1857Invention
First patent for Bunsen burner
Robert Bunsen and Peter Desaga patented Bunsen burner for laboratory use.
Monday 12 October 2026
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Coincidence Engine
Two birth milestones share this date — A.A. Milne born (1882) and Jason Segel born (1980), 98 years apart.
1 / 3 coincidences found today • Auto-spins every 7s
From CurioVault
Today's curiosity
Before dinosaurs existed, dragonflies with 2-foot wings ruled the sky.
Read on CurioVault.co → Today's headlines
- 1970Panda Mating Fails; Veterinarian Takes OverHall of Fame◆
- 2002U.S. Hunts 5 Men Seen on Tape, Saying They May Plan AttackThe New York Times◆
- 2020Anthony Albanese flags 'ambitious' emissions target but won't recommit to 45% reductionThe Guardian◆
- 2017We can't work it out: Paul McCartney to sue Sony for rights to Beatles classicsThe Guardian◆
- 1981Phil Smith and Phil Mayfield parachute off a Houston skyscraper, becoming the first two people to BASE jump from objects in all four categories: buildings, antennae, spans (bridges), and earth (cliffs).Wikipedia◆
- 1788The armed tender HMS Supply, the first ship of the First Fleet, arrived at Botany Bay, Australia.Wikipedia◆
- 1896An X-ray generating machine is exhibited for the first time by H. L. Smith.Wikipedia◆
- 1788The first elements of the First Fleet carrying 736 convicts from Great Britain to Australia arrive at Botany Bay.Wikipedia◆
- 1977Scientists at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announce they have identified a previously unknown bacterium as the cause of the mysterious Legionnaires' disease.Wikipedia◆
- 1778James Cook is the first known European to discover the Hawaiian Islands, which he names the "Sandwich Islands".Wikipedia◆
- 1562Pope Pius IV reopens the Council of Trent for its third and final session.Wikipedia◆
- 532Nika riots in Constantinople fail.Wikipedia◆
- 1990In a sting operation conducted by the FBI, Marion Barry (pictured), the mayor of Washington, D.C., was arrested for possession of crack cocaine.Wikipedia◆
- 1958Willie O'Ree of the Boston Bruins played his first game in the National Hockey League, becoming the first black Canadian to compete in the NHL.Wikipedia◆
- 1970Panda Mating Fails; Veterinarian Takes OverHall of Fame◆
- 2002U.S. Hunts 5 Men Seen on Tape, Saying They May Plan AttackThe New York Times◆
- 2020Anthony Albanese flags 'ambitious' emissions target but won't recommit to 45% reductionThe Guardian◆
- 2017We can't work it out: Paul McCartney to sue Sony for rights to Beatles classicsThe Guardian◆
- 1981Phil Smith and Phil Mayfield parachute off a Houston skyscraper, becoming the first two people to BASE jump from objects in all four categories: buildings, antennae, spans (bridges), and earth (cliffs).Wikipedia◆
- 1788The armed tender HMS Supply, the first ship of the First Fleet, arrived at Botany Bay, Australia.Wikipedia◆
- 1896An X-ray generating machine is exhibited for the first time by H. L. Smith.Wikipedia◆
- 1788The first elements of the First Fleet carrying 736 convicts from Great Britain to Australia arrive at Botany Bay.Wikipedia◆
- 1977Scientists at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announce they have identified a previously unknown bacterium as the cause of the mysterious Legionnaires' disease.Wikipedia◆
- 1778James Cook is the first known European to discover the Hawaiian Islands, which he names the "Sandwich Islands".Wikipedia◆
- 1562Pope Pius IV reopens the Council of Trent for its third and final session.Wikipedia◆
- 532Nika riots in Constantinople fail.Wikipedia◆
- 1990In a sting operation conducted by the FBI, Marion Barry (pictured), the mayor of Washington, D.C., was arrested for possession of crack cocaine.Wikipedia◆
- 1958Willie O'Ree of the Boston Bruins played his first game in the National Hockey League, becoming the first black Canadian to compete in the NHL.Wikipedia◆
Birthday twins
You share your birthday with...
Jason Segel1980- Kevin Costner1955
- A.A. Milne1882
18 January in history
2 eventsEvents, inventions, discoveries and releases. Looking for people or sport? See , and below.
We are adding more verified events for this date - more coming soon.
1919Law
Versailles Conference opens
Paris Peace Conference opened at Palace of Versailles to negotiate peace after WWI.
Showing 1-2 of 2 events
What happened on this day · Odd history for today
Vintage News — January 18
1981 First everPhil Smith and Phil Mayfield parachute off a Houston skyscraper, becoming the first two people to BASE jump from objects in all four categories: buildings, antennae, spans (bridges), and earth (cliffs).
Read more →Source: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0
1788 First everThe armed tender HMS Supply, the first ship of the First Fleet, arrived at Botany Bay, Australia.
Read more →Source: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0
1896 First everAn X-ray generating machine is exhibited for the first time by H. L. Smith.
Read more →Source: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0
1788 First everThe first elements of the First Fleet carrying 736 convicts from Great Britain to Australia arrive at Botany Bay.
Read more →Source: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0
1977 WeirdScientists at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announce they have identified a previously unknown bacterium as the cause of the mysterious Legionnaires' disease.
