2019
A redacted version of the Mueller report is released to the United States Congress and the public
A redacted version of the Mueller report is released to the United States Congress and the public.
April 18
in historyExplore historical events, births, deaths and holidays that happened on this day.
2018
King Mswati III of Swaziland announces that his country's name will change to Eswatini
King Mswati III of Swaziland announces that his country's name will change to Eswatini.
1996
The Israeli military commits the Qana massacre in a deliberate shelling of a United Nations compound near the village of
The Israeli military commits the Qana massacre in a deliberate shelling of a United Nations compound near the village of Qana in southern Lebanon, killing 106 Lebanese civilians w…
1988
The United States launches Operation Praying Mantis against Iranian naval forces in the largest naval battle since World
The United States launches Operation Praying Mantis against Iranian naval forces in the largest naval battle since World War II.
1988
In Israel John Demjanjuk is sentenced to death for war crimes committed in World War II, although the verdict is later o
In Israel John Demjanjuk is sentenced to death for war crimes committed in World War II, although the verdict is later overturned.
1980
The Republic of Zimbabwe (formerly Rhodesia) comes into being, with Canaan Banana as the country's first President
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 offi…
1980
The town of Elmore City, Oklahoma holds its first dance in the town's history
The town of Elmore City, Oklahoma holds its first dance in the town's history.
1972
East African Airways Flight 720 crashes during a rejected takeoff from Addis Ababa Bole International Airport in Addis A
East African Airways Flight 720 crashes during a rejected takeoff from Addis Ababa Bole International Airport in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, killing 43.
1955
Twenty-nine nations meet at Bandung, Indonesia, for the first Asian-African Conference
Twenty-nine nations meet at Bandung, Indonesia, for the first Asian-African Conference.
1949
The Republic of Ireland Act comes into force, declaring Éire to be a republic and severing Ireland's "association" with
The Republic of Ireland Act comes into force, declaring Éire to be a republic and severing Ireland's "association" with the Commonwealth of Nations.
1947
The Operation Big Bang, the largest non-nuclear man-made explosion to that time, destroys bunkers and military installat
The Operation Big Bang, the largest non-nuclear man-made explosion to that time, destroys bunkers and military installations on the North Sea island of Heligoland, Germany.
1946
The International Court of Justice holds its inaugural meeting in The Hague, Netherlands
The International Court of Justice holds its inaugural meeting in The Hague, Netherlands.
1946
Jackie Robinson makes his regular season debut for the Montreal Royals of the International League, to make them the fir
Jackie Robinson makes his regular season debut for the Montreal Royals of the International League, to make them the first integrated modern professional baseball team.
1945
World War II: Over 1,000 bombers attack the small island of Heligoland, Germany
World War II: Over 1,000 bombers attack the small island of Heligoland, Germany.
1945
Italian resistance movement: In Turin, despite the harsh repressive measures adopted by Nazi-fascists, a great pre-insur
Italian resistance movement: In Turin, despite the harsh repressive measures adopted by Nazi-fascists, a great pre-insurrectional strike begins.
1943
World War II: Operation Vengeance, Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto is killed when his aircraft is shot down by U
World War II: Operation Vengeance, Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto is killed when his aircraft is shot down by U.S. fighters over Bougainville Island.
1942
World War II: The Doolittle Raid on Japan: Tokyo, Yokohama, Kobe and Nagoya are bombed
World War II: The Doolittle Raid on Japan: Tokyo, Yokohama, Kobe and Nagoya are bombed.
1942
Pierre Laval becomes Prime Minister of Vichy France
Pierre Laval becomes Prime Minister of Vichy France.
1939
Robert Menzies, who became Australia's longest-serving prime minister, is elected as leader of the United Australia Part
Robert Menzies, who became Australia's longest-serving prime minister, is elected as leader of the United Australia Party after the death of Prime Minister Joseph Lyons.
