On this day

11 May in history.

5 moments from 868 to 1981: discovery, creativity and courage, each with a source to read more.

5 moments

Diamond Sutra

868

The oldest dated printed book. In China, someone printed the Diamond Sutra from carved wooden blocks. It is the world's oldest printed book that carries a date.

Wikipedia: Diamond Sutra

Photo: The colophon, at the inner end, reads: Reverently [caused to be] made for universal fre… / Wikimedia Commons (Public domain)

More from 11 May

  1. The Three Sisters, Katoomba, New South Wales, Australia

    1813

    Crossing the Blue Mountains

    Gregory Blaxland, William Lawson and William Wentworth set out from Sydney and found a way across the Blue Mountains to the plains beyond.

    Wikipedia: 1813 crossing of the Blue Mountains

    Photo: JJ Harrison ( https://www.jjharrison.com.au/ ) / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0)

  2. HMS Beagle in the Straits of Magellan

    1820

    HMS Beagle is launched

    The ship that would later carry the young Charles Darwin around the world was launched in London.

    Wikipedia: HMS Beagle

    Photo: R. T. Pritchett / Wikimedia Commons (Public domain)

  3. Mountain goat at Hidden Lake, near Logan Pass, in Glacier National Park

    1910

    Glacier National Park

    The mountains, lakes and glaciers of northern Montana were protected as Glacier National Park.

    Wikipedia: Glacier National Park (U.S.)

    Photo: Robert M. Russell / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)

  4. Andrew Lloyd Webber at the Broadway Opening Night of "Cats: The Jellicle Ball" - April 7, 2026

    1981

    Cats opens in London

    Andrew Lloyd Webber's musical based on T. S. Eliot's cat poems opened and went on to run for 21 years.

    Wikipedia: Cats (musical)Wikipedia: Andrew Lloyd Webber

    Photo: PhilipRomanoPhoto / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Moments chosen for discovery, creativity and courage. Each one links to a source where you can read more; photos are credited to their owners.