11 November: Elevens

On the eleventh day of the eleventh month, here are 10 interesting facts about the number 11:

1. In English, eleven is the smallest positive integer with three syllables, and is the first number which cannot be represented by a human counting on their fingers and thumbs.
2. 11 is the atomic number of the element sodium.
3. Apollo 11 was the first manned spacecraft to land on the Moon.
4. After Judas Iscariot was disgraced, eleven apostles remained. Even though Judas was replaced by Matthias, the apostles were still frequently referred to as "the eleven."
5. Many people claim to be spooked out by repeatedly seeing 11:11 on digital clocks, and believe there is a spiritual significance to it; that it is a cosmic wake up call, that their DNA is being activated, or they are about to meet their twin flame.
6. It is common for young people, when noticing this combination of numbers, to stop what they are doing and make a wish.
7. Eleven is the number of people on a team in several sports: Soccer, cricket, field hockey and American football. In cricket, the 11th batsman is usually the weakest one (usually someone who is on the team because he or she is good at bowling).
8. The maple leaf on the Canadian Flag has 11 points.
9. If a number is divisible by 11, reversing its digits will result in another multiple of 11.
10. In London, the number 11 bus is said to be the cheapest way to sightsee, as it passes King's Road, Sloane Square, Trafalgar Square, St Paul's Cathedral, Westminster Cathedral, Westminster Abbey, Churchill War Rooms, The Cenotaph, Downing Street, Horse Guards Parade, Mansion House, the Bank of England, Admiralty Arch, Big Ben, Palace of Westminster and New Scotland Yard.