Europa

The Fall of Acre (1291)

  • On May 18, 1291, the city of Acre, the last major stronghold of the Crusaders in the Holy Land, fell to the Mamluks. This event marked the end of Crusader ambitions in the region and effectively concluded the era of the Crusades.

Constantine’s Bread Rationing (332)

  • On May 18, 332, Emperor Constantine the Great of the Byzantine Empire enacted a policy to provide free daily bread rations to the citizens of Constantinople. This was a significant early example of state-sponsored social welfare in Europe.

Napoleon Declared Emperor (1804)

  • On May 18, 1804, Napoleon Bonaparte was proclaimed Emperor of the French by the French Senate, dramatically altering the political landscape of Europe and setting the stage for the Napoleonic Wars.

America

Mount St. Helens Eruption (1980)

  • On May 18, 1980, Mount St. Helens in Washington erupted in one of the most significant volcanic events in U.S. history, killing 57 people and causing over $1 billion in damages.

Plessy v. Ferguson Decision (1896)

  • The U.S. Supreme Court issued its ruling in Plessy v. Ferguson on May 18, 1896, upholding the constitutionality of racial segregation under the doctrine of “separate but equal”.

Selective Service Act (1917)

  • On this day in 1917, Congress passed the Selective Service Act, authorizing the federal government to raise a national army for World War I through conscription.

Siege of Vicksburg Begins (1863)

  • General Ulysses S. Grant began the siege of Vicksburg, Mississippi, during the Civil War on May 18, 1863, a pivotal campaign leading to Union control of the Mississippi River.

Abraham Lincoln Nominated for President (1860)

  • The Republican Party nominated Abraham Lincoln for president at its national convention on May 18, 1860.

Bath School Disaster (1927)

  • The deadliest school massacre in U.S. history occurred in Bath Township, Michigan, on May 18, 1927, when a disgruntled school board member set off bombs, killing 45 people, mostly children.

Asia

India’s First Nuclear Test (1974)

  • On May 18, 1974, India conducted its first successful nuclear test, codenamed “Smiling Buddha,” at the Pokhran Test Range. This event made India the sixth nation in the world to demonstrate nuclear capability, significantly impacting the strategic balance in South Asia and establishing India as a nuclear power.

End of the Sri Lankan Civil War (2009)

  • On May 18, 2009, the Sri Lankan government declared victory over the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), marking the end of a nearly 26-year-long civil war. This brought a close to a devastating conflict and began a new chapter for reconciliation and rebuilding in Sri Lanka.

China: Key Historical Events

  • On May 18, 1927, the Government of the Republic of China approved Tongji University as one of the first national universities.
  • On May 18, 1948, the First Legislative Yuan of the Republic of China officially convened in Nanjing, marking a significant step in the country’s legislative development.

Africa

Separate Representation of Voters Act Passed in South Africa (1956)

  • On May 18, 1956, the South African government passed the Separate Representation of Voters Act. This legislation further entrenched apartheid by removing Coloured voters from the common voters’ roll, severely restricting their political rights and representation.

World AIDS Vaccine Day

  • May 18 is observed as World AIDS Vaccine Day, which is significant across Africa due to the continent’s ongoing fight against HIV/AIDS. The day highlights the importance of research and development for an effective AIDS vaccine.

International Museum Day

  • May 18 is also celebrated as International Museum Day, an occasion marked by museums across Africa to promote the cultural heritage and history of the continent.