Notable Birthdays for December 11
George Mason (1725-1792) - A founding father of the U.S. who refused to sign the Constitution.
Isaac Shelby (1750-1826) - Militiaman in the Revolutionary War and the War of 1812.
Hiram Paulding (1797-1878) - Rear Admiral for the Union Navy.
Annie Jump Cannon (1863-1941) - Astronomer who helped classify stars.
Walter Knott (1889-1981) - Founder of Knott's Berry Farm.
Marge (1904-1993) - Cartoonist and creator of the cartoon Little LuLu.
Willie Mae "Big Mama" Thornton (1926-1984) -Singer of the blues hits Hound Dog and Ball and Chain.
Jim Harrison (1937-2016) - Novelist who wrote Legends of the Fall.
Michael Lang (1944-2022) - Concert promoter who was also a co-creator the Woodstock Music and Art Festival (1969).
Brenda Lee (1944-Still Living) - Singer of Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree.
Teri Garr (1944-2024) - Actress known for her role in Tootsie and Mr. Mom.
Jermaine Jackson (1954-Still Living) - Musician and member of the Jackson 5.
Nikki Sixx (1958-Still Living) - Bass player and member of the rock band Motley Crue.
Curtis "Fitz" Williams (1962-Still Living) - Keyboard player for Kool and The Gang.
Gary Dourdan (1966-Still Living) - Actor known for his role as Warrick Brown on CSI: Crime Scene Investigation.
Frank Rubio (1975-Still Living) - NASA astronaut who holds the U.S. record longest spaceflight.
Memorable Events for December 11
1620 - The Mayflower comes ashore in Plymouth Bay.
1815 - The U.S. Senate creates a select committee on finance and a uniform national currency.
1816 - Indiana becomes the 19th state to join the Union.
1844 - Nitrous oxide is used for the first time in a dental procedure.
1909 - A colored moving picture is demonstrated in NY City.
1928 - An assassination attempt is thwarted against President Hoover by Buenos Aires police.
1934 - Co-founder of Alcoholics Anonymous.
1941 - Nazi Germany and Fascist Italy declare war against the U.S.
1961 - President Kennedy provides military helicopters and crews to South Vietnam
1980 - The Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (Superfund) is enacted by the Congress.
1971 - The Libertarian Party is formed in the U.S.
2008 - Bernie Madoff is arrested and charged with securities fraud in a $50 billion Ponzi scheme.