On This Day — April 18

Famous events, births, and deaths from April 18 in history, plus the public holidays, religious observances, sports, and national days happening on this date today.

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37 events · 221 births · 82 deaths recorded for April 18.

🕰️ Notable Events on April 18

2013 — A suicide bombing in a Baghdad cafe kills 27 people and injures another 65. Wikipedia ↗
2007 — A series of bombings, two of them being suicides, occur in Baghdad, killing 198 and injuring 251. Wikipedia ↗
1996 — In Lebanon, at least 106 civilians are killed when the Israel Defense Forces shell the United Nations compound at Quana where more than 800 civilians had taken refuge. Wikipedia ↗
1992 — General Abdul Rashid Dostum revolts against President Mohammad Najibullah of the Democratic Republic of Afghanistan and allies with Ahmad Shah Massoud to capture Kabul. Wikipedia ↗
1988 — The United States launches Operation Praying Mantis against Iranian naval forces in the largest naval battle since World War II. Wikipedia ↗
1983 — A suicide bomber in Lebanon destroys the United States embassy in Beirut, killing 63 people. Wikipedia ↗
1980 — The Republic of Zimbabwe (formerly Rhodesia) comes into being, with Canaan Banana as the country's first President. The Zimbabwean dollar replaces the Rhodesian dollar as the official currency. Wikipedia ↗
1955 — Twenty-nine nations meet at Bandung, Indonesia, for the first Asian-African Conference. Wikipedia ↗
1954 — Gamal Abdel Nasser seizes power in Egypt. Wikipedia ↗
1949 — Ireland leaves the British Commonwealth and becomes the Republic of Ireland. Wikipedia ↗
1949 — The keel for the aircraft carrier USS United States is laid down at Newport News Drydock and Shipbuilding. However, construction is canceled five days later, resulting in the Revolt of the Admirals. Wikipedia ↗
1946 — The International Court of Justice holds its inaugural meeting in The Hague, Netherlands. Wikipedia ↗
1945 — Over 1,000 bombers attack the small island of Heligoland, Germany. Wikipedia ↗
1943 — World War II: Operation Vengeance, Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto is killed when his aircraft is shot down by U.S. fighters over Bougainville Island. Wikipedia ↗
1942 — World War II: The Doolittle Raid on Japan: Tokyo, Yokohama, Kobe and Nagoya are bombed. Wikipedia ↗
1942 — Pierre Laval becomes Prime Minister of Vichy France. Wikipedia ↗
1923 — Yankee Stadium: "The House that Ruth Built" opens. Wikipedia ↗
1915 — French pilot Roland Garros is shot down and glides to a landing on the German side of the lines during World War I. Wikipedia ↗
1912 — The Cunard liner RMS Carpathia brings 705 survivors from the RMS Titanic to New York City. Wikipedia ↗
1909 — Joan of Arc is beatified in Rome. Wikipedia ↗
1906 — An earthquake and fire destroy much of San Francisco, California. Wikipedia ↗
1902 — The 7.5 Mw Guatemala earthquake shakes Guatemala with a maximum Mercalli intensity of VIII (Severe), killing between 800-2,000. Wikipedia ↗
1899 — The St. Andrew's Ambulance Association is granted a royal charter by Queen Victoria. Wikipedia ↗
1897 — The Greco-Turkish War is declared between Greece and the Ottoman Empire. Wikipedia ↗
1864 — Battle of Dybbøl: A Prussian-Austrian army defeats Denmark and gains control of Schleswig. Denmark surrenders the province in the following peace settlement. Wikipedia ↗
1857 — "The Spirits Book" by Allan Kardec is published, marking the birth of Spiritualism in France. Wikipedia ↗
1847 — American victory at the battle of Cerro Gordo opens the way for invasion of Mexico. Wikipedia ↗
1831 — The University of Alabama is founded in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Wikipedia ↗
1775 — American Revolution: The British advancement by sea begins; Paul Revere and other riders warn the countryside of the troop movements. Wikipedia ↗
1738 — Real Academia de la Historia ("Royal Academy of History") is founded in Madrid. Wikipedia ↗
1689 — Bostonians rise up in rebellion against Sir Edmund Andros. Wikipedia ↗
