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On This Day

April 18

YEAR 2019

A redacted version of the Mueller report is released to the United States Congress and the public.

A redacted version of the Mueller report is released to the United States Congress and the public.

YEAR 2018

King Mswati III of Swaziland announces that his country's name will change to Eswatini.

King Mswati III of Swaziland announces that his country's name will change to Eswatini.

YEAR 2018

Anti-government protests start in Nicaragua.

Anti-government protests start in Nicaragua.

YEAR 1996

The Israeli military commits the Qana massacre in a deliberate shelling of a United Nations compound near the village of Qana in southern Lebanon, kil...

The Israeli military commits the Qana massacre in a deliberate shelling of a United Nations compound near the village of Qana in southern Lebanon, killing 106 Lebanese civilians who were taking shelter there and wounding over 100 more.

YEAR 1988

The United States launches Operation Praying Mantis against Iranian naval forces in the largest naval battle since World War II.

The United States launches Operation Praying Mantis against Iranian naval forces in the largest naval battle since World War II.

YEAR 1988

In Israel John Demjanjuk is sentenced to death for war crimes committed in World War II, although the verdict is later overturned.

In Israel John Demjanjuk is sentenced to death for war crimes committed in World War II, although the verdict is later overturned.

YEAR 1980

The Republic of Zimbabwe (formerly Rhodesia) comes into being, with Canaan Banana as the country's first President. The Zimbabwean dollar replaces the...

The Republic of Zimbabwe (formerly Rhodesia) comes into being, with Canaan Banana as the country's first President. The Zimbabwean dollar replaces the Rhodesian dollar as the official currency.

YEAR 1980

The town of Elmore City, Oklahoma holds its first dance in the town's history.

The town of Elmore City, Oklahoma holds its first dance in the town's history.

YEAR 1972

East African Airways Flight 720 crashes during a rejected takeoff from Addis Ababa Bole International Airport in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, killing 43.

East African Airways Flight 720 crashes during a rejected takeoff from Addis Ababa Bole International Airport in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, killing 43.

YEAR 1955

Twenty-nine nations meet at Bandung, Indonesia, for the first Asian-African Conference.

Twenty-nine nations meet at Bandung, Indonesia, for the first Asian-African Conference.

YEAR 1954

Gamal Abdel Nasser seizes power in Egypt.

Gamal Abdel Nasser seizes power in Egypt.

YEAR 1949

The Republic of Ireland Act comes into force, declaring Éire to be a republic and severing Ireland's "association" with the Commonwealth of Nations.

The Republic of Ireland Act comes into force, declaring Éire to be a republic and severing Ireland's "association" with the Commonwealth of Nations.

YEAR 1947

The Operation Big Bang, the largest non-nuclear man-made explosion to that time, destroys bunkers and military installations on the North Sea island o...

The Operation Big Bang, the largest non-nuclear man-made explosion to that time, destroys bunkers and military installations on the North Sea island of Heligoland, Germany.

YEAR 1946

The International Court of Justice holds its inaugural meeting in The Hague, Netherlands.

The International Court of Justice holds its inaugural meeting in The Hague, Netherlands.

YEAR 1946

Jackie Robinson makes his regular season debut for the Montreal Royals of the International League, to make them the first integrated modern professio...

Jackie Robinson makes his regular season debut for the Montreal Royals of the International League, to make them the first integrated modern professional baseball team.

YEAR 1945

World War II: Over 1,000 bombers attack the small island of Heligoland, Germany.

World War II: Over 1,000 bombers attack the small island of Heligoland, Germany.

YEAR 1945

Italian resistance movement: In Turin, despite the harsh repressive measures adopted by Nazi-fascists, a great pre-insurrectional strike begins.

Italian resistance movement: In Turin, despite the harsh repressive measures adopted by Nazi-fascists, a great pre-insurrectional strike begins.

YEAR 1943

World War II: Operation Vengeance, Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto is killed when his aircraft is shot down by U.S. fighters over Bougainville Island.

World War II: Operation Vengeance, Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto is killed when his aircraft is shot down by U.S. fighters over Bougainville Island.

YEAR 1942

World War II: The Doolittle Raid on Japan: Tokyo, Yokohama, Kobe and Nagoya are bombed.

World War II: The Doolittle Raid on Japan: Tokyo, Yokohama, Kobe and Nagoya are bombed.

YEAR 1942

Pierre Laval becomes Prime Minister of Vichy France.

Pierre Laval becomes Prime Minister of Vichy France.

YEAR 1939

Robert Menzies, who became Australia's longest-serving prime minister, is elected as leader of the United Australia Party after the death of Prime Min...

Robert Menzies, who became Australia's longest-serving prime minister, is elected as leader of the United Australia Party after the death of Prime Minister Joseph Lyons.

YEAR 1938

Superman debuts in Action Comics #1 (cover dated June 1938).

Superman debuts in Action Comics #1 (cover dated June 1938).

YEAR 1930

A fire kills 118 people at a wooden church in the small Romanian town of Costești, most of them schoolchildren, after starting during Good Friday serv...

A fire kills 118 people at a wooden church in the small Romanian town of Costești, most of them schoolchildren, after starting during Good Friday services.

