April 11
1814
Napoleon was exiled to the island of Elba.
1898
President William McKinley asked Congress for a declaration of war against Spain.
1899
The treaty ending the Spanish-American War took effect.
1905
Albert Einstein reveals his Theory of Relativity
1921
Iowa imposed the first state cigarette tax.
1921
The first live sports event on radio took place this day on KDKA Radio. The event was a boxing match between Johnny Ray and Johnny Dundee.
1945
Allies liberated Buchenwald concentration camp.
1947
Jackie Robinson became the first black player in major league baseball history. He played in an exhibition game for the Brooklyn Dodgers.
1951
President Harry Truman fired General Douglas McArthur.
1966
NBC broadcasted the last episode of "Hulabaloo."
1968
President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the 1968 Civil Rights Act.
1970
Apollo 13 blasted off on a mission to the moon that was cut short when an explosion crippled the spacecraft.
1981
President Ronald Reagan returned to the White House after he was shot in an assassination attempt.
2007
Science-fiction writer Kurt Vonnegut died in New York City at age 84.
Birthdays
78 Johnny Sheffield Actor
77 Joel Grey Actor
70 Louise Lasser Actress ("Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman")
66 Harley Race Professional wrestler
62 Peter Riegert Actor
62 Meshach Taylor Actor ("Designing Women")
59 Bill Irwin Actor
48 Lucky Vanous Actor
48 Nigel Pulsford Rock musician
46 Chris Ferguson Poker player
40 Dustin Rhodes (Goldust) Professional wrestler
39 Dylan Keefe Rock musician (Marcy Playground)
39 Johnny Messner Actor
38 Vicellous Shannon Actor
37 Jason Varitek Baseball player (Boston Red Sox)
35 Tricia Helfer Actress ("Battlestar Galactica")
30 Chris Gaylor Rock musician (The All-American Rejects)
29 Mark Teixeira Baseball player (New York Yankees)