1521 — Trial of Martin Luther begins its second day during the assembly of the Diet of Worms. He refuses to recant his teachings despite the risk of excommunication. Wikipedia ↗
1518 — Bona Sforza is crowned as queen consort of Poland. Wikipedia ↗
1506 — The cornerstone of the current St. Peter's Basilica is laid. Wikipedia ↗
1232 — The Spanish town of Arjona declares independence and names its native Muhammad ibn Yusuf as ruler. This marks the Muhammad's first rise to prominence; he would later establish the Nasrid Emirate of Granada, the last independent Muslim state in Spain. Wikipedia ↗
1025 — Bolesław Chrobry is crowned in Gniezno, becoming the first King of Poland. Wikipedia ↗
796 — King Æthelred I of Northumbria is murdered in Corbridge by a group led by his ealdormen, Ealdred and Wada. The patrician Osbald is crowned, but abdicates within 27 days. Wikipedia ↗

🎂 Notable Births on April 18

1997 — Matthias Blübaum, German chess grandmaster Wikipedia ↗
1996 — Mariah Bell, American figure skater Wikipedia ↗
1996 — Ioana Ducu, Romanian tennis player Wikipedia ↗
1995 — Divock Origi, Belgian footballer Wikipedia ↗
1993 — Matt Salisbury, English cricketer Wikipedia ↗
1993 — Nathan Sykes, English singer-songwriter Wikipedia ↗
1990 — Henderson Álvarez, Venezuelan baseball player Wikipedia ↗
1990 — Anna van der Breggen, Dutch cyclist Wikipedia ↗
1990 — Jake Howells, English footballer Wikipedia ↗
1990 — Wojciech Szczęsny, Polish footballer Wikipedia ↗
1990 — Junior Torunarigha, Nigerian footballer Wikipedia ↗
1989 — Simas Buterlevičius, Lithuanian basketball player Wikipedia ↗
1988 — Andre Frolov, Estonian footballer Wikipedia ↗
1988 — Alexander Hauck, South African-German rugby player Wikipedia ↗
1987 — Brett Deledio, Australian footballer Wikipedia ↗
1987 — Danny Guthrie, English footballer Wikipedia ↗
1987 — Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, English model and actress Wikipedia ↗
1987 — Samantha Jade, Australian singer-songwriter and actress Wikipedia ↗
1987 — Ivan Tričkovski, Macedonian footballer Wikipedia ↗
1986 — Billy Butler, American baseball player Wikipedia ↗
1986 — Maurice Edu, American soccer player Wikipedia ↗
1986 — Taylor Griffin, American basketball player Wikipedia ↗
1986 — Conrad Logan, Irish footballer Wikipedia ↗
1986 — Efraín Velarde, Mexican footballer Wikipedia ↗
1985 — Łukasz Fabiański, Polish footballer Wikipedia ↗
1984 — Red Bryant, American football player Wikipedia ↗
1984 — America Ferrera, American actress and producer Wikipedia ↗
1983 — Miguel Cabrera, Venezuelan baseball player Wikipedia ↗
1983 — Reeve Carney, American singer-songwriter, guitarist, and actor Wikipedia ↗
1982 — Ibrahim al-Asiri, Saudi Arabian terrorist Wikipedia ↗
1982 — Greg Camarillo, American football player Wikipedia ↗
1982 — Ricardo Colclough, Canadian-American football player Wikipedia ↗
1982 — Simone Farina, Italian footballer Wikipedia ↗
1982 — Scott Hartnell, Canadian ice hockey player Wikipedia ↗
1982 — Blair Late, American singer-songwriter and journalist Wikipedia ↗
1982 — Darren Sutherland, Irish boxer (d. 2009) Wikipedia ↗
1982 — Marie-Élaine Thibert, Canadian singer Wikipedia ↗
1981 — Brian Buscher, American baseball player Wikipedia ↗
1981 — Milan Jovanović, Serbian footballer Wikipedia ↗
1981 — Aldo Ramírez, Colombian footballer Wikipedia ↗
1981 — Audrey Tang, Taiwanese computer scientist and academic Wikipedia ↗
1980 — Rabiu Afolabi, Nigerian footballer and manager Wikipedia ↗
1980 — Justin Levens, American mixed martial artist (d. 2008) Wikipedia ↗
1980 — Robyn Regehr, Canadian ice hockey player Wikipedia ↗
1979 — Michael Bradley, American basketball player and coach Wikipedia ↗
1979 — Ethan Cohn, American actor Wikipedia ↗
1979 — Matt Cooper, Australian rugby league player Wikipedia ↗
1979 — Anthony Davidson, English race car driver Wikipedia ↗
1979 — Kourtney Kardashian, American model and businesswoman Wikipedia ↗
1977 — Dan LaCouture, American ice hockey player Wikipedia ↗
1977 — Cindy Taylor, Paraguayan model and actress Wikipedia ↗
1976 — Gavin Creel, American actor and singer Wikipedia ↗
