What Happened on December 18

Complete Timeline — December 18 Through the Ages

1. 218

   BC Battle of the Trebia: Hannibal's Carthaginian army heavily defeats Roman forces on Italian soil during the Second Pun

   BC Battle of the Trebia: Hannibal's Carthaginian army heavily defeats Roman forces on Italian soil during the Second Punic War

2. 665

   Ildefonsus, Archbishop of Toledo, and later saint, reportedly has a vision of the Virgin Mary, who presents him with a p

   Ildefonsus, Archbishop of Toledo, and later saint, reportedly has a vision of the Virgin Mary, who presents him with a priestly vestment

3. 1118

   Alfonso I of Aragon occupies Zaragoza defeating taking Moorish Taifa Zaragoza from the Moors

   Alfonso I of Aragon occupies Zaragoza defeating taking Moorish Taifa Zaragoza from the Moors

4. 1271

   Mongol Emperor Kublai Khan renames his empire "Yuan" (元 yuán), marking the start of the Yuan Dynasty of China

   The Yuan dynasty, officially the Great Yuan, was a Mongol-led imperial dynasty of China and a successor state to the Mongol Empire after its division.

5. 1352

   Etienne Aubert elected as Pope Innocentius VI

   Etienne Aubert elected as Pope Innocentius VI

6. 1385

   Peace of Tournai (Dutch - Doornik) signed between the Burgundian Duke Philip II and the rebellious city of Ghent

   The Peace of Tournai (Vrede van Doornik in Dutch) was an agreement between the Burgundian Duke Philip II and the rebellious city of Ghent signed on 18 December 1385 which put an end to the Revolt of...

7. 1406

   Anton of Burgundy becomes Duke of Brabant

   Anton of Burgundy becomes Duke of Brabant

8. 1603

   First fleet of the Dutch East India Company under Admiral Steven van der Haghen departs for the East-Indies

   First fleet of the Dutch East India Company under Admiral Steven van der Haghen departs for the East-Indies

9. 1621

   English parliament accept unanimously, Protestation

   English parliament accept unanimously, Protestation

10. 1642

    Abel Tasman's expedition is the first European voyage to reach New Zealand sailing into Wharewharangi Bay at the top of

    Abel Tasman's expedition is the first European voyage to reach New Zealand sailing into Wharewharangi Bay at the top of the South Island, making the first confirmed contact with Maori

11. 1719

    Thomas Fleet publishes "Mother Goose's Melodies For Children" in Boston, Massachusetts

    Thomas Fleet (September 8, 1685 – July 21, 1758) was an English printer who came to the British colonies in America and established himself as a printer and publisher in Boston.

12. 1744

    Holy Roman Empress Maria Theresa expels Jews from Prague

    Maria Theresa (Maria Theresia Walburga Amalia Christina; 13 May 1717 – 29 November 1780) was the ruler of the Habsburg monarchy from 1740 until her death in 1780, and the only woman to hold the...

13. 1777

    1st US national Thanksgiving Day, commemorating British General Burgoyne's surrender

    1st US national Thanksgiving Day, commemorating British General Burgoyne's surrender

14. 1793

    Surrender of the frigate La Lutine by French royalists to Lord Hood; renamed HMS Lutine, she later becomes a famous trea

    Surrender of the frigate La Lutine by French royalists to Lord Hood; renamed HMS Lutine, she later becomes a famous treasure wreck

15. 1796

    1st US newspaper to appear on Sunday (Baltimore Monitor)

    Baltimore, also known as Baltimore City, is the most populous city in the U.S. state of Maryland. It is the 30th-most populous U.S.

16. 1813

    British take Fort Niagara in War of 1812

    The Capture of Fort Niagara took place 19 December 1813 during the War of 1812 between Great Britain and the United States.

17. 1849

    William Bond obtains 1st photograph of Moon through a telescope

    William Bond obtains 1st photograph of Moon through a telescope

18. 1862

    Battle at Lexington, Tennessee (part of Forrest's Second Raid)

    The Battle of Shiloh, also known as the Battle of Pittsburg Landing, was a major battle in the American Civil War fought on April 6–7, 1862.

19. 1865

    1st US cattle importation law passed

    1st US cattle importation law passed

20. 1867

    Around 49 victims of "Angola Horror" train wreck burn to death in Angola, New York

    Around 49 victims of "Angola Horror" train wreck burn to death in Angola, New York

21. 1869

    Canada's Hamilton Football Club plays its 1st game

    Canada's Hamilton Football Club plays its 1st game

22. 1878

    French SS Byzantin sinks after collision in Dardanelles, 210 killed

    French SS Byzantin sinks after collision in Dardanelles, 210 killed

23. 1886

    Ty Cobb is born

    Ty Cobb, American athlete, known for american baseball player, was born on 1886-12-18.

