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On This Day

February 18

YEAR 2021

Perseverance, a Mars rover designed to explore Jezero crater on Mars, as part of NASA's Mars 2020 mission, lands successfully.

Perseverance, a Mars rover designed to explore Jezero crater on Mars, as part of NASA's Mars 2020 mission, lands successfully.

YEAR 2018

Iran Aseman Airlines Flight 3704 crashes in the Dena sub-range in the Zagros Mountains of Iran, Resulting in 66 Deaths

Iran Aseman Airlines Flight 3704 crashes in the Dena sub-range in the Zagros Mountains of Iran, Resulting in 66 Deaths

YEAR 2014

Revolution of Dignity: At least 76 people are killed and hundreds are injured in clashes between riot police and demonstrators in Kyiv, Ukraine.

Revolution of Dignity: At least 76 people are killed and hundreds are injured in clashes between riot police and demonstrators in Kyiv, Ukraine.

YEAR 2013

Armed robbers steal a haul of diamonds worth $50 million during a raid at Brussels Airport in Belgium.

Armed robbers steal a haul of diamonds worth $50 million during a raid at Brussels Airport in Belgium.

YEAR 2010

WikiLeaks publishes the first of hundreds of thousands of classified documents disclosed by the soldier now known as Chelsea Manning.

WikiLeaks publishes the first of hundreds of thousands of classified documents disclosed by the soldier now known as Chelsea Manning.

YEAR 2004

Up to 295 people, 182 of which being rescue workers, die near Nishapur, Iran, when a runaway freight train carrying sulfur, petrol and fertilizer catc...

Up to 295 people, 182 of which being rescue workers, die near Nishapur, Iran, when a runaway freight train carrying sulfur, petrol and fertilizer catches fire and explodes.

YEAR 2003

192 people die when an arsonist sets fire to a subway train in Daegu, South Korea.

192 people die when an arsonist sets fire to a subway train in Daegu, South Korea.

YEAR 2001

FBI agent Robert Hanssen is arrested for spying for the Soviet Union. He is ultimately convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment.

FBI agent Robert Hanssen is arrested for spying for the Soviet Union. He is ultimately convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment.

YEAR 2001

Sampit conflict: Inter-ethnic violence between Dayaks and Madurese breaks out in Sampit, Central Kalimantan, Indonesia, ultimately resulting in more t...

Sampit conflict: Inter-ethnic violence between Dayaks and Madurese breaks out in Sampit, Central Kalimantan, Indonesia, ultimately resulting in more than 500 deaths and 100,000 Madurese displaced from their homes.

YEAR 1991

The IRA explodes bombs in the early morning at Paddington station and Victoria station in London.

The IRA explodes bombs in the early morning at Paddington station and Victoria station in London.

YEAR 1983

Thirteen people die and one is seriously injured in the Wah Mee massacre in Seattle. It is said to be the largest robbery-motivated mass-murder in U.S...

Thirteen people die and one is seriously injured in the Wah Mee massacre in Seattle. It is said to be the largest robbery-motivated mass-murder in U.S. history.

YEAR 1979

Richard Petty wins a then-record sixth Daytona 500 after leaders Donnie Allison and Cale Yarborough crash on the final lap of the first NASCAR race te...

Richard Petty wins a then-record sixth Daytona 500 after leaders Donnie Allison and Cale Yarborough crash on the final lap of the first NASCAR race televised live flag-to-flag.

YEAR 1977

The Xinjiang 61st Regiment Farm fire started during Chinese New Year when a firecracker ignited memorial wreaths of the late Mao Zedong, killing 694 p...

The Xinjiang 61st Regiment Farm fire started during Chinese New Year when a firecracker ignited memorial wreaths of the late Mao Zedong, killing 694 personnel. It remains the deadliest fireworks accident in the world.

YEAR 1977

A thousand armed soldiers raid Kalakuta Republic, the commune of Nigerian singer Fela Kuti, leading to the death of Funmilayo Anikulapo Kuti.

A thousand armed soldiers raid Kalakuta Republic, the commune of Nigerian singer Fela Kuti, leading to the death of Funmilayo Anikulapo Kuti.

YEAR 1977

The Space Shuttle Enterprise test vehicle is carried on its maiden "flight" on top of a Boeing 747.

The Space Shuttle Enterprise test vehicle is carried on its maiden "flight" on top of a Boeing 747.

YEAR 1972

The California Supreme Court in the case of People v. Anderson, (6 Cal.3d 628) invalidates the state's death penalty and commutes the sentences of all...

The California Supreme Court in the case of People v. Anderson, (6 Cal.3d 628) invalidates the state's death penalty and commutes the sentences of all death row inmates to life imprisonment.

YEAR 1970

The Chicago Seven are found not guilty of conspiring to incite riots at the 1968 Democratic National Convention.

The Chicago Seven are found not guilty of conspiring to incite riots at the 1968 Democratic National Convention.

YEAR 1965

The Gambia becomes independent from the United Kingdom.

The Gambia becomes independent from the United Kingdom.

YEAR 1957

Kenyan rebel leader Dedan Kimathi is executed by the British colonial government.

Kenyan rebel leader Dedan Kimathi is executed by the British colonial government.

YEAR 1957

Walter James Bolton becomes the last person legally executed in New Zealand.

Walter James Bolton becomes the last person legally executed in New Zealand.