1976 — Melissa Joan Hart, American actress, director, and producer Wikipedia ↗
1976 — Andrew Ilie, Romanian-Australian tennis player Wikipedia ↗
1976 — Justin Ross, American politician Wikipedia ↗
1976 — Staffan Strand, Swedish high jumper Wikipedia ↗
1974 — Millie Corretjer, Puerto Rican-American actress and singer Wikipedia ↗
1974 — Mark Tremonti, American singer-songwriter, guitarist, and producer Wikipedia ↗
1973 — Derrick Brooks, American football player Wikipedia ↗
1973 — Brady Clark, American baseball player Wikipedia ↗
1973 — Haile Gebrselassie, Ethiopian runner Wikipedia ↗
1972 — Rosa Clemente, American journalist and activist Wikipedia ↗
1972 — Eli Roth, American actor, director, producer, and screenwriter Wikipedia ↗
1972 — Michael Rutter, English motorcycle racer Wikipedia ↗
1971 — Oleg Petrov, Russian ice hockey player Wikipedia ↗
1971 — Graham Rowntree, English rugby player Wikipedia ↗
1971 — David Tennant, Scottish actor Wikipedia ↗
1970 — Rico Brogna, American baseball player and coach Wikipedia ↗
1970 — Greg Eklund, American drummer and guitarist Wikipedia ↗
1970 — Saad Hariri, Saudi Arabian-Lebanese businessman and politician, 66th Prime Minister of Lebanon Wikipedia ↗
1970 — François Leroux, Canadian ice hockey player and radio host Wikipedia ↗
1970 — Tatiana Stefanidou, Greek journalist and talk show host Wikipedia ↗
1969 — Keith DeCandido, American author Wikipedia ↗
1969 — Stefan Schwarz, Swedish footballer and manager Wikipedia ↗
1969 — Robert Změlík, Czech decathlete Wikipedia ↗
1967 — Maria Bello, American actress and writer Wikipedia ↗
1966 — Valeri Kamensky, Russian ice hockey player Wikipedia ↗
1964 — Niall Ferguson, Scottish historian and academic Wikipedia ↗
1964 — Rithy Panh, Cambodian director and screenwriter Wikipedia ↗
1963 — Eric McCormack, Canadian-American actor and producer Wikipedia ↗
1963 — Conan O'Brien, American actor, producer, screenwriter, and talk show host Wikipedia ↗
1963 — Phil Simmons, Trinidadian cricketer Wikipedia ↗
1963 — Peter Van Loan, Canadian lawyer and politician, 16th Canadian Minister of International Trade Wikipedia ↗
1962 — Jeff Dunham, American comedian and ventriloquist Wikipedia ↗
1962 — Nick Farr-Jones, Australian rugby player and sportscaster Wikipedia ↗
1961 — Kelly Hansen, American singer-songwriter Wikipedia ↗
1961 — Jane Leeves, English actress and dancer Wikipedia ↗
1961 — John Podhoretz, American journalist and author Wikipedia ↗
1960 — Yelena Zhupiyeva-Vyazova, Ukrainian runner Wikipedia ↗
1959 — Susan Faludi, American journalist and author Wikipedia ↗
1959 — Frank Mulholland, Lord Mulholland, Scottish judge, former Solicitor General for Scotland and Lord Advocate Wikipedia ↗
1958 — Lisa Edwards, Australian singer Wikipedia ↗
1958 — Malcolm Marshall, Barbadian cricketer and coach (d. 1999) Wikipedia ↗
1957 — Ian Campbell, Australian jumper Wikipedia ↗
1956 — Eric Roberts, American actor Wikipedia ↗
1954 — Robert Greenberg, American pianist and composer Wikipedia ↗
1953 — Rick Moranis, Canadian-American actor, comedian, singer and screenwriter Wikipedia ↗
1951 — Ricardo Fortaleza, Australian-Filipino boxer and coach Wikipedia ↗
1951 — Pierre Pettigrew, Canadian businessman and politician, 5th Canadian Minister of Foreign Affairs Wikipedia ↗
1950 — Paul Callery, Australian footballer Wikipedia ↗
1950 — Tina Chow, American model and jewelry designer (d. 1992) Wikipedia ↗
1950 — Kenny Ortega, American director, producer, and choreographer Wikipedia ↗
1950 — Grigory Sokolov, Russian pianist and composer Wikipedia ↗
1949 — Geoff Bodine, American race car driver Wikipedia ↗
1948 — Régis Wargnier, French director, producer, and screenwriter Wikipedia ↗
1947 — Moses Blah, Liberian general and politician, 23rd President of Liberia (d. 2013) Wikipedia ↗
1947 — Dorothy Lyman, American actress Wikipedia ↗
1947 — Cindy Pickett, American actress Wikipedia ↗
1947 — Jerzy Stuhr, Polish actor, director, and screenwriter Wikipedia ↗
1947 — James Woods, American actor and producer Wikipedia ↗
1946 — Hayley Mills, English actress Wikipedia ↗
1946 — Tommy Shannon, American bass guitarist Wikipedia ↗