Read more →Source: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0
From The Guardian Archives — On This Day
2020The GuardianAnthony Albanese flags 'ambitious' emissions target but won't recommit to 45% reductionOpposition leader says it was a mistake to recommit to 2016 policies at last election without reviewing them
Read on The Guardian →
2017The GuardianWe can't work it out: Paul McCartney to sue Sony for rights to Beatles classicsThe singer/songwriter is filing a suit to regain copyright ownership after Duran Duran tried and failed to do the sam…
Read on The Guardian →- 2002The New York Times · Front pageU.S. Hunts 5 Men Seen on Tape, Saying They May Plan Attack
Justice Dept announces global manhunt for five suspected members of Al Qaeda who were videotaped in Afghanistan offer…
Read on NYTimes.com →
Headlines via The Guardian Open Platform · Historic front pages via the NYT Archive API
Facts from Wikipedia On This Day API (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Wikimedia. Thumbnails CC BY-SA. Headlines via The Guardian Open Platform and the NYT Archive API. Historic pages via Library of Congress Chronicling America. Curated by OddlyTrue.
Strange but true headlines of the day
OddlyTrue News Stand
From the archives
Verified Real · year hiddenPanda Mating Fails; Veterinarian Takes Over
Source: Newspapers.comView clipping source
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1950
Weird history, same day
- 1981 First ever
Phil Smith and Phil Mayfield parachute off a Houston skyscraper, becoming the first two people to BASE jump from objects in all four categories: buildings, antennae, spans (bridges), and earth (cliffs).
Read more →Source: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0
- 1788 First ever
The armed tender HMS Supply, the first ship of the First Fleet, arrived at Botany Bay, Australia.
Read more →Source: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0
- 1896 First ever
An X-ray generating machine is exhibited for the first time by H. L. Smith.
Read more →Source: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0
Hall of Fame headlines are manually verified clippings (source linked); nothing is scraped from Newspapers.com. Facts from Wikipedia On This Day API (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Wikimedia. Clippings from the Library of Congress, Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers site.
Pick another date or enter your birthday (day + month only)
Viewing 18 January — today is 12 October.
Born on this day
3
1882Birth
A.A. Milne born
A.A. Milne was born. English author of Winnie the Pooh.
1955Birth
Kevin Costner born
Kevin Costner was born. American actor.
1980Birth
Jason Segel born
Jason Segel was born. American actor.
Died on this day
17 in the archiveFive infamous ends — executed, assassinated or murdered — drawn at random from the archive. All infamous ends →
Assassinated
1865Death
Abraham Lincoln dies
Abraham Lincoln, politician, died on this day in 1865. Assassinated by John Wilkes Booth. Remembered as: 16th President of the US, led the nation during the Civil War.
Suicide
2014Death
Robin Williams dies
Robin Williams, actor and comedian, died on this day in 2014. Suicide. Remembered as: Known for his improvisational skills and wide variety of roles.
Assassinated
44 BCDeath
Julius Caesar dies
Julius Caesar, roman general/statesman, died on this day in 44 BC. Assassinated by Roman senators. Remembered as: Critical role in the demise of the Roman Republic.
Suicide
1962Death
Marilyn Monroe dies
Marilyn Monroe, actress and model, died on this day in 1962. Barbiturate overdose. Remembered as: Iconic actress and sex symbol of the 1950s and 1960s.
Executed
1793Death
Death of Louis XVI
King Louis XVI of France was executed by guillotine in Paris during French Revolution.
Famous birthdays
22 this weekToday · 18 January
- Jason SegelAmerican actor, writer (born 1980)Born 1980 · 46 years ago today
- Kevin CostnerAmerican actor and filmmaker (born 1955)Born 1955 · 71 years ago today
- A.A. MilneEnglish writer (1882–1956)Born 1882 · 144 years ago today
Coming up this week
Mac MillerAmerican rapper (1992–2018)19 January · born 1992
Dolly PartonAmerican singer-songwriter (1946–2026)19 January · born 1946
Edgar Allan PoeAmerican writer and critic (1809–1849)19 January · born 1809
Rainn WilsonAmerican actor (born 1966)20 January · born 1966
David LynchAmerican filmmaker (1946–2025)20 January · born 1946
Buzz AldrinAmerican astronaut (born 1930)20 January · born 1930
Celebration18 January
Thesaurus Day
Honors Peter Mark Roget, author of the first modern thesaurus, born on this day.
Music · No.1 on this day
What was topping the charts
The official No.1 singles and albums in the UK and the USA on this date, decade by decade.
2016 10 yrs ago
2006 20 yrs ago
1996 30 yrs ago
1986 40 yrs ago
1976 50 yrs ago
1966 60 yrs ago
1956 70 yrs ago
Sport on this day
0Finals, medals and records decided on 18 January.
No recorded sporting finals on this date yet.
Sporting almanac
Who was champion, 10, 25 and 50 years ago
World Cups, Olympics, Wimbledon, the Masters, Super Bowl and more — year by year since 1877.
2016 10 yrs ago
- Olympic GamesSummer Olympics in Rio
- WimbledonAndy Murray and Serena Williams win Wimbledon
- Super BowlDenver Broncos win Super Bowl 50
- Tour de FranceChris Froome wins the Tour de France
- The MastersDanny Willett wins the Masters
- World SeriesChicago Cubs win the World Series
2001 25 yrs ago
- WimbledonGoran Ivanisevic and Venus Williams win Wimbledon
- Super BowlBaltimore Ravens win Super Bowl XXXV
- The MastersTiger Woods wins the Masters
- World SeriesArizona Diamondbacks win the World Series
- NBA FinalsLos Angeles Lakers win the NBA Finals
- Stanley CupColorado Avalanche win the Stanley Cup
1976 50 yrs ago
- Olympic GamesSummer Olympics in Montreal
- Olympic GamesWinter Olympics in Innsbruck
- WimbledonBjorn Borg and Chris Evert win Wimbledon
- Super BowlPittsburgh Steelers win Super Bowl X
- Tour de FranceLucien Van Impe wins the Tour de France
- The MastersRaymond Floyd wins the Masters
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