Notable Birthdays for February 11
Jarena Lee (1783-1864) - The first female preachers in the U.S.
Lydia Maria Child (1802-1880) - Outspoken activist.
William Anderson Pile (1829-1889) - Brevet Major General for the Union Army.
Josiah Willard Gibbs (1839-1903) - Physicist who created statistical mechanics and became the first person to earn a doctorate in engineering in the U.S.
Thomas Edison (1847-1931) - One of the most prolific inventors of all time.
Ellen Day Hale (1855-1940) - Famous Impressionist painter.
Arthur Davison (1881-1950) - Co-founder of the Harley-Davidson Motor Company.
Margaret Heldt (1918-2016) - hairdresser who is credited with creating the beehive hairstyle.
Roy De Forest (1930-2007) - Artist known for his comical creations and use of bright colors.
Tina Louise (1934-Still Living) - Actress who played Ginger on Gilligan's Island.
Gene Vincent (1935-1971) - Pioneer of Rockabilly music and singer of Be-Bop-a-Lula.
Burt Reynolds (1936-2018) - Actor known for his roles in The Longest Yard and Smokey and the Bandit.
Bobby "Boris" Pickett (1938-2007) - Singer of Monster Mash.
Sheryl Crow (1962-Still Living) - Successful singer known for her hits songs All I Wanna Do and Picture.
Jennifer Aniston (1969-Still Living) - Actress who played Rachel Green on the sitcom Friends.
Taylor Lautner (1992-Still Living) - Actor who gained worldwide fame as Jacob in the Twilight series.
Memorable Events for February 11
1793 - The first law requiring slaves be returned to their owners is passed in the U.S.
1794 - The first session of the U.S. Senate begins.
1808 - Jesse Fell experiments with using coal for heating homes.
1855 - Michigan State University is founded.
1861 - The House of Representatives unanimously passes a resolution to not interfere with slavery in any state.
1870 - Utah becomes the second territory to allow women to vote.
1973 - The first POWs in North Vietnam are released.
1999 - Scientists warn about harmful impacts of genetically modified food.