1945 — Bernard Arcand, Canadian anthropologist and author (d. 2009) Wikipedia ↗
1945 — Richard Bausch, American novelist and short story writer Wikipedia ↗
1945 — Robert Bausch, American novelist and short story writer Wikipedia ↗
1944 — Kathy Acker, American author and poet (d. 1997) Wikipedia ↗
1944 — Frances D'Souza, Baroness D'Souza, English academic and politician Wikipedia ↗
1944 — Robert Hanssen, American FBI agent and double agent Wikipedia ↗
1944 — Philip Jackson, Scottish sculptor and photographer Wikipedia ↗
1942 — Michael Beloff, English lawyer and academic Wikipedia ↗
1942 — Steve Blass, American baseball player and sportscaster Wikipedia ↗
1942 — Robert Christgau, American journalist and critic Wikipedia ↗
1942 — Jochen Rindt, German-Austrian race car driver (d. 1970) Wikipedia ↗
1941 — Michael D. Higgins, Irish sociologist and politician, 9th President of Ireland Wikipedia ↗
1940 — Joseph L. Goldstein, American biochemist and geneticist, Nobel Prize laureate Wikipedia ↗
1940 — Mike Vickers, English guitarist, saxophonist, and songwriter Wikipedia ↗
1939 — Glen Hardin, American pianist and arranger Wikipedia ↗
1939 — Thomas J. Moyer, American lawyer and judge (d. 2010) Wikipedia ↗
1937 — Jan Kaplický, Czech architect, designed the Selfridges Building (d. 2009) Wikipedia ↗
1937 — Tatyana Shchelkanova, Russian long jumper and heptathlete (d. 2011) Wikipedia ↗
1937 — Teddy Taylor, Scottish journalist and politician, Shadow Secretary of State for Scotland Wikipedia ↗
1936 — Roger Graef, American-English criminologist, director, and producer Wikipedia ↗
1936 — Vladimir Hütt, Estonian physicist and philosopher (d. 1997) Wikipedia ↗
1935 — Brian Clay, Australian rugby league player (d. 1987) Wikipedia ↗
1935 — Costas Ferris, Egyptian-Greek actor, director, producer, and screenwriter Wikipedia ↗
1934 — James Drury, American actor Wikipedia ↗
1934 — George Shirley, American tenor and educator Wikipedia ↗
1931 — Bill Miles, American director and producer (d. 2013) Wikipedia ↗
1930 — Clive Revill, New Zealand actor and singer Wikipedia ↗
1929 — Peter Hordern, English soldier and politician Wikipedia ↗
1928 — Karl Josef Becker, German cardinal and theologian (d. 2015) Wikipedia ↗
1928 — Otto Piene, German sculptor and academic (d. 2014) Wikipedia ↗
1927 — Samuel P. Huntington, American political scientist, author, and academic (d. 2008) Wikipedia ↗
1927 — Tadeusz Mazowiecki, Polish journalist and politician, Prime Minister of Poland (d. 2013) Wikipedia ↗
1927 — Charles Pasqua, French businessman and politician, French Minister of the Interior (d. 2015) Wikipedia ↗
1926 — Doug Insole, English cricketer Wikipedia ↗
1925 — Marcus Schmuck, Austrian mountaineer and author (d. 2005) Wikipedia ↗
1924 — Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown, American singer-songwriter and guitarist (d. 2005) Wikipedia ↗
1924 — Henry Hyde, American commander, lawyer, and politician (d. 2007) Wikipedia ↗
1924 — Roy Mason, English miner and politician, Secretary of State for Defence (d. 2015) Wikipedia ↗
1923 — Alfred Bieler, Swiss ice hockey player (d. 2013) Wikipedia ↗
1923 — Beryl Platt, Baroness Platt of Writtle, English engineer and politician (d. 2015) Wikipedia ↗
1922 — Barbara Hale, American actress (d. 2017) Wikipedia ↗
1922 — Lord Kitchner, Trinidadian singer (d. 2000) Wikipedia ↗
1921 — Jean Richard, French actor and singer (d. 2001) Wikipedia ↗
1920 — John F. Wiley, American football player and coach (d. 2013) Wikipedia ↗
1919 — Virginia O'Brien, American actress and singer (d. 2001) Wikipedia ↗
1919 — Esther Afua Ocloo, Ghanaian entrepreneur and pioneer of microlending (d. 2002) Wikipedia ↗
1918 — Gabriel Axel, Danish-French actor, director, and producer (d. 2014) Wikipedia ↗
1918 — André Bazin, French critic and theorist (d. 1958) Wikipedia ↗
1918 — Shinobu Hashimoto, Japanese director, producer, and screenwriter Wikipedia ↗
1918 — Clifton Hillegass, American publisher, founded CliffsNotes (d. 2001) Wikipedia ↗
1918 — Tony Mottola, American guitarist and composer (d. 2004) Wikipedia ↗