March 18 has witnessed a remarkable array of historical events, spanning political shifts, natural disasters, and cultural milestones. From Napoleon’s creation of the Kingdom of Italy in 1801 to the devastating Tri-State Tornado of 1925, this date holds a complex legacy. Births of influential figures and tragic losses also mark its story. What other significant moments define this day? Uncover the layers of history waiting to be explored.
History
Major Historical Events
1801 – Establishment of the Kingdom of Italy: On this day, Napoleon Bonaparte, as President of the Italian Republic, officially transformed the region into the Kingdom of Italy, with himself as king. This marked a significant shift in European politics during the Napoleonic era, consolidating French influence over the Italian peninsula.
1850 – Founding of American Express: American Express was founded on March 18 by Henry Wells, William Fargo, and John Warren Butterfield as an express mail business in Buffalo, New York. Initially focused on transporting goods, money, and valuables, it later became a cornerstone of the financial services industry.
1925 – Tri-State Tornado Outbreak: The deadliest tornado in U.S. history struck on this date, tearing through Missouri, Illinois, and Indiana. Known as the Tri-State Tornado, it killed 695 people, injured over 2,000, and caused widespread destruction across a 219-mile path, making it a tragic benchmark in natural disaster history.
1965 – First Spacewalk by a Human: Soviet cosmonaut Alexei Leonov performed the first-ever spacewalk during the Voskhod 2 mission. Lasting about 12 minutes, this historic event marked a major milestone in space exploration. Though Leonov faced significant challenges re-entering the spacecraft due to his inflated spacesuit.
1990 – Theft at the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum: In the early hours of March 18, two thieves disguised as police officers stole 13 works of art worth an estimated $500 million from the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum in Boston. This remains the largest art heist in U.S. history, with the artworks still unrecovered.
Famous Birthdays
1837 – Grover Cleveland: The 22nd and 24th President of the United States, Grover Cleveland, was born on this day in Caldwell, New Jersey. He remains the only president to serve two non-consecutive terms, known for his commitment to fiscal conservatism and reform.
1844 – Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov: Russian composer Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov was born in Tikhvin, Russia. Renowned for his orchestral works like “Scheherazade,” he played a significant role in shaping Russian classical music during the 19th century.
1950 – Brad Dourif: American actor Brad Dourif, known for his roles in films like “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest” and as the voice of Chucky in the “Child’s Play” series, was born in Huntington, West Virginia. His versatile performances have made him a notable figure in horror and drama.
1963 – Vanessa Williams: Actress, singer, and former Miss America Vanessa Williams was born in Millwood, New York. She broke barriers as the first African American woman to win the Miss America title in 1984, later becoming a successful entertainer with hits like “Save the Best for Last.”
1970 – Queen Latifah: Born Dana Elaine Owens in Newark, New Jersey, Queen Latifah emerged as a pioneering rapper, singer, and actress. Known for her empowering music and roles in films like “Chicago,” she has become a cultural icon advocating for diversity and inclusion.
Notable Deaths
1584 – Ivan the Terrible: Ivan IV Vasilyevich, known as Ivan the Terrible, the first Tsar of Russia, died on this day in Moscow. His reign was marked by significant territorial expansion but also brutal policies and paranoia that shaped Russian history.
1936 – Eleftherios Venizelos: Greek statesman Eleftherios Venizelos, a key figure in modern Greek history, passed away in Paris. Often called the “maker of modern Greece,” he played a pivotal role in the country’s expansion and political reforms during the early 20th century.
2009 – Natasha Richardson: British actress Natasha Richardson died tragically on this day at age 45 following a skiing accident in Quebec, Canada. Known for her roles in films like “The Parent Trap” and her Tony Award-winning stage work, her loss was deeply felt in the entertainment world.
Today in Music History
1965 – The Rolling Stones Fined for Public Urination: On this day, members of The Rolling Stones, including Mick Jagger, were fined for urinating in public at a gas station in Essex, England, after being refused use of the restroom. The incident became a quirky footnote in rock history, highlighting the band’s rebellious image.
1972 – Neil Young’s “Heart of Gold” Hits No. 1: Neil Young’s single “Heart of Gold” reached the top spot on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. From his album “Harvest,” the song remains one of his most iconic works, blending folk and rock with heartfelt lyrics.
1982 – Teddy Pendergrass Injured in Car Accident: Soul singer Teddy Pendergrass was paralyzed from the chest down after a car accident in Philadelphia on March 18. Despite the tragedy, he continued his music career, inspiring many with his resilience and powerful voice.
