December 18 holds a unique place in the annals of history, marked by a spectrum of significant events. From groundbreaking discoveries to pivotal battles, this date has shaped the course of human experience in unexpected ways. Notable figures were born, and others left lasting legacies on this day. What specific moments defined December 18 across the centuries? Uncover the stories that continue to resonate through time.
History
Major Historical Events
1912 – Discovery of the Piltdown Man: In East Sussex, England, amateur archaeologist Charles Dawson announced the discovery of fossil remains dubbed the “Piltdown Man,” believed to be a missing link between apes and humans.
Though initially celebrated, it was later revealed in 1953 to be a hoax, composed of a human skull and an orangutan jawbone.
1916 – End of the Battle of Verdun: The longest battle of World War I concluded after ten months of brutal fighting between French and German forces in Verdun, France.
With over 700,000 casualties, it became a symbol of the war’s devastating attrition and human cost.
1966 – Discovery of Epimetheus: Astronomer Richard Walker observed Epimetheus, a moon of Saturn, during a series of observations.
Though its discovery was not officially confirmed until later due to confusion with another moon, Janus, this marked an important step in understanding Saturn’s complex satellite system.
1999 – Launch of Terra Satellite: NASA successfully launched the Terra satellite, the flagship of the Earth Observing System, to monitor Earth’s climate and environmental changes.
It has since provided critical data on global warming, deforestation, and natural disasters.
2019 – Impeachment of Donald Trump: The U.S. House of Representatives voted to impeach President Donald Trump on charges of abuse of power and obstruction of Congress related to his dealings with Ukraine.
He became the third U.S. president to be impeached, though he was later acquitted by the Senate.
Famous Birthdays
1878 – Joseph Stalin: The Soviet leader and dictator, born Ioseb Besarionis dze Jughashvili in Gori, Georgia, rose to power as General Secretary of the Communist Party.
He ruled the Soviet Union with an iron fist from the mid-1920s until his death in 1953, overseeing rapid industrialization and brutal purges.
1913 – Willy Brandt: Born in Germany as Herbert Ernst Karl Frahm, Brandt became a prominent politician and Chancellor of West Germany from 1969 to 1974.
He is best known for his policy of Ostpolitik, which sought reconciliation with Eastern Europe during the Cold War, earning him the Nobel Peace Prize in 1971.
1943 – Keith Richards: The legendary guitarist and co-founder of The Rolling Stones was born in Dartford, England.
Known for his iconic riffs and enduring partnership with Mick Jagger, Richards has been a defining figure in rock music for over six decades.
1980 – Christina Aguilera: Born in Staten Island, New York, this pop icon and singer-songwriter burst onto the scene with her self-titled debut album in 1999.
With a powerful voice and hits like “Genie in a Bottle,” she has won multiple Grammy Awards and remains a major influence in pop music.
1987 – Miki Ando: This Japanese figure skater, born in Nagoya, became a two-time World Champion.
She was the first woman to land a quadruple jump in competition, and her achievements have made her a celebrated figure in the sport of figure skating.
Notable Deaths
1290 – Magnus III of Sweden: The Swedish king, also known as Magnus Ladulås, died on this date after reigning since 1275.
His rule was marked by efforts to consolidate power and establish feudal structures in Sweden, earning him the nickname “Barnlock” for protecting peasant rights.
1737 – Antonio Stradivari: The renowned Italian luthier, famous for crafting some of the world’s finest violins, passed away in Cremona, Italy.
His instruments, known as Stradivarius violins, remain unparalleled in quality and are highly sought after by musicians today.
1997 – Chris Farley: The American comedian and actor, known for his energetic performances on “Saturday Night Live” and in films like “Tommy Boy,” tragically died of a drug overdose in Chicago at the age of 33.
This cut short a promising career in comedy.
2016 – Zsa Zsa Gabor: The Hungarian-American actress and socialite, famous for her glamorous persona, numerous marriages, and roles in films like “Moulin Rouge” (1952), passed away in Los Angeles at the age of 99.
She left behind a legacy of Hollywood charm.
Today in Music History
1962 – The Beatles’ First TV Appearance in the UK: The Beatles performed live on the British television show “People and Places,” marking one of their earliest televised appearances.
Filmed in Manchester, they played “Love Me Do,” introducing their music to a wider audience.
1971 – Sly and the Family Stone Hit No. 1: The band’s album “There’s a Riot Goin’ On” reached the top of the Billboard 200 chart, showcasing their innovative blend of funk, soul, and rock.
The album reflected the social tensions of the era and remains a landmark in music history.
1983 – Keith Richards Marries Patti Hansen: Rolling Stones guitarist Keith Richards tied the knot with model Patti Hansen on his 40th birthday in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico.
The couple has remained together, becoming one of rock’s enduring partnerships.
Today in Sports History
1898 – First Automobile Speed Record: French driver Gaston de Chasseloup-Laubat set the world’s first official land speed record for an automobile, reaching 39.24 mph (63.13 km/h) in an electric vehicle near Paris.
This marked the beginning of competitive speed racing.
1976 – Wonder Woman Debuts on TV: While not a traditional sports event, the premiere of “Wonder Woman” starring Lynda Carter on ABC introduced a cultural icon.
Her physical feats and strength inspired generations, blending athleticism with superhero lore.
