On This Day in History for August 18

Events 1 - 100 of 136

• 293 BC The oldest known Roman temple to Venus is founded, starting the institution of Vinalia Rustica (grape harvest festival)
• 1201 The city of Riga is founded.
• 1289 Pope Nicolas IV publishes degree "Supra montem"

• 1541 A Portuguese ship drifts ashore in the ancient Japanese province of Higo (modern day Kumamoto Prefecture). (Traditional Japanese date: July 27, 1541)

• 1587 Saul Wahl is elected King of Poland, according to legend.
• 1605 Spanish army under of general Spinola conquers Lingen
• 1612 Pendle Witch trial begins with 10 people acussed of witchcraft in Lancaster, England, key witness 9 year-old boy
• 1634 Urbain Grandier, accused and convicted of sorcery, is burned alive in Loudun, France.
• 1636 The Covenant of the Town of Dedham, Massachusetts is first signed.
• 1674 Jean Racine's "Iphigénie" premieres in Versailles
• 1686 Giovanni Cassini reports seeing a satellite orbiting Venus

• 1700 Swedish, English & Dutch army lands on Seeland, Denmark
• 1735 Evening Post begins publishing (Boston, Mass)
• 1737 First public admittance to the Salon de Paris art exhibition at the Louvre in Paris
• 1759 -19] 2nd sea battle of Lagos: England vs France
• 1769 A lightning strike on the Bastion of San Nazaro in Brescia, Italy, ignites 90 tonnes of gunpowder, killing 3,000 people
• 1795 Curacao governor De Veer sends militia to stop rebellious slaves
• 1817 60-70ft sea serpent sightings reported offshore in Gloucester, Massachusetts
• 1835 Last Pottawatomie Indians leave Chicago

• 1840 American Society of Dental Surgeons founded (NY)
• 1840 French colony established in Akaroa, South Island of New Zealand
• 1846 General Stephen W Kearney's US forces capture Santa Fe, New Mexico
• 1848 Camila O'Gorman and Ladislao Gutierrez are executed on the orders of Argentine dictator Juan Manuel de Rosas
• 1858 Netherlands & Japan sign trade agreement

• 1862 Sioux Indians begin uprising in Minnesota (it is later crushed)
• 1864 6th day of battle at Deep Bottom Run, Virginia: Confederate assault
• 1864 Battle of Petersburg: Battle of Weldon Railroad day 1 of a 3 day battle
• 1868 French Astronomer Pierre Janssen discovers helium in solar spectrum during eclipse
• 1870 Battle at Gravelotte Privat: Prussia beat France, 32,000 casualties
• 1872 1st mail-order catalog issued by A M Ward
• 1873 1st ascent of Mount Whitney, California (14,494')
• 1891 Hurricane hits Martinique, about 700 die
• 1894 US Congress creates Bureau of Immigration
• 1896 Adolph Ochs (39) buys NY Times
• 1904 Chris Watson resigns as Prime Minister of Australia and is succeeded by George Reid

• 1914 -20] Belgian army withdraws to Antwerp
• 1914 French troops under general Dubail occupy Sarrebourg

• 1917 Dutch Naval Air Force forms (MLD)
• 1917 A Great Fire in Thessaloniki, Greece destroys 32% of the city leaving 70,000 individuals homeless.
• 1919 Anti-Cigarette League of America forms in Chicago, Illinois
• 1920 22 year old representative Harry T. Burn is deciding vote in Tennessee's and thus America's ratification of the 19th Amendment to the constitution allowing women's suffrage after letter from his mother
• 1924 France begins withdrawing troops from the Ruhr
• 1925 Belgium & US sign treaty about war debts
• 1925 Cardinal Mercier warns Belgians against socialism/liberalism


