1918Birth
Nelson Mandela born
Nelson Mandela, politician and activist, was born on this day in 1918. Anti-apartheid revolutionary, 1st President of South Africa.
Tuesday 13 October 2026
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She wore a towering wig to house her pets and refused all guests before 4pm.
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Nelson Mandela1918
18 July in history
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What happened on this day · Odd history for today
Vintage News — July 18
1870 First everThe First Vatican Council decrees the dogma of papal infallibility.
Read more →Source: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0
1841 Oddly truePedro II, the last emperor of Brazil, was crowned at the Old Cathedral of Rio de Janeiro.
Read more →Source: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0
1334 First everThe bishop of Florence blesses the first foundation stone for the new campanile (bell tower) of the Florence Cathedral, designed by the artist Giotto di Bondone.
Read more →Source: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0
1863 First everAmerican Civil War: Led by Colonel Robert Gould Shaw, the 54th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment, one of the first African-American military units in the Union Army, spearheaded an assault (pictured) on Fort Wagner, South Carolina.
Read more →Source: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0
1723 First everJohann Sebastian Bach directed the first performance of his cantata Erforsche mich, Gott, und erfahre mein Herz in Leipzig.
Read more →Source: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0
From The Guardian Archives — On This Day
2024The GuardianUkraine war briefing: Attack on Russian bases in CrimeaCommand centre and ammunition depot hit, says Ukrainian defence source; Ukraine’s army confirms pullout from Urozhain…
Read on The Guardian →
2014The GuardianFirst Night of the Proms review – Elgar's The KingdomRoyal Albert Hall, LondonPerhaps a little subdued for the opening night, but sumptuous choral work is fine farewell f…
Read on The Guardian →- 1887The New York Times · Front pageSHOT BY AN EX-CONVICT.
CHICAGO, July 17.--Detective William S. Halloran was fatally shot last night by an ex-convict named "Mike" Lynch, who…
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.
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Viewing 18 July — today is 13 October.
Born on this day
1Died on this day
17 in the archiveFive infamous ends — executed, assassinated or murdered — drawn at random from the archive. All infamous ends →
Accident
1997Death
Diana, Princess of Wales dies
Diana, Princess of Wales, member of british royal family, died on this day in 1997. Car crash in Paris. Remembered as: Global humanitarian and celebrated royal figure.
Suicide
1890Death
Vincent van Gogh dies
Vincent van Gogh, painter, died on this day in 1890. Suicide by gunshot. Remembered as: Post-Impressionist whose work deeply influenced 20th-century art.
Assassinated
1968Death
Martin Luther King Jr. dies
Martin Luther King Jr., civil rights leader, died on this day in 1968. Assassinated in Memphis. Remembered as: Prominent leader in the American civil rights movement.
Assassinated
1980Death
John Lennon dies
John Lennon, musician, died on this day in 1980. Assassinated in New York City. Remembered as: Co-lead vocalist and founder of The Beatles.
Executed
1793Death
Death of Louis XVI
King Louis XVI of France was executed by guillotine in Paris during French Revolution.
Famous birthdays
2 this weekToday · 18 July
- Nelson MandelaPresident of South Africa from 1994 to 1999Born 1918 · 108 years ago today
Coming up this week
Robin WilliamsAmerican actor and comedian (1951–2014)21 July · born 1951
Celebration18 July
Nelson Mandela International Day
Encourages community service in honor of the South African anti-apartheid leader's legacy.
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 July.
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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