What Happened on December 18?
All
events
births
deaths
holidays
EVENTS ON DECEMBER 18
Explore the most important historical events that happened on December 18, featuring key moments that shaped the world.
Gaston de Chasseloup-Laubat
Year:
1898
Gaston de Chasseloup-Laubat sets the first officially recognized land speed record of 63.159 km/h (39.245 mph) in a Jeantaud electric car.
Like
The Nutcracker
Year:
1892
Premiere performance of The Nutcracker by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky in Saint Petersburg, Russia.
Like
House of Thani
Year:
1878
The Al-Thani family become the rulers of the state of Qatar.
Like
World War I
Year:
1916
World War I: The Battle of Verdun ends when the second French offensive pushes the Germans back two or three kilometres, causing them to cease their attacks.
Like
Eighteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution
Year:
1917
The resolution containing the language of the Eighteenth Amendment to enact Prohibition is passed by the United States Congress.
Like
World War II
Year:
1939
World War II: The Battle of the Heligoland Bight, the first major air battle of the war, takes place.
Like
Lanka Sama Samaja Party
Year:
1935
The Lanka Sama Samaja Party is founded in Ceylon.
Like
Chicago Bears
Year:
1932
The Chicago Bears defeat the Portsmouth Spartans in the first NFL playoff game to win the NFL Championship.
Like
BIRTHS ON DECEMBER 18
Discover famous people and historical figures born on December 18, including leaders, artists, scientists, and cultural icons.
Bill Skowron
Year of birth:
1930
Moose Skowron, American baseball player (died 2012)
Like
Gene Shue
Year of birth:
1931
Gene Shue, American basketball player, coach, and executive (died 2022)
Like
Gino Cimoli
Year of birth:
1929
Gino Cimoli, American baseball player (died 2011)
Like
Józef Glemp
Year of birth:
1929
Józef Glemp, Polish cardinal (died 2013)
Like
Mirza Tahir Ahmad
Year of birth:
1928
Mirza Tahir Ahmad, Indian-English caliph and author (died 2003)
Like
Allen Klein
Year of birth:
1931
Allen Klein, American businessman and music publisher (died 2009)
Like
Roger Smith (actor)
Year of birth:
1932
Roger Smith, American actor, producer, and screenwriter (died 2017)
Like
Jacques Pépin
Year of birth:
1935
Jacques Pépin, French-American chef and author
Like
DEATHS ON DECEMBER 18
Look back at notable individuals who passed away on December 18, and learn about their lasting influences on history.
Theodosius Dobzhansky
Year of death:
1975
Theodosius Dobzhansky, Ukrainian geneticist and biologist (born 1900)
Like
Harry Hooper
Year of death:
1974
Harry Hooper, American baseball player, coach, and manager (born 1887)
Like
Louis Untermeyer
Year of death:
1977
Louis Untermeyer American poet, anthologist, critic (born 1885)
Like
Michio Nishizawa
Year of death:
1977
Michio Nishizawa, Japanese baseball player and manager (born 1921)
Like
Alexei Kosygin
Year of death:
1980
Alexei Kosygin, Russian soldier and politician, 8th Premier of the Soviet Union (born 1904)
Like
Rasheed Turabi
Year of death:
1973
Allamah Rasheed Turabi, Indian-Pakistani religious leader and philosopher (born 1908)
Like
Neilia Hunter Biden
Year of death:
1972
Neilia Hunter Biden, first wife of Joe Biden (born 1942)
Like
Leo Reisman
Year of death:
1961
Leo Reisman, American violinist and bandleader (born 1897)
Like
HOLIDAYS ON DECEMBER 18
See which holidays, observances, and special celebrations take place on December 18 around the world.
December 18 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics)
Christian feast day: December 18 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics)
Like
International Migrants Day
International Migrants Day
Like
National Day (Qatar)
National Day (Qatar)
Like
UN Arabic Language Day
UN Arabic Language Day (United Nations)
Like
Expectation of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Christian feast day: Expectation of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Like
Winibald
Christian feast day: Winibald
Like
Saint Sebastian
Christian feast day: Sebastian (Eastern Orthodox Church)
Like
Gatianus of Tours
Christian feast day: Gatianus of Tours
Like