• 1926 Weather map televised for 1st time
• 1930 Eastern Airlines begins passenger service
• 1932 Auguste Piccard and Max Cosyns reach 16,201m in a balloon launched from Dübendorf, Switzerland
• 1932 Englishman James Mollisson is 1st to fly east to west over Atlantic
• 1936 106.5°F - Hottest afternoon ever in Iowa
• 1937 1st FM radio construction permit issued (W1X0J (WGTR) in Boston MA)

• 1940 Battle of Britain - 'The hardest day" Luftwaffe lose 69 aircraft, the RAF 68 in largest ever air battle
• 1941 German concentration camp Amersfoort opens
• 1942 Carlson's Raiders land on Makin, Gilbert islands, kill 350 Japanese
• 1943 Carl Hubbell wins his 253rd & final game, all with Giants
• 1943 Final convoy of Jews from Salonika, Greece, arrives at Auschwitz
• 1943 Otto Skorzeny's Heinkel-111 shot down at Sardinia

• 1944 Paris rail workers strike against Nazi occupiers
• 1944 US 15th Army Corps reaches Mantes-Gassicourt near Paris

• 1947 Naval torpedo & mine factory explodes at Cadiz, Spain killing 300
• 1949 Hungary adopts constitution
• 1950 Julien Lahaut, the chairman of the Communist Party of Belgium is assassinated by far-right elements.
• 1954 James E. Wilkins is 1st black to attend a US cabinet meeting
• 1955 -19] Hurricane Diane, kills 400 in US
• 1955 46.1 cm rainfall at Westfield, Massachusetts (state record)
• 1955 Sjukri al-Quwatli re-elected president of Syria
• 1957 Juan-Manuel Fangio, wins his last auto World Championship at 46
• 1957 US performs nuclear test at Nevada Test Site
• 1958 "Lolita" by Vladimir Nabokov published
• 1958 Betsy Palmer joins Today Show panel

• 1958 United Kingdom issues regional stamps (N Ireland, Scotland & Wales)
• 1958 Perez Prado "Mambo King" receives one of the 1st gold records
• 1958 TV game show scandal investigation starts
• 1958 US performs atmospheric nuclear test at Enwetak
• 1958 Verne Gagne beats Edouard Carpentier in Omaha, to become NWA champ
• 1959 Branch Rickey resigns as Pirates' CEO to be President of Continental League
• 1960 1st photograph bounced off a satellite, Cedar Rapids, Iowa and Richardson, Texas
• 1962 Peter, Paul & Mary release their first hit "If I Had a Hammer"
• 1963 James Meredith becomes the 1st black graduate from University of Mississippi
• 1964 Charles Helu elected president of Lebanon
• 1964 USSR launch 3 Kosmos satellites

• 1976 USSR's Luna 24 soft-lands on Moon

• 1977 2 girls are killed by a runaway car outside of Graceland
• 1977 South African anti-apartheid activist Steve Biko is arrested at a roadblock (dies of police beating 12 September)
• 1978 Memphis Tenn settles with striking police officers & firefighters

• 1979 USSR performs nuclear test at Eastern Kazakh/Semipalitinsk USSR

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• 472 Flavius Ricimer, general of the Western Roman Empire, kingmaker
• 1450 Marko Marulic/Marulus/Splichanin/Pechinich, Croatian poet, born in Split, Croatia (d. 1524)
• 1579 Charlotte Flandrina van Nassau, daughter of Willem I of Orange
• 1587 1st English child born in New World (Virginia Dare)
• 1596 Jean Bolland, Flemish Jesuit writer and historian (Acta Sanctorum), born in Tirlemont, Netherlands (d. 1665)
• 1605 Henry Hammond, English churchman, born in Chertsey, Surrey, England (d. 1660)
• 1606 Maria Anna of Spain, Holy Roman Empire Empress and Queen of Hungary, born in El Escorial, San Lorenzo de El Escorial, Spain (d. 1646)
• 1611 Ludwika Maria Gonzaga, French princess and queen of Poland, born in Nevers, France (d. 1667)
• 1657 Ferdinando Galli Bibiena, Italian architect and designer, born in Bologna, Italy (d. 1743)
• 1685 Brook Taylor, English mathematician, discoverer of Taylor's Theorem, born in Edmonton, Middlesex, England (d. 1731)
• 1692 Louis Henri, Duc de Bourbon, Prime Minister of France, born in Palace of Versailles, France (d. 1740)
• 1720 Laurence Shirley, 4th Earl Ferrers, English murderer (d. 1760)
• 1754 François, marquis de Chasseloup-Laubat, French general (d. 1833)

