Fact 1: April 18 Marks San Francisco’s Most Devastating Earthquake
In the early morning hours of April 18, 1906, a massive earthquake devastated the city of San Francisco, California. The quake, estimated to be 7.8 on the Richter scale, lasted for almost a minute and its fury was felt from Oregon to Los Angeles and inland as far as Nevada. It remains one of the worst natural disasters in the history of the United States.
Fact 2: The Deadliest Day of World War I
April 18, 1915, marks the deadliest day in World War I during the Gallipoli campaign. The Allies' attempt to capture the Turkish peninsula led to severe casualties on both sides and ultimately ended in failure for the Allied forces.
Fact 3: Launch of Apollo 16
NASA's Apollo 16, the fifth mission in which humans walked on the lunar surface, was launched on April 18, 1972. Astronauts John Young, Thomas Mattingly, and Charles Duke embarked on a journey to the moon, where they conducted scientific experiments and investigations.
Fact 4: Albert Einstein's Death
On April 18, 1955, the world lost one of its finest scientific minds. Albert Einstein, famous for his theory of relativity, passed away at the age of 76 in Princeton, New Jersey.
Fact 5: A Day for Monument Preservation
April 18 is recognized as the International Day for Monuments and Sites. Established by the International Council on Monuments and Sites in 1982, it promotes awareness about the diversity of cultural heritage, its vulnerability, and the efforts needed for protection and conservation.
Fact 6: Zimbabwe attained Independence
On April 18, 1980, the African nation of Zimbabwe gained independence from Britain. This marked the end of a lengthy and often violent struggle for self-governance.
Fact 7: The Death of Albert I of Belgium
April 18, 1938, marked the death of Albert I, King of Belgium who reigned from 1909 to 1934. Known as "Belgium's Hero King," he led the country through the turbulence of World War I.
Fact 8: “1984” Takes on a New Meaning
The term “1984” generates thoughts of George Orwell’s dystopian novel, but it also represents a significant date in history. On April 18, 1984, a shooting incident at the Libyan embassy in London led to the death of a British police officer, escalating tensions between the UK and Libya.
Fact 9: Birthday of American Sound Pioneer
Lee De Forest, the American inventor known as the "Father of Radio," was born on April 18, 1873. His pioneering work in sound-on-film recording technology paved the way for the talkies, changing the cinematic industry forever.
Fact 10: Texas Revolution Ends
The Texas Revolution ended on April 18, 1836, just weeks after the famous Battle at the Alamo. The signing of the Treaties of Velasco secured Texas’ independence from Mexico, leading to the establishment of the Republic of Texas.
Fact 11: Martin Luther King’s “Letter from Birmingham Jail”
On April 18, 1963, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. penned his famous “Letter from Birmingham Jail,” defending nonviolent resistance to racism and leading a pivotal charge in the civil rights movement.
Fact 12: Inception of the FBI
April 18, 1908, marked the inception of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). Created during President Theodore Roosevelt’s years in office, the FBI's mission is to protect and defend the United States and uphold its laws.
Fact 13: Birth of Clarence Darrow
Applauded as one of the greatest trial lawyers in U.S. history, Clarence Darrow was born on April 18, 1857. He's best known for his defense of high school teachers' right to teach evolution in the Scopes Trial of 1925.
Fact 14: Netflix Commenced Operations
On April 18, 1998, the popular streaming platform Netflix commenced operations. Initially started as a DVD-by-mail service, Netflix has grown into one of the leading worldwide streaming platforms.
Fact 15: Establishment of Heathrow Airport
Heathrow Airport, one of the busiest airports in the world, was officially opened on April 18, 1946. Situated in London, it serves over 80 airlines, flying to 180 destinations worldwide.
Fact 16: Founding of Los Angeles Times
On April 18, 1881, The Los Angeles Times was first published. Today, it's one of the largest metropolitan newspapers in the United States and has won more than 40 Pulitzer Prizes.
Fact 17: First Home Run by Babe Ruth
The legendary baseball player Babe Ruth hit his first career home run on April 18, 1915, while playing for the Boston Red Sox. Known as "The Sultan of Swat," he would go on to hit 714 home runs during his career.
Fact 18: The Puzzle Day
A delightful fact for puzzle lovers, April 18 is celebrated as National Puzzle Day in the USA. It’s a day for everyone to enjoy some mind-bending fun with crosswords, puzzles, Sudoku, and more.
Fact 19: Final Episode of 'Parks and Recreation'
On April 18, 2015, the final episode of the wildly popular television sitcom, 'Parks and Recreation' aired. The series finale marked the end of seven successful seasons and left fans with plenty of memorable moments.
Fact 20: American movie classic is aired
On April 18, 1939, the iconic movie "The Wizard of Oz," had its first televised airing. Since this date, the film has been lauded as one of the greatest movies in cinematic history.