On This Day - January 11, 2026

Brooklyn, New York, begins delivering milk in glass bottles.

Doctors give insulin for the first time to treat a diabetes patient. Fourteen-year-old Leonard Thompson receives the life-saving injection developed by Dr. Frederick Banting and Dr. Charles Best. He had an initial allergic reaction likely caused by an impurity in the insulin. After delaying further injections, 12 days later a more pure form of insulin was given by Dr. James Collip, ultimately saving his life.

Amelia Earhart flies solo from Hawaii to California becomes the first person to complete the transpacific flight.

For the first time, smoking is publicly and officially recognized as a health hazard by U.S. Surgeon General Luther Terry. In a statement, he announced the results of a study ordered by President John F. Kennedy in 1962. January 11th Celebrated (and Not So Celebrated) Birthdays