• 1803 Nathan Clifford, American statesman, diplomat, and Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court (d. 1881)
• 1805 Josef Danhauser, Austrian painter (Mutterliebe), born in Vienna, Austria (d. 1845)
• 1807 Charles Francis Adams, (Union), (d. 1886)
• 1813 Benjamin Alvord, American scientist and Brigadier General (Union Army), born in Vancouver, Washington (d. 1884)
• 1818 William Farquhar Barry, American Brevet Major General (Union Army), born in NYC, New York (d. 1879)
• 1819 Grand Duchess Maria Nikolaevna, Duchess of Leuchtenberg, born in Peterhof Palace, Russia (d. 1876)
• 1823 Willem J F Nuyens, Dutch physician/RC historian
• 1830 Emperor Franz Josef I of Austria, born in Vienna, Austria (d. 1916)
• 1834 Marshall Field, American entrepreneur and the founder of Marshall Field and Company, born in Conway, Massachusetts (d. 1906)
• 1855 Alfred Wallis, English artist and mariner, born in Devonport, Devon, England (d. 1942)
• 1857 Libert H. Boeynaems, Belgian Catholic prelate and the fourth vicar apostolic of the Vicariate Apostolic of the Hawaiian Islands, born in Antwerp, Belgium (d. 1926)
• 1871 Johan J Arch, graphic artist (wood cutter)
• 1875 Johan E. Elias, Dutch historian (Amsterdam's regency), born in Amsterdam (d. 1960)
• 1879 Aleksandr Rodzyanko, Russian lieutenant-general and corps commander of the White Army during the Russian Civil War, born in Russia (d. 1970)
• 1882 Eugeen Calleen, Flemish sculptor
• 1885 Nettie Palmer, Australian poet and essayist (Henry Handel Richardson: A Study), born in Bendigo, Victoria, Australia (d. 1964)
• 1887 Nico J. Polak, Dutch economist, born in Rotterdam, Netherlands (d. 1948)
• 1890 Walther Funk, German economist and Nazi politician, born in Danzkehmen, Kingdom of Prussia, German Empire (d. 1960)
• 1900 Glenn Albert Black, American archaeologist, born in Indianapolis, Indiana (d. 1964)

