May 11
Overview
Holidays & Observances
Christianfeast day:
Anthimus of Rome, Gangulphus of Burgundy, Majolus of Cluny, Mamertus, the first of theIce Saints
On May 11th, Christians commemorate the feast days of several saints: Anthimus of Rome, Gangulphus of Burgundy, Majolus of Cluny, and Mamertus, the first of the Ice Saints.
Anthimus of Rome
Saint Anthimus of Rome was a 3rd-century bishop and martyr, celebrated for his steadfast faith under persecution.
Gangulphus of Burgundy
Saint Gangulphus of Burgundy was an 8th-century Frankish knight renowned for his piety, generosity, and miraculous deeds.
Majolus of Cluny
Saint Majolus of Cluny was the fourth abbot of Cluny Abbey, celebrated for his leadership in monastic reform during the 10th century.
Mamertus, the first of theIce Saints
Saint Mamertus was a 5th-century bishop of Vienne and serves as the first of the Ice Saints in European weather lore.
Events
Constantine the Great dedicates the much-expanded and rebuilt city of Byzantium, changing its name to New Rome and declaring it the new capital of the Eastern Roman Empire.
Emperor Constantine the Great dedicated Byzantium as New Rome, making it the capital of the Eastern Roman Empire.
A copy of the Diamond Sūtra is published, the earliest dated and printed book known.
The Diamond Sūtra, the world’s oldest dated printed book, was published in China using woodblock printing.
In the first coronation ceremony ever held for an English monarch, Edgar the Peaceful is crowned King of England, having ruled since 959 AD. His wife, Ælfthryth, is crowned queen, the first recorded coronation for a Queen of England.
Edgar the Peaceful and his wife Ælfthryth became the first English king and queen to undergo formal coronation ceremonies.
Matilda of Flanders, wife of William the Conqueror, is crowned Queen of England.
Matilda of Flanders, wife of William the Conqueror, was crowned Queen of England in 1068, reinforcing Norman authority.
Louis IX of France and James I of Aragon sign the Treaty of Corbeil, renouncing claims of feudal overlordship in one another's territories and separating the House of Barcelona from the politics of France.
Louis IX of France and James I of Aragon signed the Treaty of Corbeil in 1258, redefining their realms' boundaries.
Great Northern War: After losing the Battle of Helsinki to the Russians, the Swedish and Finnish troops burn the entire city, so that it would not remain intact in the hands of the Russians.
During the Great Northern War in 1713, Swedish and Finnish forces burned Helsinki to deny it to the Russians.
Prime Minister Spencer Perceval is assassinated by John Bellingham in the lobby of the British House of Commons.
British Prime Minister Spencer Perceval was assassinated in 1812, becoming the only PM to be killed in office.
William Lawson, Gregory Blaxland and William Wentworth discover a route across the Blue Mountains, opening up inland Australia to settlement.
In 1813, explorers Lawson, Blaxland, and Wentworth found a route across the Blue Mountains, opening Australia’s interior.
Indian Rebellion of 1857: Indian rebels seize Delhi from the British.
During the Indian Rebellion of 1857, rebels captured Delhi from British control, igniting a major uprising.
Births
Niwa Nagashige
Niwa Nagashige was a Japanese feudal lord and head of the Niwa clan during the late Sengoku and early Edo periods. He served under Toyotomi Hideyoshi and Tokugawa Ieyasu, governing multiple domains.
Johann Gottfried Bernhard Bach
Johann Gottfried Bernhard Bach was a German organist and the second son of composer Johann Sebastian Bach. He performed as a church organist in Mühlhausen during his brief career.
Johann Friedrich Blumenbach
Johann Friedrich Blumenbach was a German physician and naturalist who is considered one of the founders of physical anthropology. He is known for his work in comparative anatomy and the classification of human races.
José Mariano Salas
José Mariano Salas was a Mexican general and statesman who briefly served as provisional president during the Mexican–American War. He is remembered for restoring centralist government amidst national crisis.
Jean-Jacques Challet-Venel
Jean-Jacques Challet-Venel was a Swiss Federal Councilor and President of the Confederation in 1867. He played a key role in the expansion of Switzerland's railway network.
Chang and Eng Bunker
Chang and Eng Bunker were the Siamese-American conjoined twin brothers who inspired the term "Siamese twins." They toured widely as showmen in the 19th century.
Charles W. Fairbanks
Charles W. Fairbanks was an American lawyer and politician who served as the 26th Vice President under Theodore Roosevelt. He was known for his conservative stance within the administration.
Jack Blackham
Jack Blackham was an Australian cricketer renowned as one of the finest wicket-keepers of his era. He played in the first Test match in 1877.
Archibald Warden
Archibald Warden was an English tennis player who competed in major championships in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. He took part in Wimbledon tournaments.
Deaths
Leo VI the Wise
Byzantine Emperor from 886 to 912, the second ruler of the Macedonian dynasty.
Matteo Ricci
Italian Jesuit priest and mathematician who pioneered East-West cultural exchange in Ming China.
William Pitt
British statesman who served as Prime Minister and led Britain to victory during the Seven Years' War.
John Hart
American lawyer and politician who signed the Declaration of Independence for New Jersey.
Spencer Perceval
British Prime Minister and the only British head of government to be assassinated.
Tom Cribb
Champion English bare-knuckle boxer famed for his early 19th century prizefights.
Juliette Récamier
French salon hostess and businesswoman whose gatherings influenced Napoleonic and Restoration France.
Frederick Innes
Scottish-born Australian politician who served as the 9th Premier of Tasmania.
John Cadbury
English entrepreneur and philanthropist who founded the Cadbury chocolate company.