May 11

Today in History
• 0330 - Constantinople (Byzantium) becomes capital of Roman Empire
• 1421 - Jews are expelled from Styria Austria
• 1548 - Great fire in Brielle
• 1689 - Battle of Bantry Bay, French and English naval battle
• 1751 - Pennsylvania Hospital founded in Philadelphia
• 1752 - 1st U.S. fire insurance policy issued (Philadelphia)
• 1772 - Amsterdam theater destroyed by fire, 18 killed
• 1792 - Columbia River discovered and named by U.S. Captain Robert Gray


Holidays - Traditional and Obscure
• Hostess CupCake Day
• Make a Book Day
• National Eat What You Want Day
• National Technology Day
• National Twilight Zone Day
• Somerset Day
• World Ego Awareness Day
• Data Innovation Day (Data Innovation Summit)

Birthdays
• 1568 - Christian I, ruler of Anhalt-Bernburg, Battle of White Mountain
• 1654 - Cornelis van Alkemade, Dutch historian
• 1733 - Victoire of France, daughter of king Louis XV
• 1799 - John Lowell, American philanthropist
• 1807 - Ira Aldridge, Great 19th century black Shakespearian actor
• 1811 - Chang and Eng Bunker, Chinese Siamese twins
• 1852 - Charles W. Fairbanks, 26th Vice President of the United States
• 1875 - Harriet Quimby, aviator, 1st woman in the US to receive a pilot certificate