On this day, October 11 - Know what happened today in history

Throughout history, October 11 has marked significant events in space exploration, political revolutions, and cultural milestones. From NASA’s achievements in space missions to historic uprisings in China, this day holds a wealth of noteworthy moments.

100th Mission of NASA’s Space Shuttle Program (2000)

NASA's Space Shuttle Program reached a major milestone on this day in 2000. The 100th flight, known as STS-92, launched aboard the space shuttle Discovery. This mission, Discovery’s 30th journey into space, marked a turning point in space travel, as the program utilised reusable spacecraft to send astronauts into space, starting with Columbia in 1981. The fleet included Challenger, Atlantis, and Endeavour, and continued to revolutionise space exploration.

First American Woman to Walk in Space (1984)

Kathryn Dwyer Sullivan became the first American woman to perform a spacewalk on October 11, 1984. Sullivan, along with astronaut David Leestma, conducted a 3.5-hour spacewalk aboard the Space Shuttle Challenger during mission STS-41-G. The spacewalk aimed to explore satellite refuelling. This mission was notable not only for Sullivan's achievement but also for carrying two women astronauts, with Sally Ride joining the crew.

First Episode of Saturday Night Live Airs (1975)

On this day in 1975, Saturday Night Live (SNL) aired its first episode. Initially called NBC's Saturday Night, the show quickly became a staple of American television, known for its humour, satire, and live performances. Created and produced by Lorne Michaels, the original cast included comedy icons like Dan Aykroyd, John Belushi, and Chevy Chase. The show’s opening slogan, "Live from New York, it's Saturday Night!" became legendary.

Wuchang Uprising (1911)

The Wuchang Uprising in China on October 11, 1911, played a pivotal role in ending the Qing dynasty and laying the foundation for the Republic of China. This event is recognised as a national holiday in Taiwan, commemorating the start of the revolution that led to the establishment of the modern Chinese republic.

Second Boer War Begins (1899)

The Second Boer War between British and Irish forces and the Boers of the Transvaal and Orange Free State began on this day in 1899. The war, fuelled by disputes over the region’s gold and diamond resources, lasted almost three years, ending in 1902 with the annexation of both territories by the British. The term "Boer" refers to the Afrikaans-speaking settlers, predominantly farmers, who inhabited the region.

Births on This Day

1989: Michelle Wie, accomplished golfer
1942: Amitabh Bachchan, iconic Indian actor
1937: Bobby Charlton, legendary English footballer
1884: Eleanor Roosevelt, influential American politician, humanitarian, and former First Lady
1739: Grigory Potemkin, renowned Russian military leader and politician