This Day That Year

August 11

in History

The Maya Calendar Begins — Time itself is given a starting point
MesoamericaAncient
3114

The Maya Calendar Begins

Time itself is given a starting point

According to tradition, the Mesoamerican Long Count calendar, the sophisticated timekeeping system used by the Maya and other pre-Columbian civilizations, marked its beginning on this date. The calendar, which measured time in cycles spanning thousands of years, reflected a cosmic understanding of existence. Its 2012 cycle-end famously sparked global apocalypse speculation.

3114 BC
Charley Paddock Was Born — The fastest human of his era
Gainesville, Texas, USAEarly 20th Century
1900

Charley Paddock Was Born

The fastest human of his era

In Gainesville, Texas, Charles William Paddock was born with speed that would astonish the world. He became a two-time Olympic champion and was widely regarded as the fastest human alive in the early 1920s. Known for his dramatic leap at the finish line, Paddock's fame extended beyond the track, and he is believed to have inspired films about speed.

1900 AD
Latvian–Soviet Peace Treaty — The Latvian–Soviet Peace Treaty, which relinquished Russia's authority and pretenses to Latvia, is signed, ending the Latvian War of Independence.
Early 20th Century
1920

Latvian–Soviet Peace Treaty

The Latvian–Soviet Peace Treaty, which relinquished Russia's authority and pretenses to Latvia, is signed, ending the Latvian War of Independence.

The Latvian–Soviet Peace Treaty, which relinquished Russia's authority and pretenses to Latvia, is signed, ending the Latvian War of Independence.

1920 AD