January 11: historical facts and curiosities

On January 11, 1922, 14-year-old Leonard Thompson received the first experimental insulin injection for diabetes at Toronto General Hospital. While the initial dose had side effects due to impurities, a refined extract was quickly administered, proving effective. This pioneering treatment, developed by Banting, Best, Macleod, and Collip, marked a revolutionary breakthrough. It transformed type 1 diabetes from a fatal illness into a manageable condition, saving countless lives and forever changing medical history.

On January 11, 1935, Amelia Earhart achieved a new milestone, completing the first solo flight from Hawaii to California. Departing from Honolulu, she successfully landed in Oakland, California, about 18 hours later. This courageous 2,408-mile journey made her the first person to fly solo across the Pacific Ocean, adding to her already impressive list of aviation firsts and inspiring countless individuals worldwide.