On This Day in History – August 18

August 18 has been marked by political milestones, scientific breakthroughs, and cultural moments that have shaped societies around the globe. From royal births to technological firsts, this day holds a wide range of historical significance.

Major Events

• 1227 – Genghis Khan, founder of the Mongol Empire, dies during a campaign in China.
• 1587 – Virginia Dare becomes the first English child born in the Americas, in the Roanoke Colony.
• 1870 – The Battle of Gravelotte, one of the largest battles of the Franco-Prussian War, takes place near Metz, France.
• 1920 – The 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution is ratified, granting American women the right to vote.
• 1950 – Julien Lahaut, Belgian politician and Communist leader, is assassinated, sparking national unrest.
• 1963 – James Meredith graduates from the University of Mississippi, becoming the first African American to do so.
• 1966 – The first images of Earth taken from the Moon’s surface are transmitted by Lunar Orbiter 1.
• 2008 – President Pervez Musharraf resigns under threat of impeachment, ending nearly nine years of military-led rule in Pakistan.
• 2019 – A wildfire begins in Gran Canaria, Spain, forcing the evacuation of thousands of residents.

Famous Birthdays

• Virginia Dare (1587–unknown) – First English child born in the New World (symbolic historical figure).
• Meriwether Lewis (1774–1809) – American explorer and leader of the Lewis and Clark Expedition.
• Shelley Winters (1920–2006) – American actress and Academy Award winner.
• Rosalynn Carter (1927–2023) – Former First Lady of the United States and mental health advocate.
• Roman Polanski (1933– ) – French-Polish film director known for Chinatown and The Pianist.
• Robert Redford (1936– ) – American actor and director, founder of the Sundance Film Festival.
• Patrick Swayze (1952–2009) – American actor and dancer, known for Dirty Dancing and Ghost.
• Edward Norton (1969– ) – American actor and filmmaker.
• Andy Samberg (1978– ) – American comedian and actor known for Brooklyn Nine-Nine.
• Madeleine Stowe (1958– ) – American actress known for The Last of the Mohicans and Revenge.

Notable Deaths

• Genghis Khan (c. 1162–1227) – Mongol emperor and one of history’s most successful military leaders.
• Honoré de Balzac (1799–1850) – French novelist and playwright, known for La Comédie Humaine.
• Earl Long (1895–1960) – American politician and three-time governor of Louisiana.
• Anastasio Somoza Debayle (1925–1980) – Former Nicaraguan dictator, assassinated in Paraguay.
• Subrahmanyan Chandrasekhar (1910–1995) – Indian-American astrophysicist and Nobel Prize winner.
• B.F. Skinner (1904–1990) – American psychologist and behaviorist, known for his work in operant conditioning.
• Elmer Bernstein (1922–2004) – American film score composer, known for The Magnificent Seven.
• Franz Joseph II (1906–1989) – Prince of Liechtenstein and Europe’s longest reigning monarch at the time of his death.
• Tony Scott (1944–2012) – British film director known for Top Gun and Man on Fire.
• James Eagan Holmes (1987–2012) – Convicted in the Aurora theater shooting; this is a controversial figure and date usage should be handled with discretion.

Holidays

• Constitution Day (Indonesia) – Commemorates the adoption of Indonesia’s constitution in 1945.
• Birthday of Virginia Dare (U.S. commemorative) – Celebrated in North Carolina to remember the first English child born in the Americas.
• National Science Day (Thailand) – Marks King Rama IV’s prediction of a solar eclipse in 1868.
• Serendipity Day (United States, informal) – A modern cultural observance promoting creativity and happy accidents.

Fun Facts

• The 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution was ratified on this day in 1920, just over a century ago, after decades of women’s suffrage activism.
• Virginia Dare’s birth in 1587 has become a symbol of colonial exploration and mystery, as the Roanoke Colony later disappeared without a trace.
• The first photo of Earth from lunar orbit was transmitted on this date in 1966, offering a new perspective on our planet.
• Patrick Swayze, born on this day, starred in Dirty Dancing, which later became a cult classic and pop culture touchstone.
• Robert Redford’s Sundance Film Festival, which he founded, became one of the most prestigious showcases for independent film.