24. 1888

    Richard Wetherill and his brother in-law discover the ancient Anasazi ruins of Mesa Verde, Colorado

    Richard Wetherill (1858–1910), a member of a Colorado ranching family, was an amateur archaeologist who discovered, researched and excavated sites associated with the Ancient Pueblo People.

25. 1890

    Frederick Lugard's British expedition to Meng and Kampala, Uganda

    Frederick Lugard's British expedition to Meng and Kampala, Uganda

26. 1892

    Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky's ballet "The Nutcracker" premieres in Saint Petersburg, Russia, now the world's most performed

    Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky's ballet "The Nutcracker" premieres in Saint Petersburg, Russia, now the world's most performed ballet; his final opera "Isolanta" also premieres

27. 1894

    Day 4 of the 1st cricket test Australia v England, England following on 4-268, 7 in front

    Day 4 of the 1st cricket test Australia v England, England following on 4-268, 7 in front

28. 1897

    Fletcher Henderson is born

    Fletcher Henderson, American musician, known for american jazz pianist and bandleader, was born on 1897-12-18.

29. 1898

    First automobile speed record set of 63 kph (39 mph) by French Count Gaston de Chasseloup-Laubat of Paris

    First automobile speed record set of 63 kph (39 mph) by French Count Gaston de Chasseloup-Laubat of Paris

30. 1899

    Field Marshal Lord Roberts appointed British supreme commander in South Africa

    Field Marshal Lord Roberts appointed British supreme commander in South Africa

31. 1900

    The Upper Ferntree Gully to Gembrook Narrow-gauge (2 ft 6 in or 762 mm) Railway (now the Puffing Billy Railway) in Victo

    The Upper Ferntree Gully to Gembrook Narrow-gauge (2 ft 6 in or 762 mm) Railway (now the Puffing Billy Railway) in Victoria, Australia is opened for traffic.

32. 1905

    H V Hordern takes 8-81 in 2nd innings of First Class debut (NSW v Qld)

    H V Hordern takes 8-81 in 2nd innings of First Class debut (NSW v Qld)

33. 1911

    First exhibition of the German expressionist artist group Der Blaue Reiter at Heinrich Thannhauser's Moderne Galerie in

    First exhibition of the German expressionist artist group Der Blaue Reiter at Heinrich Thannhauser's Moderne Galerie in Munich; paintings by 14 artists were shown, including: Henri Rousseau, Albert Bloch, Wassily Kandinsky, Franz Marc, Gabriele Münter, and Arnold Schoenberg

34. 1913

    The Indian Inquiry Commission, also known as the Solomon Commission, commences its sittings in Pretoria

    The Indian Inquiry Commission, also known as the Solomon Commission, commences its sittings in Pretoria

35. 1915

    28th US President Woodrow Wilson, widowed the year before marries second wife Edith Bolling Galt, a descendant of native

    28th US President Woodrow Wilson, widowed the year before marries second wife Edith Bolling Galt, a descendant of native American Pocahontas

36. 1916

    Battle of Verdun, longest of World War I, officially ends in German defeat after nine months of fighting and almost 1 mi

    Battle of Verdun, longest of World War I, officially ends in German defeat after nine months of fighting and almost 1 million total casualties

37. 1916

    Betty Grable is born

    Betty Grable, American musician, known for american actress and pin-up girl, was born on 1916-12-18.

38. 1917

    The 18th Amendment to the US Constitution, authorizing prohibition of alcohol, is approved by the US congress and sent t

    The 18th Amendment to the US Constitution, authorizing prohibition of alcohol, is approved by the US congress and sent to the states for ratification [1]

39. 1920

    1st US postage stamps printed without the words United States or US

    1st US postage stamps printed without the words United States or US

40. 1923

    Jazz musician Louis Armstrong (22) divorces Daisy Parker after 5 years of marriage

    Louis Daniel Armstrong (August 4, 1901 – July 6, 1971), nicknamed "Satchmo", "Satch", and "Pops", was an American jazz and blues trumpeter and vocalist.

41. 1923

    International zone of Tangier set up in Morocco

    The Tangier International Zone was a 382 km2 (147 sq mi) international zone centered on the city of Tangier, Morocco, which existed from 1925 until its reintegration into independent Morocco in 1956,...

