February 11 is the 42nd day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. In common years there are 323 days remaining in the year; in leap years the count is 324. The date falls in winter across the Northern Hemisphere and in summer in the Southern Hemisphere, and it lies within the astrological sign of Aquarius.

Typical characteristics

As a calendar date, February 11 has no intrinsic properties beyond its position in the annual cycle, but like other dates it acquires meaning through cultural, religious and civic uses. It typically carries winter weather in temperate zones and is late summer or early autumn in parts of the Southern Hemisphere. Schools, businesses and governments observe different schedules around this date depending on country and year.

Observances and holidays

  • International Day of Women and Girls in Science — Designated by the United Nations to promote full and equal access to science for women and girls.
  • World Day of the Sick — A Catholic observance instituted to accompany those who are ill and their caregivers; it is often connected with the Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes.
  • National Foundation Day — In Japan this date is observed as a national holiday commemorating the nation's traditional foundation.
  • National Inventors' Day (United States) — Associated with the birthday of inventor Thomas Edison, often used to celebrate innovation and invention.

Notable events

  • On this date in 1990, Nelson Mandela was released from prison after 27 years, an event widely regarded as a turning point in South African history.
  • In 2011, Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak resigned following weeks of large-scale protests, a major moment in the Arab Spring.
  • February 11 is the birth date of several prominent figures, most famously inventor Thomas Alva Edison (born 1847), whose legacy is often invoked on this day.

Over time, February 11 has accrued layers of meaning: religious feast days, international awareness campaigns, national commemorations and the anniversaries of events that have shaped modern history. When consulting calendars or planning events around this date, it is common to find a mixture of solemn observance and public celebration depending on local traditions.

For readers exploring calendar history or planning commemorations, February 11 provides a clear example of how a simple date can host diverse observances and historical memory across cultures and institutions.