On This Day: 11 July

11 July in Indian history

• 2006Mumbai train bombings: 209 people are killed in a series of bomb attacks in Mumbai, India.India
• 1979America's first space station, Skylab, is destroyed as it re-enters the Earth's atmosphere over the Indian Ocean.India
• 1405Marking the start of the Ming treasure voyages, a Chinese expeditionary fleet led by Zheng He set sail for foreign regions of the South China Sea and the Indian Ocean.India

11 July in world history

• 2011An explosion at the Evangelos Florakis Naval Base killed 13 people, including the head of the Cyprus Navy.
• 2010Spain defeated the Netherlands 1–0 after extra time to win their first FIFA World Cup title (pictured lifting the trophy).
• 2010The Islamist militia group Al-Shabaab carried out multiple suicide bombings in Kampala, Uganda, killing 74 people and injuring 85 others.
• 1995Yugoslav Wars: Srebrenica massacre begins, lasting until 22 July.
• 1973Varig Flight 820 crashes near Paris on approach to Orly Airport, killing 123 of the 134 on board. In response, the FAA bans smoking in airplane lavatories.
• 1971The nationalization of all large copper mines in Chile is completed.
• 1962Project Apollo: At a press conference, NASA announces lunar orbit rendezvous as the means to land astronauts on the Moon, and return them to Earth.
• 1943World War II: Allied invasion of Sicily: German and Italian troops launch a counter-attack on Allied forces in Sicily.
• 1921The Red Army captures Mongolia from the White Army and establishes the Mongolian People's Republic.
• 1864American Civil War: Confederate forces under Jubal Early began an unsuccessful attempt to capture Washington, D.C..
• 1848Waterloo Bridge Station, which later became Britain's busiest railway station by passenger usage, was opened by the London and South Western Railway.
• 1804A duel occurs in which the Vice President of the United States Aaron Burr mortally wounds former Secretary of the Treasury Alexander Hamilton.
• 1796The United States takes possession of Detroit from Great Britain under terms of the Jay Treaty.
• 1792The Belfast Harp Festival, an early event in the Gaelic revival, began at the Assembly Rooms.
• 1789French Revolution: Jacques Necker was dismissed as Director-General of Finances of France, sparking public demonstrations in Paris that led to the storming of the Bastille.

Born on 11 July

• 1966Rod Strickland, American basketball player and coach
• 1956Amitav Ghosh, Indian-American author and academicIndia
• 1953Suresh Prabhu, Indian accountant and politician, Indian Minister of RailwaysIndia
• 1953Piyasvasti Amranand, Thai businessman and politician, Thai Minister of Energy
• 1934Giorgio Armani, Italian fashion designer, founded the Armani Company (died 2025)
• 1923Tun Tun, Indian actress and comedian (died 2003)India

Died on 11 July

• 2014Carin Mannheimer, Swedish author and screenwriter (born 1934)
• 2014Randall Stout, American architect, designed the Taubman Museum of Art (born 1958)
• 2004Laurance Rockefeller, American financier and philanthropist (born 1910)
• 472Anthemius, Roman emperor (born 420)

Frequently asked questions

What happened on 11 July in history?

2011: An explosion at the Evangelos Florakis Naval Base killed 13 people, including the head of the Cyprus Navy. 2010: Spain defeated the Netherlands 1–0 after extra time to win their first FIFA World Cup title (pictured lifting the trophy). 2010: The Islamist militia group Al-Shabaab carried out multiple suicide bombings in Kampala, Uganda, killing 74 people and injuring 85 others. 2006: Mumbai train bombings: 209 people are killed in a series of bomb attacks in Mumbai, India.

What happened on 11 July in Indian history?

2006: Mumbai train bombings: 209 people are killed in a series of bomb attacks in Mumbai, India. 1979: America's first space station, Skylab, is destroyed as it re-enters the Earth's atmosphere over the Indian Ocean. 1405: Marking the start of the Ming treasure voyages, a Chinese expeditionary fleet led by Zheng He set sail for foreign regions of the South China Sea and the Indian Ocean.

Which famous people were born on 11 July?

Rod Strickland, American basketball player and coach (1966); Amitav Ghosh, Indian-American author and academic (1956); Suresh Prabhu, Indian accountant and politician, Indian Minister of Railways (1953); Piyasvasti Amranand, Thai businessman and politician, Thai Minister of Energy (1953).

Which day is observed on 11 July?

World Population Day; China National Maritime Day (China); Day of the Bandoneón (Argentina); Day of the Flemish Community (Flemish Community of Belgium); Eleventh Night (Northern Ireland).