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On This Day · The 230th day of the year

August 18

A look at August 18 through the almanac — historic events, famous birthdays including Klára Dán von Neumann and Rainer Woelki, and the day's notable deaths and observances.

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Events

10 notable moments
  1. 2008

    Pervez Musharraf

    The President of Pakistan, Pervez Musharraf, resigns under threat of impeachment.

    President of Pakistan from
  2. 1983

    Hurricane Alicia

    Hurricane Alicia hits the Texas coast, killing 21 people and causing over US$1 billion in damage (1983 dollars).

    Category 3 Atlantic hurricane
  3. 1965

    Vietnam War

    Vietnam War: Operation Starlite begins: United States Marines destroy a Viet Cong stronghold on the Van Tuong peninsula in the first major American ground battle of the war.

    1955–1975 war in Southeast
  4. 1940

    World War II

    World War II: The Hardest Day air battle, part of the Battle of Britain, takes place. At that point, it is the largest aerial engagement in history with heavy losses sustained on both sides.

    1939–1945 global conflict
  5. 1937

    Blackwater Fire of 1937

    A lightning strike starts the Blackwater Fire of 1937 in Shoshone National Forest, killing 15 firefighters within three days and prompting the United States Forest Service to develop their smokejumper program.

    Fire in Shoshone National
  6. 1920

    Nineteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution

    The Nineteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution is ratified, guaranteeing women's suffrage.

    1920 amendment mandating women's
  7. 1891

    1891 Martinique hurricane

    A major hurricane strikes Martinique, leaving 700 dead.

    Category 3 Atlantic hurricane
  8. 1864

    American Civil War

    American Civil War: Battle of Globe Tavern: Union forces try to cut a vital Confederate supply-line into Petersburg, Virginia, by attacking the Wilmington and Weldon Railroad.

    1861–1865 conflict in the
  9. 1612

    Pendle witches

    The trials of the Pendle witches and Samlesbury witches, one of England's most famous witch trials, begin at the Lancaster Assizes.

    English witch hunt and
  10. 1590

    John White (colonist and artist)

    John White, the governor of the Roanoke Colony, returns from a supply trip to England and finds his settlement deserted.

    English governor of the
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Famous birthday twins

Born on August 18

Klára Dán von Neumann

b. 1911

Hungarian computer scientist and programmer

Rainer Woelki

b. 1956

German cardinal

John Debney

b. 1956

American composer and conductor

Patrick Swayze

b. 1952

American actor and dancer

Hugues Aufray

b. 1929

French singer-songwriter

Franz Joseph I

b. 1830

Emperor of Austria from 1848-1916

Antonio Salieri

b. 1750

Italian composer and conductor

Roman Polanski

b. 1933

French-Polish director, producer, screenwriter, and actor

Deaths

  • 2018Kofi Annan, Ghanaian diplomat and seventh Secretary-General of the United Nations
  • 1945Subhas Chandra Bose, Indian activist and politician
  • 1850Honoré de Balzac, French novelist and playwright
  • 1620Wanli Emperor, of China
  • 1258Theodore II Laskaris, emperor of Nicea (Byzantine emperor in exile)
  • 911AD 911, first Zaydi Imam of Yemen

Holidays & observances

  • —Christian feast day: Agapitus of Palestrina
  • —Christian feast day: Alberto Hurtado
  • —Christian feast day: Daig of Inniskeen
  • —Christian feast day: Evan (or Inan)
  • —Christian feast day: Fiacre
  • —Christian feast day: Florus and Laurus
  • —Christian feast day: Helena of Constantinople (Roman Catholic Church)
  • —Christian feast day: August 18 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics)

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