December 18th stands as a day marked by significant historical events that have shaped world history in diverse ways. This date reflects a rich tapestry of human achievement and change. It has witnessed political milestones, cultural shifts, and revolutionary discoveries, each leaving an indelible imprint on the annals of time. Here is list of some Major Historical Events on December 18 – Today in History.
Major Historical Events on December 18 – Today in History
218 BC, Battle of Trebia
Hannibal defeats Romans: In the Second Punic War, Hannibal’s Carthaginian army crushes the Romans in Italy, showing his military genius.
1271, Yuan Dynasty Begins
Kublai Khan’s new empire: Kublai Khan renames his empire to “Yuan,” starting a new historical period in China with significant cultural impact.
1603, Dutch East India Fleet
Dutch sail to the East-Indies: A fleet led by Admiral Steven van der Haghen marks the beginning of Dutch colonial influence in Asia.
1777, First US Thanksgiving
Celebrating a British surrender: The United States observes its first national Thanksgiving, marking General Burgoyne’s surrender in the Revolutionary War.
1796, Sunday Newspaper Debut
A Baltimore paper makes history: The Baltimore Monitor becomes the first U.S. newspaper to be published on a Sunday.
1813, Fort Niagara Captured
British win in War of 1812: In a significant battle, British forces successfully take over Fort Niagara from the Americans.
1839, First Female Photograph
A photographic milestone: John William Draper takes the first portrait photo of a woman in the United States, pioneering photography.
1849, Moon Photographed
First lunar telescope photo: William Bond achieves a groundbreaking feat by capturing the first photograph of the Moon through a telescope.
1865, Cattle Importation Law
U.S. regulates cattle imports: The first law controlling cattle importation into the U.S. is passed, aiming to protect local agriculture.
1898, First Auto Speed Record
A speedy French count: Count Gaston de Chasseloup-Laubat sets the first automobile speed record in Paris, reaching 63 kph (39 mph).
1899, British Commander in South Africa
Lord Roberts takes command: Field Marshal Lord Roberts is appointed as the supreme commander of British forces in the South African War.
1905, Cricket Debut Record
Hordern’s impressive start: H V Hordern sets a record in his First Class cricket debut, taking 8 wickets for 81 runs.
1916, End of Battle of Verdun
A long WWI battle concludes: The Battle of Verdun, one of the longest and deadliest of WWI, ends with German defeat after intense fighting.
1920, Unique Postage Stamps
Stamps without “United States”: The U.S. issues its first postage stamps without the words “United States” or “US,” a unique design choice.
1923, Tangier International Zone
Morocco’s special zone: Tangier in Morocco is declared an international zone, reflecting the city’s diverse cultural and political influences.
1935, Lanka Sama Samaja Party
A party is born in Ceylon: The Lanka Sama Samaja Party, a significant political force, is founded in what is now Sri Lanka.
1936, Panda Arrives in US
First giant panda in America: Su-Lin, the first giant panda to be brought from China, arrives in San Francisco, delighting animal lovers.
1946, First TV Drama Serial
“Faraway Hill” ends its run: The first network dramatic serial on TV, “Faraway Hill,” concludes after a two-month run in the U.S.
1948, Indonesian Elections
Indonesia’s democratic step: The country begins its second political election, marking a step towards democratic governance.
1956, Israeli Flag on Sinai
A symbolic Israeli gesture: Israel hoists its flag on Mount Sinai, a historically significant act during the period of conflict.
1956, Japan Joins UN
Japan’s global integration: Japan is admitted to the United Nations, symbolizing its post-war recovery and international participation.
1957, First Full-Scale Nuclear Plant
Peacetime nuclear energy: The Shippingport Atomic Power Station in Pennsylvania begins generating electricity, showcasing nuclear power’s peaceful uses.
1958, Project SCORE
Launching a communication satellite: Project SCORE, the world’s first communications satellite, is sent into space, revolutionizing global communication.
1963, World Record Run
Clarke’s record-setting run: Ron Clarke sets a world record in the 10k run, showcasing exceptional athletic talent.
1966, Discovery of Epimetheus
Saturn’s moon found: Richard L. Walker discovers Epimetheus, one of Saturn’s moons, expanding our knowledge of the solar system.
1971, Candlelight Processional at EPCOT
Disney’s holiday tradition: The first Candlelight Processional at Disney World’s EPCOT Center begins, becoming a cherished holiday event.
1980, Vietnam’s Constitution
A new era for Vietnam: Vietnam adopts a new constitution, marking a significant moment in the country’s post-war development.
1993, Speed Skating Record
Kevin Scott’s fast skate: Kevin Scott sets a world record in the 1K speed skating event, showing incredible speed and skill.
1997, HTML 4.0 Released
Advancing web standards: The World Wide Web Consortium publishes HTML 4.0, a major step forward in web development and design.
2003, Rubens’ Painting Sold
A costly masterpiece: Peter Paul Rubens’ “The Massacre of the Innocents” is sold for a massive £49.5 million at Sotheby’s auction.
2006, UAE’s First Elections
A political milestone: The United Arab Emirates holds its first elections, signaling a shift towards more participatory governance.
2009, Avatar’s Release
A box-office sensation: “Avatar,” directed by James Cameron, premieres in the U.S. and becomes a record-breaking movie hit.
2011, US Troops Leave Iraq
End of Iraq War for the U.S.: The last American troops withdraw from Iraq, officially ending U.S. military involvement in the war.
2018, Bering Sea Meteor
A powerful explosion: A meteor explodes over the Bering Sea with immense energy, becoming one of the most significant recent space events.
2020, South Africa’s COVID Variant
Discovery of a new variant: South Africa announces the detection of a new COVID-19 variant, contributing to global concerns about the virus’s spread.
Also Read: Major Historical Events on December 16 – Today in History
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