• 1902 Adamson-Eric, Estonian painter, born in Tartu, Estonia (d. 1968)
• 1904 Sterling W Cole, (Rep-R-NY)
• 1904 [Francis] Max Factor, American CEO of Max Factor Cosmetics, born in St. Louis, Missouri
• 1908 Armijn Pane, Indonesian writer (Belenggu), born in North Sumatra, Indonesia (d. 1970)
• 1908 Edgar Faure, thriller writer/PM of France (1952, 52-56)
• 1910 Charles Wegg-Prosser, solicitor
• 1912 Elsa Morante, Italian writer, born in Rome (d. 1985)
• 1917 Casper Weinberger, US Secretary of Defense (1981-87)
• 1919 Walter J Hickel, (Gov-R-Alaska)/US Secretary of Interior (1969-71)
• 1921 Zdzisław Żygulski, Jr., Polish art historian
• 1922 Alain Robbe-Grillet, French novelist (Voyeur)
• 1922 Eric William Hunter Christie, barrister
• 1924 Mohammad Zia Ul-Haq, President of Pakistan (1977-88)[or Aug 12]
• 1925 Brian W[ilson] Aldiss, UK, sci-fi author (Helliconia Trilogy)
• 1925 Pierre Grondin, French Canadian cardiac surgeon (d. 2006)
• 1925 Brian Aldiss, British sci-fi author (Super-Toys Last All Summer Long, Helliconia trilogy), born in East Dereham, Norfolk (d. 2017)
• 1927 Rosalynn Smith Carter, American 1st lady (1977-1981), born in Plains, Georgia
• 1930 Liviu Librescu, Israeli professor, killed in the Virginia Tech massacre
• 1931 Henricus AFMO "Hans" van Mierlo, Dutch minister of Defense (D66)
• 1931 Bramwell Tillsley, Canadian Salvation Army general
• 1932 William R. Bennett, Premier of British Columbia
• 1934 Vincent Bugliosi, American attorney and author (Helter-Skelter), born in Hibbing, Minnesota (d. 2015)
• 1935 Howard Morrison, New Zealand entertainer, born in Rotorua, New Zealand (d. 2009)
• 1938 Joe Frank [Joseph Langermann], American radio personality (KCRW), born in Strasbourg, France (d. 2018)
• 1939 Robert Horton, British businessman and CEO (BP), born in London, England (d. 2011)
• 1952 Elayne Boosler, comedienne (Broadway Baby, Party of One), born in Brooklyn, New York
• 1952 Nicholas John, dramaturge
• 1953 Louie Gohmert, American politician
• 1954 Umberto Guidoni, PhD/astronaut (STS 75), born in Rome, Italy
• 1955 Taher ElGamal, Egyptian scientist
• 1961 Bob Woodruff, American journalist, anchor
• 1962 Felipe Calderón, President of Mexico
• 1966 Gustavo Charif, Argentine artist
• 1967 Julie Kristen Smith, Nuhremburg Germany, choreographer (Showgirls)
• 1967 Brian Michael Bendis, American comic book writer
• 1976 Bryan Volpenhein, American rower, born in Cincinnati, Ohio
• 1980 Athina Papayianni, Greek race walker, born in Preveza, Greece
• 1992 Frances Bean Cobain, American artist and daughter of Kurt Cobain & Courtney Love, born in Los Angeles, California

• 353 Decentius, Roman usurper against Western Emperor Constantius II
• 849 Walafrid Strabo, German monk and theologian

• 1236 Theodorus Van Celles, monastery founder (Kruisheren), dies
• 1258 Theodore II Lascaris, Emperor of the Empire of Nicaea
• 1276 Adrian V, [Ottobono Fieschi], Italian Pope (7/11-8/18/1276), dies
• 1318 Clare of Montefalco, Italian Abbess and religious leader (born c. 1268)
• 1430 Thomas de Ros, 9th Baron de Ros, English soldier and politician (drowned) (b. 1406)
• 1503 Alexander VI, [Rodrigo de Borja], Spanish Pope (1492-1503), dies
• 1559 Paul IV, [Giampietro Caraffa], Pope (1555-59), dies at 83
• 1563 Étienne de La Boétie, French judge and writer (b. 1530)
• 1620 Wanli, Emperor of China (b. 1563)
• 1634 Urbain Grandier, French priest (b. 1590)
• 1642 Guido Reni, Italian painter (b. 1575)
• 1645 Eudoxia Streshneva, Tsarina of Mikhail I of Russia (b. 1608)
• 1652 Benjamin G Cuyp, historical painter, dies at about 40
• 1707 William Cavendish, 1st Duke of Devonshire, English soldier and statesman (b. 1640)
• 1712 Richard Savage, 4th Earl Rivers, English soldier
• 1765 Francis I, Holy Roman Emperor (1745-65) dies at 56
• 1803 James Beattie, Scottish poet and philosopher (Essay on Truth), dies at 67
• 1809 Matthew Boulton, English manufacturer and engineer (b. 1728)
• 1815 Chauncey Goodrich, American politician (b. 1759)
• 1840 Antony CW Staring, Dutch patriot/poet (Jaromir), dies at 73
• 1842 Louis de Freycinet, French explorer (b. 1779)
• 1850 Honoré de Balzac, French novelist (La Comédie Humaine), dies at 51
• 1863 Thomas Welsh, US Union brigadier general (Antietam), dies at 39
• 1870 Felix Salm-Salm, Prussian/US prince/brigadier general, dies in battle
• 1887 Orson Squire Fowler, American phrenologist and lecturer, dies at 77
• 1907 John Kerr, physicist (magneto-optic Kerr-effect), dies at 82
• 1916 Edward D Pain, English journalist (NY World), dies in battle at 36
• 1919 Joseph E. Seagram, Canadian distillery founder (b. 1841)
• 1934 Delilah L Beasley, US author/columnist (Oakland Tribune), dies at 61

