What Happened on January 18?
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events
births
deaths
holidays
EVENTS ON JANUARY 18
Explore the most important historical events that happened on January 18, featuring key moments that shaped the world.
First Balkan War
Year:
1913
First Balkan War: A Greek flotilla defeats the Ottoman Navy in the Naval Battle of Lemnos, securing the islands of the Northern Aegean Sea for Greece.
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Twenty-One Demands
Year:
1915
Japan issues the "Twenty-One Demands" to the Republic of China in a bid to increase its power in East Asia.
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Eugene Burton Ely
Year:
1911
Eugene B. Ely lands on the deck of the USS Pennsylvania anchored in San Francisco Bay, the first time an aircraft landed on a ship.
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X-ray
Year:
1896
An X-ray generating machine is exhibited for the first time by H. L. Smith.
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Field hockey
Year:
1886
Modern field hockey is born with the formation of The Hockey Association in England.
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Ignacy Jan Paderewski
Year:
1919
Ignacy Jan Paderewski becomes Prime Minister of the newly independent Poland.
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World War I
Year:
1919
World War I: The Paris Peace Conference opens in Versailles, France.
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Kraków
Year:
1945
World War II: Liberation of Kraków, Poland by the Red Army.
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BIRTHS ON JANUARY 18
Discover famous people and historical figures born on January 18, including leaders, artists, scientists, and cultural icons.
Gad Yaacobi
Year of birth:
1935
Gad Yaacobi, Israeli academic and diplomat, 10th Israel Ambassador to the United Nations (died 2007)
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Albert Millaire
Year of birth:
1935
Albert Millaire, Canadian actor and director (died 2018)
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Raymond Briggs
Year of birth:
1934
Raymond Briggs, English author and illustrator (died 2022)
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Emeka Anyaoku
Year of birth:
1933
Emeka Anyaoku, Nigerian politician, 8th Nigerian Minister of Foreign Affairs
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John Boorman
Year of birth:
1933
John Boorman, English director, producer, and screenwriter
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David Bellamy
Year of birth:
1933
David Bellamy, English botanist, author and academic (died 2019)
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Eddie Jones (artist)
Year of birth:
1935
Eddie Jones, British illustrator (died 1999)
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David Howell, Baron Howell of Guildford
Year of birth:
1936
David Howell, Baron Howell of Guildford, English journalist and politician, Secretary of State for Transport
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DEATHS ON JANUARY 18
Look back at notable individuals who passed away on January 18, and learn about their lasting influences on history.
Virgil Finlay
Year of death:
1971
Virgil Finlay, American illustrator (born 1914)
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David O. McKay
Year of death:
1970
David O. McKay, American religious leader, 9th President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (born 1873)
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Irina Levchenko
Year of death:
1973
Irina Nikolaevna Levchenko, Russian tank commander (born 1924)
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Gertrude Olmstead
Year of death:
1975
Gertrude Olmstead, American actress (born 1897)
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Henry II, Count of Nassau-Siegen
Year of death:
1451
Henry II, Count of Nassau-Siegen (1442–1451) (born 1414)
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Hans Freyer
Year of death:
1969
Hans Freyer, German sociologist and philosopher (born 1887)
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Goose Tatum
Year of death:
1967
Goose Tatum, American basketball player and soldier (born 1921)
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Konstantin Päts
Year of death:
1956
Konstantin Päts, Estonian journalist, lawyer, and politician, 1st President of Estonia (born 1874)
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HOLIDAYS ON JANUARY 18
See which holidays, observances, and special celebrations take place on January 18 around the world.
Saint Prisca
Christian feast day: Prisca
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Volusian of Tours
Christian feast day: Volusianus of Tours
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January 18 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics)
Christian feast day: January 18 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics)
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Margaret of Hungary (saint)
Christian feast day: Margaret of Hungary
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Deicolus
Christian feast day: Deicolus
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Athanasius of Alexandria
Christian feast day: Athanasius of Alexandria (Eastern Orthodox Church)
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Amy Carmichael
Christian feast day: Amy Carmichael (Church of England)
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Confession of Peter
Christian feast day: Confession of Peter (Eastern Orthodox, some Anglican and Lutheran Churches)
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