Europa
- 64 AD: Great Fire of Rome
On July 18, 64 AD, a massive fire broke out in Rome, which would become one of the most significant disasters in the city’s ancient history. The fire raged for six days and destroyed much of the city, with Emperor Nero later blamed for his alleged indifference and rumored involvement. - 1389: Truce of Leulinghem
France and England agreed to the Truce of Leulinghem, inaugurating a 13-year period of peace—the longest sustained peace during the Hundred Years’ War. - 1507: Charles I Crowned Duke of Burgundy and Count of Flanders
In Brussels, Prince Charles I (later Holy Roman Emperor Charles V) was crowned Duke of Burgundy and Count of Flanders, consolidating Habsburg influence in the region. - 1555: Reincorporation of the College of Arms
The College of Arms was reincorporated by royal charter signed by Queen Mary I of England and King Philip II of Spain, reinforcing the heraldic authority in England. - 1806: Malta Gunpowder Explosion
A gunpowder magazine explosion in Birgu, Malta, killed around 200 people, marking a tragic event in Maltese history. - 1862: First Ascent of Dent Blanche
The Dent Blanche, one of the highest summits in the Alps, was climbed for the first time, marking a milestone in European mountaineering. - Battle of Soissons and Château-Thierry
On July 18, 1918, the Allies launched a major counteroffensive against German forces in France. French commander Ferdinand Foch ordered 24 French divisions, supported by British and American divisions and 478 tanks, to attack around Soissons. American forces also drove Germans out of Château-Thierry, inflicting significant casualties. These actions marked a turning point on the Western Front, halting the German Spring Offensive and initiating the Allied advance that would ultimately lead to the end of the war. - Executions in Russia
On the same day, agents of the Bolshevik Cheka executed several Russian nobles related to the Romanov family in Alapayevsk, deepening the violence of the Russian Civil War.
America
- Presidential Succession Act Signed (1947)
On July 18, 1947, U.S. President Harry Truman signed an Executive Order establishing the line of succession to the presidency in case the president becomes incapacitated or dies in office. This act clarified the order in which government officials would assume the presidency, a significant step in ensuring governmental continuity. - Detroit Declares Bankruptcy (2013)
On July 18, 2013, the city of Detroit filed for bankruptcy, marking the largest municipal bankruptcy in U.S. history. The city was facing debts of up to $20 billion, highlighting the economic challenges faced by many American cities. - Intel Corporation Founded (1968)
Intel, the world’s largest semiconductor chip manufacturer, was founded in Santa Clara, California, on July 18, 1968. This marked a pivotal moment in the development of the technology industry in America. - U.S. Congress Forms Aviation Section (1914)
On July 18, 1914, the U.S. Congress established the Aviation Section within the U.S. Signal Corps, officially recognizing the importance of aircraft in the U.S. Army for the first time. This move laid the groundwork for the future U.S. Air Force. - World War I: Allied Counteroffensive (1918)
On this day in 1918, during World War I, Allied forces—led by French, British, and American divisions—launched a major counteroffensive against German forces at the Second Battle of the Marne, marking a turning point on the Western Front.
Asia
- 645 AD – Siege of Anshi (China)
Chinese forces under General Li Shiji besieged the strategic fortress city of Anshi (in present-day Liaoning, China) during the Goguryeo–Tang War. This conflict was a major episode in East Asian history, as the Tang dynasty sought to expand its influence into the Korean Peninsula. - 1944 – Hideki Tōjō Resigns as Prime Minister of Japan
On July 18, 1944, Hideki Tōjō resigned as Prime Minister of Japan following a series of military setbacks during World War II. His resignation marked a turning point in Japan’s wartime leadership as the country faced increasing Allied pressure. - 1979 – Iliwerung Volcano Tsunami (Indonesia)
A landslide on the Iliwerung volcano in Indonesia triggered a tsunami, resulting in the deaths of over 530 people and leaving 700 missing. This disaster was one of the deadliest volcanic-related events in modern Indonesian history. - 2011 – Key Events in the Middle East and Asia
During the Arab Spring, Libyan rebels claimed victory in the eastern town of Brega, and the Syrian uprising saw the release of 50 protesters in Hama. In Afghanistan, U.S. General David Petraeus handed over command of NATO forces to Lieutenant General John R. Allen. Additionally, rioting at a police station in Hotan, Xinjiang (China), resulted in at least four deaths, highlighting ongoing unrest in the region.
Africa
- On July 18 in African history, the most significant and widely commemorated event is the birth of Nelson Mandela in 1918. Mandela was a towering anti-apartheid activist and the first Black president of South Africa, elected in the country’s first fully representative democratic election. He spent 27 years in prison for his fight against apartheid, a system of institutionalized racial segregation and discrimination enforced by the white minority government. Mandela became a global symbol of resistance to oppression and reconciliation, promoting peace, social justice, and equality in South Africa and worldwide after his release in 1990. His birthday, July 18, is celebrated annually as Nelson Mandela International Day, recognized by the United Nations as a day to honor his legacy and encourage community service and social change.
This day in history: 18 july