• 1943 Hans Jeschonnek, German air force general/chief-staff, commits suicide
• 1943 Ali-Agha Shikhlinski, Russian-Azerbaijani general, dies at 78
• 1944 Ernst "Teddy" Thalmann, leader of German KPD, dies
• 1945 Subhas Chandra Bose, Indian revolutionary and nationalist, dies of injuries from a plane crash at 48
• 1950 Julien Lahaut, chairman Belgian Communist Party, murdered
• 1952 Alberto Hurtado Cruchaga, Chilean Jesuit saint (b. 1901)
• 1961 Learned Hand, Chief judge of US court of Appeals, dies at 89
• 1961 Leonhard Frank, writer, dies at 78
• 1966 Isaac Keesing, Dutch founder (System Keesing), dies at 80
• 1966 Watze Cuperus, Frisian author (Struggle & Blessing), dies at 75
• 1969 Otto Stern, German/US physicist (Nobel 1943), dies at 81
• 1981 Anita Loos, US (stage)author (Gentlemen Prefer Blondes), dies at 88
• 1983 Nikolaus Pevsner, German-born art historian (b. 1902)
• 1988 Alexandr V Shchukin, Russian cosmonaut, dies in SU-26 crash at 42

• 1989 Bert Oosterbosch, cyclist, dies
• 1989 Luis Carlos Galan, Colombian presidential candidate, murdered
• 1990 B F Skinner, American psychologist (Skinner Box), dies of Leukemia at 86
• 1991 Vaughn Shoemaker, US cartoonist (John Q Public, Pulitzer), dies
• 1992 Gerard Sonder, Dutch radio host (AVRO), dies
• 1992 John Stuges, director (Gunfight at OK Corral), dies of emphysema at 82
• 1992 Christopher McCandless, subject of the book Into the Wild (b. 1968)
• 1993 Alf Bold, German festival programmer, dies of AIDS at 47
• 1994 John Beavan, newspaper Editor, dies at 84
• 1994 Judy Ann Scott-Fox, agent, dies at 56
• 1994 Richard Lawrence Millington Synge, chromatographer, dies at 79
• 1995 Sylvester Louis Adams, murderer, dies at 39
• 1996 Geoffrey Dearmer, poet, dies at 103
• 1996 Hugo Gabriel Gryn, rabbi, dies at 66
• 2001 David Peakall, British scientist (b. 1931)
• 2004 Hiram Fong, former U.S. Senator from Hawaii (b. 1906)
• 2006 Jamie Astaphan, Caribbean-born physician (b. 1946)
• 2007 Michael Deaver, Reagan Administration Deputy White House Chief of Staff, dies at 69
• 2009 Kim Dae-jung,15th President of South Korea (b. 1925)
• 2009 Robert Novak, American journalist and commentator (b. 1931)
• 2010 Scott Davis, American Announcer of Track and Field (b.1943)
• 2010 Benjamin Kaplan, American copyright scholar, dies at 99
• 2015 Louis Stokes, American politician (Rep-D-OH, 1969-99 ), dies at 90
• 2017 Brian Aldiss, British sci-fi author (Super-Toys Last All Summer Long, Helliconia trilogy), dies at 92

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