What Happened on August 18?
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events
births
deaths
holidays
EVENTS ON AUGUST 18
Explore the most important historical events that happened on August 18, featuring key moments that shaped the world.
Astronomer
Year:
1877
American astronomer Asaph Hall discovers Phobos, one of Mars's moons.
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1891 Martinique hurricane
Year:
1891
A major hurricane strikes Martinique, leaving 700 dead.
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Franco-Prussian War
Year:
1870
Franco-Prussian War: Battle of Gravelotte is fought.
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Astronomer
Year:
1868
French astronomer Pierre Janssen discovers helium.
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American Civil War
Year:
1864
American Civil War: Battle of Globe Tavern: Union forces try to cut a vital Confederate supply-line into Petersburg, Virginia, by attacking the Wilmington and Weldon Railroad.
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Karl Jatho
Year:
1903
German engineer Karl Jatho allegedly flies his self-made, motored gliding airplane four months before the first flight of the Wright brothers.
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Great Thessaloniki Fire of 1917
Year:
1917
A Great Fire in Thessaloniki, Greece, destroys 32% of the city leaving 70,000 individuals homeless.
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Iceland
Year:
2019
One hundred activists, officials, and other concerned citizens in Iceland hold a funeral for Okjökull glacier, which has completely melted after having once covered six square miles (15.5 km2).
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BIRTHS ON AUGUST 18
Discover famous people and historical figures born on August 18, including leaders, artists, scientists, and cultural icons.
Godfrey Evans
Year of birth:
1920
Godfrey Evans, English cricketer (died 1999)
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Zdzisław Żygulski (art historian)
Year of birth:
1921
Zdzisław Żygulski, Polish historian and academic (died 2015)
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Bob Kennedy
Year of birth:
1920
Bob Kennedy, American baseball player and manager (died 2005)
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Shelley Winters
Year of birth:
1920
Shelley Winters, American actress (died 2006)
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Wally Hickel
Year of birth:
1919
Wally Hickel, American businessman and politician, 2nd Governor of Alaska (died 2010)
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Lydia Litvyak
Year of birth:
1921
Lydia Litvyak, Russian lieutenant and pilot (died 1943)
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Alain Robbe-Grillet
Year of birth:
1922
Alain Robbe-Grillet, French director, screenwriter, and novelist (died 2008)
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Rosalynn Carter
Year of birth:
1927
Rosalynn Carter, 41st First Lady of the United States (died 2023)
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DEATHS ON AUGUST 18
Look back at notable individuals who passed away on August 18, and learn about their lasting influences on history.
Paul Mares
Year of death:
1949
Paul Mares, American trumpet player and bandleader (born 1900)
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Julien Lahaut
Year of death:
1950
Julien Lahaut, Belgian soldier and politician (born 1884)
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Alberto Hurtado
Year of death:
1952
Alberto Hurtado, Chilean priest, lawyer, and saint (born 1901)
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Learned Hand
Year of death:
1961
Learned Hand, American lawyer, jurist, and philosopher (born 1872)
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Pope Alexander VI
Year of death:
1503
Pope Alexander VI (born 1431)
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Luo Shiwen
Year of death:
1946
Luo Shiwen, Chinese communist (born 1904)
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Aliagha Shikhlinski
Year of death:
1943
Ali-Agha Shikhlinski, Azerbaijani general (born 1865)
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Ernst Thälmann
Year of death:
1944
Ernst Thälmann, German soldier and politician (born 1886)
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HOLIDAYS ON AUGUST 18
See which holidays, observances, and special celebrations take place on August 18 around the world.
August 18 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics)
Christian feast day: August 18 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics)
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Arbor Day
Arbor Day (Pakistan)
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Armed Forces Day
Armed Forces Day (North Macedonia)
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Virginia Dare
Birthday of Virginia Dare (Roanoke Island)
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Agapitus of Palestrina
Christian feast day: Agapitus of Palestrina
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Helena, mother of Constantine I
Christian feast day: Helena of Constantinople (Roman Catholic Church)
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Alberto Hurtado
Christian feast day: Alberto Hurtado
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Florus and Laurus
Christian feast day: Florus and Laurus
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