read More
2018
Adenan Satem
Adenan Satem
Malaysian politician and Chief Minister of Sarawak, Malaysia (born 1944)
Adenan bin Satem, popularly known as Tok Nan, was a Malaysian politician and lawyer who served as the fifth chief minister of Sarawak from 2014 until his death in January 2017. A president of Parti Pesaka Bumiputera…
Read More
2017
Monte Irvin
Monte Irvin
American baseball player (born 1919)
Monford Merrill "Monte" Irvin was an American left fielder and right fielder in the Negro leagues and Major League Baseball (MLB) who played with the Newark Eagles, New York Giants (1949–1955) and Chicago Cubs (1956).…
Read More
2016
David Margulies
American actor (born 1937)
David Joseph Margulies was an American actor. He is known for his role as Lenny Clotch, the Mayor of New York City in Ghostbusters (1984) and Ghostbusters II (1989), and his recurring role as Neil Mink on The Sopranos…
Read More
2016
Jenő Buzánszky
Jenő Buzánszky
Hungarian footballer and coach (born 1925)
Jenő Buzánszky was a Hungarian football player and coach. He played as a right back for Hungary and during the 1950s he was a member of the legendary squad known as the Golden Team. Other members of the team included…
Read More
2015
Anita Ekberg
Anita Ekberg
Swedish-Italian model and actress (born 1931)
Kerstin Anita Marianne Ekberg was a Swedish actress active in American and European films, known for her beauty and curvaceous figure. She became prominent in her iconic role as Sylvia in the Federico Fellini film La…
Read More
2015
Chashi Nazrul Islam
Chashi Nazrul Islam
Bangladeshi director and producer (born 1941)
Chashi Nazrul Islam was a Bangladeshi film director and producer. He won Bangladesh National Film Award for Best Director twice for the films Shuvoda in 1986 and Hangor Nodi Grenade in 1997. He was awarded Ekushey Padak…
Read More
2015
Vernon Benjamin Mountcastle
American neuroscientist and academic (born 1918)
Vernon Benjamin Mountcastle was an American neurophysiologist and Professor Emeritus of Neuroscience at Johns Hopkins University. He discovered and characterized the columnar organization of the cerebral cortex in the…
Read More
2015
Keiko Awaji
Keiko Awaji
Japanese actress (born 1933)
Keiko Awaji was a Japanese stage and film actress.
Read More
2014
Muhammad Habibur Rahman
Muhammad Habibur Rahman
Indian-Bangladeshi jurist and politician, Prime Minister of Bangladesh (born 1928)
Muhammad Habibur Rahman was a Bangladeshi jurist and statesman who served as Chief Justice of Bangladesh in 1995. He was Chief Adviser of the 1996 caretaker government which oversaw the June 1996 Bangladeshi general…
Read More
2014
Chai Trong-rong
Chai Trong-rong
Taiwanese educator and politician (born 1935)
Chai Trong-rong, sometimes known in English as Trong Chai, was a Taiwanese politician.
Read More
2014
Ariel Sharon
Ariel Sharon
Israeli general and politician, 11th Prime Minister of Israel (born 1928)
Ariel "Arik" Sharon was an Israeli general and politician who served as the prime minister of Israel from March 2001 until April 2006.
Read More
2014
Guido Forti
Italian businessman, founded the Forti Racing Team (born 1940)
Guido Forti was the founder and team manager of the now-defunct Formula One team Forti.
Read More
2013
Nguyễn Khánh
Nguyễn Khánh
Vietnamese general and politician, 3rd President of South Vietnam (born 1927)
Nguyễn Khánh was a Vietnamese military officer and politician. A general of the Army of the Republic of Vietnam, he was the leader of South Vietnam from January 1964 until February 1965 while at the head of a military…
Read More
2013
Mariangela Melato
Mariangela Melato
Italian actress (born 1941)
Mariangela Caterina Melato, sometimes billed as Maria Angela Melato, was an Italian actress. She is most remembered for her roles in films of director Lina Wertmüller, including The Seduction of Mimi (1972), Love and…
Read More
2013
Tom Parry Jones
Tom Parry Jones
Welsh chemist, invented the breathalyzer (born 1935)
Thomas Parry Jones OBE was a Welsh scientist, inventor and entrepreneur, who was responsible for developing and marketing the first handheld electronic breathalyser, winning the Queen's Award for Technological…
Read More
2013
Alemayehu Shumye
Ethiopian runner (born 1988)
Alemayehu Shumye Tafere was an Ethiopian long-distance runner who specialised in marathon running.
Read More
2013
See all deaths on January 11
Related questions

More questions about January 11

What happened on January 11?

A featured event on this date is 2003: Illinois Governor George Ryan commutes the death sentences of 167 prisoners on Illinois's death row based on the Jon Burge scandal. This page also lists 49 events from other years on the same day.

Why is January 11 remembered in history?

January 11 brings together events, births, and deaths across many eras, which makes it useful for seeing how one calendar date connects different historical turning points.

Who was born on January 11?

Notable birthdays on this date include Elly De La Cruz, Lee Chae-yeon, Jeanette Hegg Duestad.

See birthdays

Who died on January 11?

Notable deaths on this date include Richard Codey, Carole Cook, Michael Atiyah.

See deaths
Short answer

What happened on January 11 in history?

On January 11, one notable event in history was 2003: Illinois Governor George Ryan commutes the death sentences of 167 prisoners on Illinois's death row based on the Jon Burge scandal..

This date currently highlights 49 recorded events on thisDay.info, spanning 532 – 2020.

DateJanuary 11
Featured year2003
LocationHistorical Location
Events listed49

Explore January 11

Jump between the main pages for this date to compare events, people, and the daily quiz.

Explore January 11

Advertisement

Explore history for any date on the interactive calendar.

Open the Calendar All Blog Posts

History runs on facts, and this project runs on coffee!

Your support is incredibly helpful and genuinely appreciated.

Support with a coffee ☕