2010 – Inter Milan Wins FIFA Club World Cup: Inter Milan defeated TP Mazembe from the Democratic Republic of Congo 3-0 in Abu Dhabi to claim the FIFA Club World Cup.
This cemented their status as one of the top club teams in the world that year.
Today in Military and Naval History
1271 – Kublai Khan Renames His Empire: On this date, Kublai Khan, grandson of Genghis Khan, officially named his empire “Yuan,” marking the beginning of the Yuan Dynasty in China.
His military campaigns expanded Mongol control over much of East Asia.
1916 – Battle of Verdun Ends: As mentioned earlier, this grueling World War I battle between French and German forces concluded after nearly a year of fighting.
It remains one of the deadliest battles in military history, with massive casualties on both sides.
1944 – Battle of the Bulge Continues: During World War II, the German offensive in the Ardennes region of Belgium, known as the Battle of the Bulge, saw intense fighting on this date.
American forces faced severe challenges but ultimately held key positions against the surprise attack.
Today in Tech and Science History
1958 – First Communications Satellite Launched: Project SCORE (Signal Communication by Orbiting Relay Equipment) was launched by the United States, becoming the world’s first communications satellite.
It broadcast a pre-recorded Christmas message from President Dwight D. Eisenhower.
1966 – Epimetheus Moon Sighted: As noted earlier, astronomer Richard Walker observed Epimetheus, a moon of Saturn, contributing to our understanding of the planet’s satellite system.
Though confirmation took additional time due to overlapping observations with Janus.
1999 – Terra Satellite Launch: NASA’s Terra satellite, launched on this day, began its mission to study Earth’s climate and environmental systems.
It has provided invaluable data for scientists studying global environmental changes over the subsequent decades.
Today in Art, Literature, and Culture
1666 – First Performance of Molière’s “Le Misanthrope”: The famous French playwright Molière saw his satirical comedy “Le Misanthrope” performed for the first time in Paris.
Though some sources debate the exact date, the play critiques social hypocrisy and remains a classic of French theater.
1892 – Premiere of Tchaikovsky’s “The Nutcracker”: Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s beloved ballet “The Nutcracker” premiered at the Mariinsky Theatre in Saint Petersburg, Russia.
Though initially receiving mixed reviews, it has since become a holiday staple worldwide.
1957 – Release of “The Bridge on the River Kwai”: The epic war film directed by David Lean premiered in the UK, telling the story of British POWs forced to build a bridge during World War II.
It won seven Academy Awards, including Best Picture.
1976 – “Wonder Woman” TV Premiere: As mentioned in sports history, the iconic superhero series starring Lynda Carter debuted on ABC.
It shaped pop culture with its portrayal of a strong female lead and influenced generations of viewers.
Funny & Weird Historical Facts
1917 – The Great Toilet Paper Shortage Hoax: A fabricated rumor about a toilet paper shortage in the United States, sparked by a misreported government order during World War I, led to panic buying on this date.
It’s an early example of how misinformation can cause public frenzy.
1972 – A Chicken Survives 18 Months Without a Head: Though the event began earlier, on this date in history, reports circulated about “Mike the Headless Chicken,” who famously survived a botched beheading in 1945 for over a year.
The story resurfaced as a quirky historical oddity.
1985 – A Santa Claus Bank Robbery: In Cisco, Texas, a man dressed as Santa Claus attempted to rob a bank on this date in 1927, leading to a deadly shootout.
The bizarre incident became known as the “Santa Claus Bank Robbery” and remains a strange footnote in crime history.
Today in History for Kids
1892 – The Nutcracker’s Magical Debut: Kids, imagine a theater full of excited people watching toy soldiers and sugar plum fairies dance for the first time!
On this day, “The Nutcracker” ballet premiered in Russia, and now it’s a holiday favorite all over the world.
1958 – A Satellite Says Merry Christmas: Long ago, before the internet, a tiny machine called a satellite was sent into space by the United States.
On this day, it played a Christmas message from the president, making it the first time a voice was sent from space to Earth!
1976 – Wonder Woman Saves the Day on TV: A super-strong hero named Wonder Woman, played by Lynda Carter, appeared on TV for the first time on this date.
She showed everyone that girls can be just as powerful as boys with her amazing strength and courage.
1999 – A Space Eye Watches Earth: NASA sent up a special satellite called Terra on this day to keep an eye on our planet.
It helps scientists learn how to take care of Earth by watching the weather, forests, and oceans from way up in space.
Today in History Trivia & Interesting Facts
Did You Know? Oldest Known Christmas Broadcast: The first voice broadcast from space, sent via the SCORE satellite on this day in 1958, was a Christmas message from President Eisenhower, wishing “peace on Earth and goodwill toward men everywhere.”
Did You Know? A Ballet’s Slow Start: When “The Nutcracker” premiered on this day in 1892, many people didn’t like it at first.
It wasn’t until years later, especially after being shown on TV in the 1950s, that it became a holiday classic loved by millions.
Did You Know? A Guitarist’s Wedding Day: Keith Richards, the rockstar from The Rolling Stones, didn’t just celebrate his birthday on December 18—he also got married on this day in 1983, making it a double celebration for him.
Did You Know? A Hoax That Fooled Scientists: The Piltdown Man, announced on this day in 1912, was thought to be a huge discovery about human evolution.
It took over 40 years for scientists to figure out it was a fake made from mixed-up bones!