On June 11, 1776, Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, Roger Sherman and Robert Livingston were appointed by Congress to draft a Declaration of Independence

Image via Shutterstock

On June 11, 1783, Congress read and discussed Washington’s circular letter, addressed to the governors of all the States, on disbanding the army. He said there are four things essential to the existence of the United States as an independent power: “An indissoluble union of the States under one federal head, — a sacred regard to public justice, — The adoption of a proper peace establishment — The prevalence of that pacific and friendly disposition among the people of the United States, which will induce them to forget their local prejudices and politics; to make those mutual concessions, which are requisite to the general prosperity; and in some instances, to sacrifice their individual advantages to the interest of the community.”

From Washington Day by Day published in 1895

Image via Shutterstock

Sentry at Fort Hamilton in Brooklyn, N.Y.
c. 1872-1887

On today’s date June 11, 1825, Simon Bernard of France laid the cornerstone of Fort Hamilton in Brooklyn, New York.
Captain Robert E. Lee became the fort’s post engineer in 1842 and Stonewall Jackson was assigned at the fort after the Mexican-American War.

Image from the Brooklyn Museum via Wikimedia Commons, no known restrictions

Joseph Warren, American General and physician during the Revolutionary War, was born on June 11, 1741 in Roxbury, Massachusetts

He was killed at the Battle of Bunker Hill at the age of 34.

Image via NYPL Digital Collections, no known restrictions

A photo of Kermit Roosevelt (son of former President Theodore Roosevelt) with his wife Belle Wyatt Willard (daughter of U.S. Ambassador to Spain) in Madrid.

They were married in Madrid, Spain and the religious ceremony took place on June 11, 1914.

Image via Wikimedia Commons, no known restrictions

On June 11, 1919, Sir Barton became the first race horse to capture the “Triple Crown” before the term was commonly used.

Image: Sir Barton and jockey Johnny Loftus in May 1919 via Wikimedia Commons, public domain

Geronimo in a Locomobile Model C at the Miller Brothers 101 Ranch, located near Ponca City, Oklahoma

June 11, 1905

Image via Wikimedia Commons, public domain

Charles A. Lindbergh speaking on a flag-draped podium, with Calvin Coolidge

On June 11, 1927, Charles Lindbergh received the Distinguished Flying Cross from President Calvin Coolidge for his nonstop solo transatlantic flight.

Image via LOC, no known restrictions

Anna Mae Violet Hays (left) and
Elizabeth Hoisington (right) were the first female US Army officers to achieve the rank of brigadier general were promoted on
June 11, 1970.

Image:
Both generals (shown with former First Lady Mamie Eisenhower) had served for 28 years, joining the Army in 1942 via Wikimedia Commons, public domain in the US

On June 11, 1944, the USS Missouri was commissioned.

In the following year, the Japanese signed the instruments of surrender aboard this American battleship.

Image: USS Missouri in 1945 via Wikimedia Commons, public domain

View of the Acoma pinnacles, June 11, 1906

Two women can be seen at the base giving a perspective on the enormity of the formations.

From California Historical Society via Wikimedia Commons, public domain

“Liberty. In the form of the goddess of youth, giving support to the bald eagle by E. Savage.”

– published on June 11, 1796

via Library of Congress, no known restrictions

American actor and comedian Gene Wilder was born on June 11, 1933 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

In the late 1950s, during his service in the U.S. Army, Gene served as a paramedic for a hospital in Pennsylvania.

Image of Gene Wilder for the 1974 film Young Frankenstein via Alamy

Born June 11, 1880 Jeanette Rankin of Montana served two terms in the US House of Representatives, – 1917 to 1919 and 1941 to 1943. In her first term she was one of 50 House members to vote against the entry of the US in WW1. On December 8, 1941, she was the only House or Senate member to vote against the declaration of war on Japan.

Image from LOC via Wikimedia Commons, no known copyright.

Great disaster near Bellefonte, Pa., June 11, 1878

via Wikimedia Commons, public domain

On June 11, 2004, Napoleon Dynamite was released in the United States.

Most of the movie was filmed in Preston, Idaho.

Image: Napoleon Dynamite house outside Preston, Idaho by Chris Light via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY SA 4.0

On June 11, 1949, Hank Williams made his debut at the Grand Ole Opry. The 25-year-old received a standing ovation for his performance of Lovesick Blues.

Image c. 1948 via Wikimedia Commons, public domain