April 18 is the 108th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar; 257 days remain until the end of the year.
We have some interesting facts & historic events all about April 18th, including areas in religion, crime, health and more.
Keep reading for more interesting facts about April 18th in history!
Table of Contents
Global Celebrations
- World Heritage Day
- Pet Owners Independence Day
- National Pinata Day
- National Columnists Day
- World Amateur Radio Day
- National Lineman Appreciation Day
Historic Events
What Happened On This Day – April 18
1956: Rainier III marries Grace Kelly
The wedding celebrations for the Prince of Monaco and the glamorous U.S. actress were broadcast around the world and enthused the population of war-torn Europe.
1951: The European Coal and Steel Community, a precursor of the European Union, is established
The Treaty of Paris was signed by France, West Germany, Italy, Belgium, Luxembourg and the Netherlands.
1949: Ireland becomes an independent republic
Six counties in the northern part of the island remained in the Commonwealth, leading to a decades-long ethno-nationalist conflict that culminated in The Troubles.
1906: A massive earthquake destroys San Francisco
About 3000 people died in the disaster. Over 80 percent of the city was destroyed by the quake and resulting fires.
1506: Construction of the current St. Peter’s Basilica begins
St. Peter’s in Vatican City is one of the world’s most important Catholic sites.
1939: Children of labour migrants camped near Spiro, Oklahoma, June 1939
1929: The R-100 departed on its first voyage in 1929.
1927: Chiang Kai-shek forms anti-government in China in 1927.
1906: San Francisco Earthquake of 1906: Ruins in vicinity of Post and Grant Avenue. Looking northeast. April 1906 (H. D. Chadwick)
1899: St. Andrew’s Ambulance Association is granted a Royal Charter by Queen Victoria in 1899.
1874: David Livingstone, an African explorer, was buried in Westminster Abbey in 1874.
Famous Birthdays
Births On This Day, April 18
1973: Haile Gebrselassie, Ethiopian runner
1971: David Tennant, Scottish actor
1964: Niall Ferguson, Scottish historian
1902: Menachem Mendel Schneerson, Russian/French rabbi
1882: Leopold Stokowski, Polish/English conductor
Kourtney Kardashian was born.
Conan O’Brien was born.
Melisa Joan Hart was born.
Heartbreaking Deaths
Deaths On This Day, April 18
2012: Dick Clark, American television host, producer, founded Productions
2002: Thor Heyerdahl, Norwegian explorer
1964: Ben Hecht, American screenwriter, director, producer
1955: Albert Einstein, German/American physicist, Nobel Prize laureate
1943: Isoroku Yamamoto, Japanese Admiral
Albert Einstein died.
Isoruku Yammotu died.
Erasmus Darwin died.