Today in Sports History
1892 – Stanley Cup Introduced: Lord Stanley of Preston, Governor General of Canada, announced the creation of the Stanley Cup on this day as a trophy for Canada’s best amateur hockey team. It later became the ultimate prize in professional hockey, symbolizing excellence in the sport.
1968 – Bill Russell Becomes Player-Coach: Basketball legend Bill Russell was named head coach of the Boston Celtics while still an active player, making history in the NBA. On this day, his leadership both on and off the court continued to redefine the game.
1995 – Michael Jordan Returns to the NBA: After a brief retirement to play baseball, Michael Jordan announced his return to the Chicago Bulls with the iconic statement “I’m back” on March 18. His comeback led to three more NBA championships, cementing his legacy as one of the greatest athletes ever.
Today in Military and Naval History
1241 – Battle of Chmielnik: During the Mongol invasion of Europe, the Mongols defeated Polish forces at the Battle of Chmielnik on this day. This victory allowed the Mongols to advance further into Eastern Europe, spreading fear across the continent.
1945 – Battle of Iwo Jima Continues: On March 18, U.S. forces continued intense fighting against Japanese defenders during the Battle of Iwo Jima in World War II. The brutal campaign, already nearing its end, showcased the determination of both sides in one of the war’s fiercest engagements.
Today in Tech and Science History
1926 – First Liquid-Fueled Rocket Launch: Robert H. Goddard successfully launched the world’s first liquid-fueled rocket on this day in Auburn, Massachusetts. This groundbreaking achievement laid the foundation for modern rocketry and space exploration.
1965 – Voskhod 2 Mission Success: As mentioned earlier, Soviet cosmonaut Alexei Leonov conducted the first spacewalk on March 18 during the Voskhod 2 mission. This event pushed the boundaries of human capability in space and intensified the space race with the United States.
1999 – First Circumnavigation by Balloon: Bertrand Piccard and Brian Jones completed the first non-stop balloon flight around the world on this day, landing in Egypt after a 19-day journey. Their achievement in the Breitling Orbiter 3 marked a historic moment in aviation.
Today in Art, Literature, and Culture
1858 – Rudolf Diesel Born: German inventor Rudolf Diesel, who developed the diesel engine, was born on this day in Paris. While not directly tied to art, his innovation influenced industrial culture and transportation, shaping modern society.
1932 – John Updike Born: American novelist and poet John Updike was born in Reading, Pennsylvania, on March 18. Known for works like the “Rabbit” series, his writing captured the nuances of American suburban life with wit and depth.
1979 – Premiere of “The China Syndrome”: The film “The China Syndrome,” starring Jane Fonda and Jack Lemmon, premiered on this day, addressing nuclear power plant dangers. Its release eerily coincided with the Three Mile Island accident just 12 days later, amplifying its cultural impact.
Funny & Weird Historical Facts
1965 – Rolling Stones’ Gas Station Scandal: As noted earlier, The Rolling Stones were fined for urinating at a gas station wall in England on March 18 after being denied restroom access. The incident sparked public outrage and cemented their bad-boy reputation in the media.
1977 – Koko the Gorilla’s Unusual Request: On this day, Koko, the famous gorilla known for using sign language, reportedly asked for a pet cat through her trainer. This quirky moment highlighted her remarkable ability to communicate complex desires, fascinating scientists and the public alike.
Today in History for Kids
1926 – First Rocket Launch: A scientist named Robert Goddard made history on March 18 by launching the first rocket powered by liquid fuel. It flew for just a few seconds, but it was a huge step toward building spaceships that could take people to the moon one day.
1965 – Walking in Space: A brave astronaut named Alexei Leonov became the first person to walk in space on this day. He floated outside his spaceship for about 12 minutes, showing everyone that humans could do amazing things beyond Earth.
1990 – Biggest Art Mystery: Thieves dressed as police officers stole millions of dollars’ worth of paintings from a museum in Boston on March 18. No one has found the missing art yet, making it one of the biggest unsolved mysteries in the world.
Today in History Trivia & Interesting Facts
1850 – American Express Origins: Did you know that American Express, now a major credit card company, started as a mail delivery service on March 18? It was all about moving packages and money safely across the country long before credit cards existed.
1925 – Longest Tornado Path: The Tri-State Tornado of 1925, which struck on this day, holds the record for the longest continuous tornado path in U.S. history at 219 miles. Its devastating power is still studied by weather experts today.
1995 – Jordan’s Iconic Return: Michael Jordan’s simple “I’m back” announcement on March 18 became one of the most memorable comebacks in sports. His return to basketball inspired millions and led to even more championship wins.
1999 – Ballooning Around the World: The first non-stop balloon trip around the globe finished on this day, proving that even old-fashioned ideas like hot air balloons could achieve incredible modern feats with the right teamwork and technology.