What Happened on April 11?

April 11 is National Pet Day — a celebration of animal companions — on the same date Apollo 13 blasted off toward the Moon in 1970, President Johnson signed the Civil Rights Act of 1968, and Confederates made a final demand for Fort Sumter's surrender.

• 1689 — William III and Mary II are crowned in England

  The joint coronation of William and Mary followed the Glorious Revolution — a largely bloodless transfer of power that strengthened Parliament over the monarchy. Read the full story →

• 1861 — Confederates demand the surrender of Fort Sumter

  General P.G.T. Beauregard sent a final message to Union Major Robert Anderson demanding he evacuate Fort Sumter in Charleston Harbor — Anderson refused, and fighting began the next day. Read the full story →

• 1951 — President Truman relieves General Douglas MacArthur of command

  Truman removed MacArthur during the Korean War after the general publicly challenged the president's strategy — a dramatic clash over civilian control of the military. Read the full story →

• 1968 — President Johnson signs the Civil Rights Act of 1968

  One week after Martin Luther King Jr.'s assassination, Johnson signed a law banning discrimination in housing — the Fair Housing Act — completing major civil rights legislation of the 1960s. Read the full story →

• 1970 — Apollo 13 launches toward the Moon

  A Saturn V rocket lifted off from Florida carrying astronauts Jim Lovell, Jack Swigert, and Fred Haise — beginning a mission that would become a famous rescue in space. Read the full story →

Famous birthdays

Joel Grey (1932) · Joss Stone (1987) · Jason Varitek (1972) · Ellen Galinsky (1941)

Days & observances

National Pet Day · National Submarine Day · National Cheese Fondue Day · World Parkinson's Day