February 11
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Featured Event
© AP/REX/Shutterstock.com
Julia Childâs The French Chef premieres
On this day in 1963, Julia Childâs cooking show The French Chef debuted on Bostonâs public TV station as a regular series. Public television was rather dull at the time, but viewers were instantly charmed by Childâs demeanor and warm energy. Though she made mistakes, Child did not bat an eye, and she embraced any missteps as part of the one-take filming processâwhich was all that the crew could afford at the time. By the end of 1965, The French Chef was airing on almost 100 stations across the country as an instant classic. [Read todayâs edition of Today in History > >]
Featured Biography
Featured Biography
National Library of Medicine, Bethesda, Maryland
Often called the father of modern philosophy, scientist, mathematician, and philosopher RenĂ© Descartes, who introduced new philosophical insights with the statement âI think, therefore I am,â died this day in 1650.
Famous Birthdays
More on February 11
PH2 Mark KettenhofenâU.S. Department of Defense
2012
American rhythm-and-blues singer Whitney Houstonâwho emerged as a pop superstar in the 1980s, especially known for her soaring voiceâdied at age 48. [Test your knowledge of pop music.]
Eric Draper/The White House
2011
Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak stepped down after nearly 30 years in power, following the pro-democracy uprisings known as the Arab Spring. [Take our Middle East world leaders quiz.]
© Alexander JoeâAFP/Getty Images
1990
After serving 27 years in prison, Nelson Mandela was released, and he subsequently began negotiations with President F.W. de Klerk that ended apartheid in South Africa. [Read some of Nelson Mandelaâs inspirational quotes.]
Carol FrancavillaâAP/Shutterstock.com
1989
The Reverend Barbara Harris of the Protestant Episcopal Church became the first female bishop in the Anglican Communion. [Sort fact from fiction in our world religions quiz.]
AP Images
1975
British politician Margaret Thatcher was elected leader of the Conservative Party, replacing Edward Heath; she became Europeâs first woman prime minister in 1979. [Test your knowledge of notable prime ministers.]
© Kevin Winter/Getty Images
1969
American actress Jennifer Aniston, who achieved stardom on the popular television sitcom Friends (1994â2004) and launched a successful film career, was born. [Take our quiz about the â90s.]
© Christopher Halloran/Shutterstock.com
1964
Sarah Palinâwho, as John McCainâs running mate in the 2008 U.S. presidential election, was the first woman to appear on a Republican presidential ticketâwas born in Idaho. She was often criticized for âgoing rogueââthat is, diverging from the messages she was instructed to endorse as McCainâs running mate. [Read about seven female firsts in U.S. politics.]
© Imperial War Museums/Getty Images
1945
The Yalta Conference between the Allied leaders of World War II came to a close. During the meeting, leaders planned the final defeat and occupation of Nazi Germany. [Sort fact from fiction in our quiz about World War II.]
© emiklos/Fotolia
1929
Benito Mussolini of Italy and Pietro Gasparri of the Vatican signed the Lateran Treaty, recognizing papal sovereignty over Vatican City, an enclave in Rome.
© Pascal PavaniâAFP/Getty Images
1858
In the French town of Lourdes, 14-year-old Bernadette Soubirous, a millerâs daughter, first had visions of the Virgin Mary that were authenticated by Pope Pius IX in 1862.
Courtesy of the Edison National Historical Site, West Orange, N.J.
1847
Inventor Thomas Edison, who, singly or jointly, held a world record of 1,093 patents and who played a critical role in introducing the modern age of electricity, was born in Ohio. [Take our inventors and inventions quiz.]
Image: EncyclopĂŠdia Britannica, Inc.
1753
Pennsylvania Hospital, the first hospital in the United States, began admitting patients; it was cofounded by Benjamin Franklin. [Take our quiz about medical terms and pioneers.]