42. 1926

    American actor George Murphy (24) weds ballroom dancing partner Juliette Henkel, until her death in 1973

    American actor George Murphy (24) weds ballroom dancing partner Juliette Henkel, until her death in 1973

43. 1932

    Civil rights activist Rosa McCauley (19) weds Raymond Parks (29) in Montgomery, Alabama

    Civil rights activist Rosa McCauley (19) weds Raymond Parks (29) in Montgomery, Alabama

44. 1936

    Queensland cricket all out for 49 v Vic, Fleetwood-Smith 7-17

    Leslie O'Brien "Chuck" Fleetwood-Smith (30 March 1908 – 16 March 1971) was a cricketer who played for Victoria and Australia.

45. 1939

    Finnish army recaptures Agläjärvi (Karelia)

    Finnish army recaptures Agläjärvi (Karelia)

46. 1941

    44 surviving crewmen of German U-434 surrender to the HMS Blankney after scuttling their wounded submarine. Two are lost

    44 surviving crewmen of German U-434 surrender to the HMS Blankney after scuttling their wounded submarine. Two are lost.

47. 1944

    Nazi occupiers of Amsterdam destroy electricity plants

    Nazi occupiers of Amsterdam destroy electricity plants

48. 1944

    Keith Richards is born

    Keith Richards, English musician, known for english guitarist, was born on 1944-12-18.

49. 1945

    Uruguay joins the United Nations

    The Charter of the United Nations, also referred to as the UN Charter, is the foundational treaty of the United Nations.

50. 1946

    TV's 1st network dramatic serial "Faraway Hill" ends 2 month run in US

    TV's 1st network dramatic serial "Faraway Hill" ends 2 month run in US

51. 1947

    Steven Spielberg is born

    Steven Spielberg, American filmmaker, known for american filmmaker, was born on 1947-12-18. Steven Allan Spielberg is an American filmmaker.

52. 1948

    Indonesia begins its 2nd political election

    Indonesia begins its 2nd political election

53. 1952

    Ellis W. Ryan resigns as Cleveland Indians president

    Ellis W. Ryan resigns as Cleveland Indians president

54. 1953

    KATV TV channel 7 in Little Rock, AR (ABC) begins broadcasting

    KATV TV channel 7 in Little Rock, AR (ABC) begins broadcasting

55. 1954

    Ray Liotta is born

    Ray Liotta, American actor, known for american actor, was born on 1954-12-18. Raymond Allen Liotta was an American actor.

56. 1956

    "To Tell the Truth" debuts on CBS-TV

    To Tell the Truth is an American television panel show. Four celebrity panelists are presented with three contestants, all claiming to be the subject of a story read aloud by the host.

57. 1956

    Phil Rizzuto signs as NY Yankees radio-TV announcer

    Philip Francis Rizzuto (September 25, 1917 – August 13, 2007), nicknamed "the Scooter", was an American Major League Baseball shortstop.

58. 1957

    World's first full scale nuclear power plant, for peacetime use only, begins to generate electricity at the Shippingport

    World's first full scale nuclear power plant, for peacetime use only, begins to generate electricity at the Shippingport Atomic Power Station in Pennsylvania

59. 1958

    Niger gains autonomy within French Community (National Day)

    Niger gains autonomy within French Community (National Day)

60. 1959

    Sammy Baugh is named the first coach of the NY Titans (AFL)

    Samuel Adrian Baugh (March 17, 1914 – December 17, 2008) was an American professional football quarterback who played 16 seasons with the Washington Redskins of the National Football League (NFL).

61. 1960

    General Meeting of UN condemns apartheid

    Apartheid ( ə-PART-(h)yte, especially South African English: ə-PART-(h)ayt, Afrikaans: [aˈpart (ɦ)əit] ; transl. "separateness", lit. 'aparthood') was a system of institutionalised racial segregation...

62. 1961

    For second consecutive year, AP names Wilma Rudolph female athlete of year

    For second consecutive year, AP names Wilma Rudolph female athlete of year

63. 1961

    Yoon Suk-yeol is born

    Yoon Suk-yeol is born

64. 1962

    Ballon d'Or: Dukler Prague midfielder Josef Masopust wins award for best European football player; beats Benfica striker

    Ballon d'Or: Dukler Prague midfielder Josef Masopust wins award for best European football player; beats Benfica striker Eusébio and FC Köln defender Karl-Heinz Schnellinger

65. 1962

    Dmitri Shostakovich's Symphony No. 13 premieres at the Large Hall of the Moscow Conservatory in Moscow

    The Symphony No. 13 in B♭ minor, Op. 113 for bass soloist, bass chorus, and large orchestra was composed by Dmitri Shostakovich in 1962.

