Major Events
- Apr 12 The first US colonists on the Pacific coast arrive at Cape Disappointment, Washington
- Jul 5 Venezuelan Declaration of Independence: 7 provinces declare themselves independent of Spain
- Sep 18 British East India Company force led by Baron Minto conquers Java, part of the Dutch East Indies, Stamford Raffles appointed lieutenant governor
- More 1811 Events
More People Born in 1811
More 1811 Deaths
Articles About 1811
Rebel With a Cause: The Life of Shameless Shelley
A born rebel, the celebrated poet Percy Bysshe Shelley was expelled on this day from the University of Oxford. He would go on to lead a short and tragic life.March 25War Breaks Out Behind Uncle Tom's Cabin
Uncle Tom's Cabin sounds like a sentimental children's book. In fact, it is a hard-hitting exposé of the slavery trade and part cause of the American Civil War.June 14Venezuela Declares Independence
A painting by Martin Tovar y Tovar depicting Venezuelan deputies signing the declarationJuly 5Otis Rises To The Occasion
Archimedes may have invented the elevator centuries ago, but Elisha Otis, born on this day, worked out how to make it safe – and the skyscraper was born.August 3
Famous Weddings in 1811
- Jan 1 Writer James Fenimore Cooper (21) weds Susan Augusta de Lancey in Mamaroneck, New York
- Jan 8 US Vice President John C. Calhoun (28) weds Floride Bonneau (19)
- Aug 28 English Romantic poet Percy Bysshe Shelley (19) elopes to Scotland with 1st wife Harriet Westbrook (16)