YEAR 1916

World War I: During a mine warfare in high altitude on the Dolomites, the Italian troops conquer the Col di Lana held by the Austrian army.

World War I: During a mine warfare in high altitude on the Dolomites, the Italian troops conquer the Col di Lana held by the Austrian army.

YEAR 1915

World War I: French pilot Roland Garros is shot down and glides to a landing on the German side of the lines.

World War I: French pilot Roland Garros is shot down and glides to a landing on the German side of the lines.

YEAR 1912

The Cunard liner RMS Carpathia brings 705 survivors from the RMS Titanic to New York City.

The Cunard liner RMS Carpathia brings 705 survivors from the RMS Titanic to New York City.

YEAR 1909

Joan of Arc is beatified in Rome.

Joan of Arc is beatified in Rome.

YEAR 1906

The 7.9 Mw earthquake and fire destroy much of San Francisco, California, killing more than 3,000 people, making one of the worst natural disasters in...

The 7.9 Mw earthquake and fire destroy much of San Francisco, California, killing more than 3,000 people, making one of the worst natural disasters in American history.

YEAR 1902

The 7.5 Mw  Guatemala earthquake shakes Guatemala with a maximum Mercalli intensity of VIII (Severe), killing between 800 and 2,000.

The 7.5 Mw  Guatemala earthquake shakes Guatemala with a maximum Mercalli intensity of VIII (Severe), killing between 800 and 2,000.

YEAR 1899

The St. Andrew's Ambulance Association is granted a royal charter by Queen Victoria.

The St. Andrew's Ambulance Association is granted a royal charter by Queen Victoria.

YEAR 1897

The Greco-Turkish War is declared between Greece and the Ottoman Empire.

The Greco-Turkish War is declared between Greece and the Ottoman Empire.

YEAR 1864

Battle of Dybbøl: A Prussian-Austrian army defeats Denmark and gains control of Schleswig. Denmark surrenders the province in the following peace sett...

Battle of Dybbøl: A Prussian-Austrian army defeats Denmark and gains control of Schleswig. Denmark surrenders the province in the following peace settlement.

YEAR 1857

"The Spirits Book" by Allan Kardec is published, marking the birth of Spiritualism in France.

"The Spirits Book" by Allan Kardec is published, marking the birth of Spiritualism in France.

YEAR 1847

American victory at the battle of Cerro Gordo opens the way for invasion of Mexico.

American victory at the battle of Cerro Gordo opens the way for invasion of Mexico.

YEAR 1831

The University of Alabama is founded in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.

The University of Alabama is founded in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.

YEAR 1797

War of the First Coalition: The Peace of Leoben is signed by Napoleon Bonaparte and Maximilian, Count of Merveldt, creating an armistice between Franc...

War of the First Coalition: The Peace of Leoben is signed by Napoleon Bonaparte and Maximilian, Count of Merveldt, creating an armistice between France and Austria, setting the stage for the Treaty of Campo Formio and ending the War of the First Coal...

YEAR 1783

Three-Fifths Compromise: The first instance of black slaves in the United States of America being counted as three-fifths of persons (for the purpose...

Three-Fifths Compromise: The first instance of black slaves in the United States of America being counted as three-fifths of persons (for the purpose of taxation), in a resolution of the Congress of the Confederation. This was later adopted in the 17...

YEAR 1775

American Revolution: The British Army advances up the Charles River in Massachusetts to destroy supplies of American militias, while Paul Revere and o...

American Revolution: The British Army advances up the Charles River in Massachusetts to destroy supplies of American militias, while Paul Revere and other riders rapidly warn the countryside.

YEAR 1738

Real Academia de la Historia ("Royal Academy of History") is founded in Madrid.

Real Academia de la Historia ("Royal Academy of History") is founded in Madrid.

YEAR 1689

Bostonians rise up in rebellion against Sir Edmund Andros.

Bostonians rise up in rebellion against Sir Edmund Andros.

YEAR 1521

Trial of Martin Luther begins its second day during the assembly of the Diet of Worms. He refuses to recant his teachings despite the risk of excommun...

Trial of Martin Luther begins its second day during the assembly of the Diet of Worms. He refuses to recant his teachings despite the risk of excommunication.

YEAR 1518

Bona Sforza is crowned as queen consort of Poland.

Bona Sforza is crowned as queen consort of Poland.

YEAR 1506

The cornerstone of the current St. Peter's Basilica is laid.

The cornerstone of the current St. Peter's Basilica is laid.

YEAR 1428

Peace of Ferrara between Republic of Venice, Duchy of Milan, Republic of Florence and House of Gonzaga: ending of the second campaign of the Wars in L...

Peace of Ferrara between Republic of Venice, Duchy of Milan, Republic of Florence and House of Gonzaga: ending of the second campaign of the Wars in Lombardy fought until the Treaty of Lodi in 1454, which will then guarantee the conditions for the de...

YEAR 796

King Æthelred I of Northumbria is murdered in Corbridge by a group led by his ealdormen, Ealdred and Wada. The patrician Osbald is crowned, but abdica...

King Æthelred I of Northumbria is murdered in Corbridge by a group led by his ealdormen, Ealdred and Wada. The patrician Osbald is crowned, but abdicates within 27 days.