May 18 has witnessed pivotal moments that left an indelible mark on history. Dive into the Major Historical Events on May 18 and discover how they influenced our present and future.
Major Historical Events on May 18- Today in History
Founding of Montreal – 1642 AD
Montreal was established by Paul de Chomedey, sieur (lord) de Maisonneuve, marking the city’s inception.
Abraham Lincoln’s Nomination – 1860 AD
Abraham Lincoln secured the Republican candidacy for the U.S. presidency on the third ballot at the Republican National Convention in Chicago.
Birth of Walter Gropius – 1883 AD
Walter Gropius, a German architect and educator who profoundly influenced modern architecture while directing the Bauhaus (1919–28), was born in Berlin.
Plessy v. Ferguson Decision – 1896 AD
The U.S. Supreme Court issued its ruling in Plessy v. Ferguson, endorsing the contentious “separate but equal” doctrine for racial segregation laws’ constitutionality.
Hague Convention Begins – 1899 AD
The inaugural international conference that led to the Hague Convention commenced at The Hague in the Netherlands.
Creation of the Tennessee Valley Authority – 1933 AD
The U.S. government formed the Tennessee Valley Authority to manage floods and generate electrical power along the Tennessee River and its tributaries.
Fall of Brussels in WWII – 1940 AD
During World War II, Brussels fell to the invading German army and endured harsh occupation conditions.
Jacqueline Cochran’s Aviation Milestone – 1953 AD
American aviator Jacqueline Cochran became the first woman to break the sound barrier.
First Ascent of Lhotse I – 1956 AD
Swiss climbers Fritz Luchsinger and Ernest Reiss achieved the first ascent of the Lhotse I mountain in the Himalayas.
Apollo 10 Launch and Historic Broadcast – 1969 AD
Apollo 10 launched from the Kennedy Space Center and later made history by transmitting the first color pictures of Earth from space.
India’s Nuclear Test – 1974 AD
India conducted a nuclear weapon test in the Rajasthan desert.
Eruption of Mount St. Helens – 1980 AD
On this day in 1980, after a 5.1 magnitude earthquake, Mount St. Helens in Washington state erupted in one of North America’s most massive volcanic explosions.
Release of Shrek – 2001 AD
The comedy Shrek, featuring voices from Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy, and Cameron Diaz, premiered nationwide in the United States and later won the first Academy Award for best animated feature.
Randy Johnson’s Perfect Game – 2004 AD
American baseball player Randy Johnson became the oldest pitcher to throw a perfect game, achieving this feat for the Arizona Diamondbacks against the Atlanta Braves.
Facebook’s IPO – 2012 AD
Facebook, an American company offering online social networking services, held its initial public offering, raising $16 billion.
Death of Roger Ailes – 2017 AD
American television producer and political consultant Roger Ailes, a significant figure in the Republican Party and founding president of the Fox News Channel (1996–16), died at age 77.
Also Read: Major Historical Events on May 17- Today in History