66. 1964

    "The Pink Panther" cartoon series premieres (Pink Phink)

    "The Pink Panther" cartoon series premieres (Pink Phink)

67. 1964

    During funeral service held for soul singer Sam Cooke, fans cause damage to funeral home

    During funeral service held for soul singer Sam Cooke, fans cause damage to funeral home

68. 1964

    Brad Pitt is born

    Brad Pitt, American actor, known for american actor, was born on 1964-12-18. William Bradley Pitt is an American actor and film producer.

69. 1965

    Steve Austin is born

    Steve Austin, American professional wrestler and actor, known for american professional wrestler and actor, was born on 1965-12-18.

70. 1968

    British actor Peter Sellers (43) divorces second wife, Swedish actress Britt Ekland, after 4 years of marriage

    British actor Peter Sellers (43) divorces second wife, Swedish actress Britt Ekland, after 4 years of marriage

71. 1969

    "On Her Majesty's Secret Service", 6th James Bond Film starring George Lazenby and Diana Rigg, premieres in London

    "On Her Majesty's Secret Service", 6th James Bond Film starring George Lazenby and Diana Rigg, premieres in London

72. 1970

    Polish uprising fails

    Polish uprising fails

73. 1970

    DMX is born

    DMX, American musician, known for american rapper, was born on 1970-12-18. Earl Simmons (December 18, 1970 – April 9, 2021), known professionally as DMX, was an American rapper, songwriter, and…

74. 1971

    1st Candlelight Processional at the EPCOT Center, Disney World

    The Walt Disney World Resort is an entertainment resort complex located about 20 miles (32 km) southwest of Orlando, Florida, United States.

75. 1972

    Arantxa Sánchez Vicario is born

    Arantxa Sánchez Vicario, Spanish athlete, known for spanish former tennis player, was born on 1972-12-18.

76. 1973

    Soyuz 13 launched into Earth orbit for 8 days

    Soyuz 13 was a December, 1973, Soviet crewed space flight, the second test flight of the redesigned Soyuz 7K-T spacecraft that first flew as Soyuz 12.

77. 1974

    San Francisco Visitors Center at City Hall opens

    San Francisco City Hall is the seat of government for the City and County of San Francisco, California.

78. 1976

    "Wonder Woman" debuts on ABC

    Wonder Woman, known for seasons 2 and 3 as The New Adventures of Wonder Woman, is an American superhero television series based on the DC Comics comic book superhero of the same name.

79. 1977

    NBA Cleveland Cavaliers retire jersey # 42, Nate Thumond

    NBA Cleveland Cavaliers retire jersey # 42, Nate Thumond

80. 1978

    France performs nuclear test at Mururoa Atoll

    France performs nuclear test at Mururoa Atoll

81. 1979

    Stuntman Stanley Barrett unofficially breaks the land speed record and the sound barrier in his three-wheeled vehicle th

    Stuntman Stanley Barrett unofficially breaks the land speed record and the sound barrier in his three-wheeled vehicle the Budweiser Rocket (739.666 mph or Mach 1.01). The speed was never officially recorded and the attempt remains controversial.

82. 1979

    Katie Holmes is born

    Katie Holmes, American actress, known for american actress, was born on 1979-12-18. Kate Noelle Holmes is an American actress and filmmaker.

83. 1980

    Dutch 2nd Chamber accepts minister Van Agts abortion laws

    Dutch 2nd Chamber accepts minister Van Agts abortion laws

84. 1981

    Christina Aguilera is born

    Christina Aguilera, American singer and songwriter, known for american singer and songwriter, was born on 1981-12-18.

85. 1982

    Flight readiness firing of Challenger's main engines; 20 seconds

    Flight readiness firing of Challenger's main engines; 20 seconds

86. 1983

    NBA San Diego Clippers ends 29 game road losing streak

    The 1983–84 NBA season was the 38th season of the National Basketball Association.

87. 1985

    UN Security Council unanimously condemns "acts of hostage-taking"

    United Nations Security Council resolution 579, adopted unanimously on 18 December 1985, in a meeting called by the United States, the Council expressed its deep concern at the prevalence in...

88. 1987

    American stockbroker Ivan Boesky sentenced to 3 years in prison for insider trading

    American stockbroker Ivan Boesky sentenced to 3 years in prison for insider trading

89. 1988

    Seattle Seahawks win their 1st ever division title with 9-7 record

    Seattle Seahawks win their 1st ever division title with 9-7 record

90. 1989

    "I Love Lucy" Christmas episode, shown for 1st time in over 30 years

    I Love Lucy is an American sitcom that aired on CBS from October 15, 1951, to May 6, 1957, with 180 half-hour episodes across six seasons.

