January 8 – An attempted assassination of Maldivian president Maumoon Abdul Gayoom is thwarted after a Boy Scout grabs the attacker's knife. The Boy Scout is injured, but after a scuffle police arrest the attacker.
March 19 – An exploding star halfway across the visible universe becomes the farthest known object ever visible to the naked eye.
2011 Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.