Reds’ Johnny Vander Meer pitched first of consecutive no-hitters

Today is June 11. On this date in:

1770

Captain James Cook, commander of the British ship Endeavour, “discovered” the Great Barrier Reef off Australia by running onto it.

1776

The Continental Congress formed a committee to draft a Declaration of Independence calling for freedom from Britain.

1919

Sir Barton won the Belmont Stakes, becoming horse racing’s first Triple Crown winner.

1938

Johnny Vander Meer pitched the first of two consecutive no-hitters as he led the Cincinnati Reds to a 3-0 victory over the Boston Bees.

1942

The United States and the Soviet Union signed a lend-lease agreement to aid the Soviet war effort in World War II.

1955

In motor racing’s worst disaster, more than 80 people were killed during the 24 Hours of Le Mans in France when two of the cars collided and crashed into spectators.

1962

Three prisoners at Alcatraz in San Francisco Bay staged an escape, leaving the island on a makeshift raft; they were never found or heard from again.

1970

The United States presence in Libya came to an end as the last detachment left Wheelus Air Base. (The anniversary of this event is celebrated as a holiday in Libya.)

1978

Joseph Freeman Jr. became the first black priest ordained in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

1979

Legendary western actor John Wayne died in Los Angeles at age 72.

1982

The blockbuster science-fiction film “E.T.: the Extra-Terrestrial,” directed by Steven Spielberg, was released.

1985

Karen Ann Quinlan, the comatose patient whose case prompted a historic right-to-die court decision, died in New Jersey, at age 31.

1986

The John Hughes comedy “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off,” starring Matthew Broderick, was released by Paramount Pictures.

1987

Margaret Thatcher became the first British prime minister in 160 years to win a third consecutive term of office as her Conservatives held onto a reduced majority in Parliament.