91. 1990

    Bush reiterates his "no concessions" stance against Iraq

    Bush reiterates his "no concessions" stance against Iraq

92. 1991

    DeForest Kelly (Dr McCoy on Star Trek) gets a star in Hollywood

    DeForest Kelly (Dr McCoy on Star Trek) gets a star in Hollywood

93. 1992

    FCC vote 4-1 to allow Infinity to purchase Cook Inlet stations

    FCC vote 4-1 to allow Infinity to purchase Cook Inlet stations

94. 1993

    Kevin Scott skates world record 1K (1:12.54)

    Kevin Scott skates world record 1K (1:12.54)

95. 1994

    Darryl Strawberry pleads not guilty on tax evasion charges

    Darryl Eugene Strawberry Sr. is an American former professional baseball right fielder who played 17 seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB).

96. 1996

    During a press conference, Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Maleki states that Iran supports the free flow of oil t

    During a press conference, Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Maleki states that Iran supports the free flow of oil through the Strait of Hormuz, but reserves the option of closing off the shipping route if it is threatened

97. 1997

    HTML 4.0 is published by the World Wide Web Consortium

    Hypertext Markup Language (HTML) is the standard markup language for documents designed to be displayed in a web browser. It defines the content and structure of web content.

98. 1999

    Environmental activist Julia Butterfly Hill ends her protest after 738 days of living in a redwood tree in Humboldt Coun

    Environmental activist Julia Butterfly Hill ends her protest after 738 days of living in a redwood tree in Humboldt County

99. 2001

    Ballon d'Or: Liverpool forward Michael Owen is named best football player in Europe ahead of Real Madrid striker Raúl an

    Ballon d'Or: Liverpool forward Michael Owen is named best football player in Europe ahead of Real Madrid striker Raúl and Bayern Munich goalkeeper Oliver Kahn

100. 2002

     Billie Eilish is born

     Billie Eilish, American musician, known for american singer-songwriter, was born on 2002-12-18. Billie Eilish Pirate Baird O'Connell is an American singer-songwriter.

101. 2009

     James Cameron's "Avatar" starring Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldana and Sigourney Weaver, released in the US, becomes highest

     James Cameron's "Avatar" starring Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldana and Sigourney Weaver, released in the US, becomes highest-grossing film of all time

102. 2011

     The last US troops withdraw from Iraq, formally ending the Iraq War

     The Iraq War, also referred to as the Second Gulf War, was a prolonged conflict in Iraq from 2003 to 2011.

103. 2012

     4 people are killed and 11 are injured after an apartment block collapses in Palermo, Italy

     4 people are killed and 11 are injured after an apartment block collapses in Palermo, Italy

104. 2017

     Australia regains cricket's Ashes against England, winning by an innings to take 3 game lead at the WACA in Perth

     Australia regains cricket's Ashes against England, winning by an innings to take 3 game lead at the WACA in Perth

105. 2018

     Fire destroys 600 stilt homes in Manaus, northwestern Brazil

     Fire destroys 600 stilt homes in Manaus, northwestern Brazil

106. 2019

     US House of Representatives votes to impeach President Donald Trump for abuse of power (230-197) and obstruction of Cong

     US House of Representatives votes to impeach President Donald Trump for abuse of power (230-197) and obstruction of Congress (229-198)

107. 2020

     International body Covax, established to distribute COVID-19 vaccines to low and middle income countries, announces deal

     International body Covax, established to distribute COVID-19 vaccines to low and middle income countries, announces deals with vaccine manufacturers and method for countries to share excess vaccines

108. 2022

     FIFA World Cup Final, Lusail Stadium, Qatar: Argentina beats France, 4-2 in penalty shootout after teams locked at 3-3 a

     FIFA World Cup Final, Lusail Stadium, Qatar: Argentina beats France, 4-2 in penalty shootout after teams locked at 3-3 after extra time; Lionel Messi scores 2 for Argentina, Kylian Mbappé a hat-trick for France

109. 2023

     6.2 magnitude earthquake strikes Jishishan county in Gansu Province killing at least 127 people - China's worst earthqua

     6.2 magnitude earthquake strikes Jishishan county in Gansu Province killing at least 127 people - China's worst earthquake in 13 years [1]

110. 2025

     27th and 28th US military strikes in international waters of the eastern Pacific Ocean sink two suspected drug smuggling

     27th and 28th US military strikes in international waters of the eastern Pacific Ocean sink two suspected drug smuggling vessels and kill five, bringing total deaths in the program to over 100

People Associated with December 18

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