1938
Superman debuts in Action Comics #1 (cover dated June 1938)
Superman debuts in Action Comics #1 (cover dated June 1938).
1930
A fire kills 118 people at a wooden church in the small Romanian town of Costești, most of them schoolchildren, after st
A fire kills 118 people at a wooden church in the small Romanian town of Costești, most of them schoolchildren, after starting during Good Friday services.
1916
World War I: During a mine warfare in high altitude on the Dolomites, the Italian troops conquer the Col di Lana held by
World War I: During a mine warfare in high altitude on the Dolomites, the Italian troops conquer the Col di Lana held by the Austrian army.
1915
World War I: French pilot Roland Garros is shot down and glides to a landing on the German side of the lines
World War I: French pilot Roland Garros is shot down and glides to a landing on the German side of the lines.
1912
The Cunard liner RMS Carpathia brings 705 survivors from the RMS Titanic to New York City
The Cunard liner RMS Carpathia brings 705 survivors from the RMS Titanic to New York City.
1906
The 7
The 7.9 Mw earthquake and fire destroy much of San Francisco, California, killing more than 3,000 people, making one of the worst natural disasters in American history.
1902
The 7
The 7.5 Mw Guatemala earthquake shakes Guatemala with a maximum Mercalli intensity of VIII (Severe), killing between 800 and 2,000.
1897
The Greco-Turkish War is declared between Greece and the Ottoman Empire
The Greco-Turkish War is declared between Greece and the Ottoman Empire.
1864
Battle of Dybbøl: A Prussian-Austrian army defeats Denmark and gains control of Schleswig
Battle of Dybbøl: A Prussian-Austrian army defeats Denmark and gains control of Schleswig. Denmark surrenders the province in the following peace settlement.
1857
"The Spirits Book" by Allan Kardec is published, marking the birth of Spiritualism in France
"The Spirits Book" by Allan Kardec is published, marking the birth of Spiritualism in France.
1847
American victory at the battle of Cerro Gordo opens the way for invasion of Mexico
American victory at the battle of Cerro Gordo opens the way for invasion of Mexico.
1831
The University of Alabama is founded in Tuscaloosa, Alabama
The University of Alabama is founded in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.
1797
War of the First Coalition: The Peace of Leoben is signed by Napoleon Bonaparte and Maximilian, Count of Merveldt, creat
War of the First Coalition: The Peace of Leoben is signed by Napoleon Bonaparte and Maximilian, Count of Merveldt, creating an armistice between France and Austria, setting the st…
1783
Three-Fifths Compromise: The first instance of black slaves in the United States of America being counted as three-fifth
Three-Fifths Compromise: The first instance of black slaves in the United States of America being counted as three-fifths of persons (for the purpose of taxation), in a resolution…
1775
American Revolution: The British Army advances up the Charles River in Massachusetts to destroy supplies of American mil
American Revolution: The British Army advances up the Charles River in Massachusetts to destroy supplies of American militias, while Paul Revere and other riders rapidly warn the …
1738
Real Academia de la Historia ("Royal Academy of History") is founded in Madrid
Real Academia de la Historia ("Royal Academy of History") is founded in Madrid.
1689
Bostonians rise up in rebellion against Sir Edmund Andros
Bostonians rise up in rebellion against Sir Edmund Andros.
1521
Trial of Martin Luther begins its second day during the assembly of the Diet of Worms
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.
1518
Bona Sforza is crowned as queen consort of Poland
Bona Sforza is crowned as queen consort of Poland.
1428
Peace of Ferrara between Republic of Venice, Duchy of Milan, Republic of Florence and House of Gonzaga: ending of the se
Peace of Ferrara between Republic of Venice, Duchy of Milan, Republic of Florence and House of Gonzaga: ending of the second campaign of the Wars in Lombardy fought until the Trea…
796
King Æthelred I of Northumbria is murdered in Corbridge by a group led by his ealdormen, Ealdred and Wada
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.