Louie Louie Day
“Louie Louie Day” is celebrated each year on April 11th to honor one of the most iconic and famously misunderstood songs in rock and roll history: “Louie Louie” by The Kingsmen. Originally written by Richard Berry in 1955 and popularized by The Kingsmen’s 1963 garage rock version. The Kingsmen’s version became infamous due to its mumbled lyrics, prompting an FBI investigation over concerns the lyrics were obscene. The investigation concluded the lyrics were unintelligible.
Submarine Day
Submarine Day is typically observed on April 11th in the United States, marking the anniversary of the U.S. Navy acquiring its first modern commissioned submarine, the USS Holland (SS-1), on April 11, 1900. To honor the history, technology, and personnel associated with submarines, especially their role in the Navy. Designed by Irish-American inventor John Philip Holland, it was the first submarine officially commissioned by the U.S. Navy. Recognizes both military service members in the submarine force and the innovations in underwater naval engineering.
National Eight-Track Tape Day
National Eight-Track Tape Day, celebrated on April 11th, honors the once-revolutionary music format that brought portable, high-fidelity sound to millions of listeners in the 1960s and 70s. Introduced in 1965 and widely adopted in car audio systems, eight-track tapes were a major innovation in music consumption, allowing fans to bring their favorite albums on the road. Though eventually overtaken by compact cassettes and CDs, the eight-track remains a nostalgic symbol of a vibrant musical era. On this day, collectors and enthusiasts celebrate by dusting off their old players, revisiting classic tracks, and reflecting on the quirky charm of a format that helped shape modern music culture.
April 11th has seen many significant events throughout history across various fields, including politics, science, and culture.
Historical Events
491 AD – Flavius Anastasius becomes Byzantine Emperor, beginning a reign marked by financial reform and religious controversy.
1689 – William III and Mary II are crowned as joint sovereigns of England, Scotland, and Ireland.
1814 – Napoleon Bonaparte abdicates as Emperor of the French and is exiled to the island of Elba.
1865 – President Abraham Lincoln delivers his last public address, during which he expresses support for limited Black suffrage—a position that angers John Wilkes Booth.
1900 – The U.S. Navy acquires its first modern submarine, the USS Holland (SS-1), marking the origin of Submarine Day.
1961 – Bob Dylan makes his professional debut in New York City, opening for bluesman John Lee Hooker.
1970 – Apollo 13 is launched; the mission would later experience a critical failure but return safely, inspiring the phrase “Houston, we have a problem.”
1979 – Idi Amin, the brutal dictator of Uganda, is overthrown.
1983 – Harold Washington is elected the first Black mayor of Chicago.
1996 – The Palestinian Authority holds its first session of parliament in Gaza.
Famous Birthdays
James Parkinson (1755–1824) – English surgeon and scientist who first described Parkinson’s disease.
George C. Marshall (1880–1959) – U.S. general and Secretary of State; architect of the Marshall Plan.
Leo Rosten (1908–1997) – American humorist and author of The Joys of Yiddish.
Joel Grey (born 1932) – Tony and Oscar-winning American actor, best known for Cabaret.
Louise Lasser (born 1939) – American actress, star of Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman.
Ellen Goodman (born 1941) – Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and social commentator.
Meshach Taylor (1947–2014) – American actor, known for Designing Women.
Alessandra Ambrosio (born 1981) – Brazilian supermodel and former Victoria’s Secret Angel.
Mark Teixeira (born 1980) – Former Major League Baseball first baseman, notably for the Yankees.
Joss Stone (born 1987) – English soul singer and songwriter, known for her early 2000s breakout success.
Notable Deaths
1612 – Edward Wightman – The last person in England to be burned at the stake for heresy.
1689 – Innocent XI – Pope of the Catholic Church from 1676 to 1689, known for reforming Church finances and opposing absolutism.
1890 – Joseph Merrick (The “Elephant Man”) – English man with severe deformities whose life drew public and medical interest.
1954 – Kathleen Ferrier – Renowned English contralto singer, celebrated for her rich voice and tragic early death from cancer.
1955 – Sir Alexander Fleming – Scottish bacteriologist and Nobel laureate who discovered penicillin.
1977 – Jacques Prévert – French poet and screenwriter, best known for Paroles and his work in French cinema.
1987 – Erskine Caldwell – American author of Tobacco Road and God’s Little Acre.
2006 – June Pointer – Member of the Grammy-winning pop/R&B group The Pointer Sisters.
2007 – Kurt Vonnegut – American novelist known for Slaughterhouse-Five, Cat’s Cradle, and his dark satirical voice.
2021 – DMX (Earl Simmons) – Influential American rapper and actor, known for his raw lyrical style and hits like Ruff Ryders’ Anthem.
