Fact 1: The Legacy of the Roman Empire
August 18 marks the day in 29 BC when Octavian (later named Augustus) held the first of three consecutive triumphs in Rome to celebrate the victory over the then Egyptian queen Cleopatra. This victory signified one of the major turning points in Roman history.
Fact 2: US Gains a New Territory
On August 18, 1890, the Wyoming Territory was admitted as the 44th state of United States. This event not only increased the number of stars on the American flag, but also symbolized how the country was constantly growing and expanding its territories.
Fact 3: A Step towards Women's Equality
August 18 is historic for women in America. On this day in 1920, the United States ratified the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, granting women the right to vote. A significant milestone in women's rights movement that should be celebrated.
Fact 4: The Birth of 'The King of Rock'
In 1935, August 18 saw the birth of Robert De Niro. Known for his iconic roles in various films, it is also the birth date of Elvis Presley's manager Colonel Tom Parker, showing that even behind the scenes, August 18 births contributed significantly to the entertainment industry.
Fact 5: Voyage to Venus
According to the Spacecraft Catalog, on August 18, 1960, a Russian satellite, Venera 1VA, the USSR's first attempt to send a spacecraft to Venus, was launched. The unfortunate mishap was that the spacecraft did not reach Venus but remained in Earth’s orbit instead.
Fact 6: The Longest Commercial Flight
On August 18, 2005, JetBlue Flight 292 made a successful emergency landing in Los Angeles International Airport. This flight achieved renown status thanks to its landing gear malfunction, which caused the flight to circle in the air for over 3 hours, creating one of the longest commercial flights in U.S. history.
Fact 7: Boom of the Silver Industry
In 1852 on this day, the first-ever international telegraph cable between Britain and America was laid. This helped to boost the silver industry, as silver was a significant component of the cables.
Fact 8: Birthday of NASA's "Moon Buggy"
August 18 marks the birth in 1936 of the famous NASA engineer Ferenc Pavlics, who was the leading designer of the Lunar Roving Vehicle or "Moon Buggy".
Fact 9: The Beatles' Final Photoshoot
On August 18, 1969, the Beatles had their final photo shoot at Tittenhurst Park. This has been considered a significant event in pop culture history as it marked the end of one of the most influential bands in history.
Fact 10: American Gothic Hits the Canvas
On August 18, 1930, Grant Wood observed the Dibble House in Iowa, which inspired him to create the famous painting "American Gothic". This artwork explored the themes of rural American life and stereotypes.
Fact 11: Remembering Genghis Khan
On August 18, 1227, one of history's most famous conquerors, Genghis Khan, passed away. Although his death marked the end of his reign, his influence still lives on.
Fact 12: Birth of the Polaroid Camera
Dr. Edwin Land, the inventor of the Polaroid camera, was born on August 18th, 1909. The Polaroid camera revolutionized the world of photography by making it more accessible to everyday people.
Fact 13: The Bullfighter Picasso
August 18th, 1956, marks the day when Pablo Picasso, the distinguished artist, attended a bullfight, leading him to create his famous painting "Le Corrida."
Fact 14: Creation of Geoffrey, the Toys"R"Us Mascot
Back in 1965 on this day, a new mascot was introduced in the Toys"R"Us universe. Geoffrey, the giraffe, became a well-known icon for the children's toy store.
Fact 15: A Leap in Computer Technology
On August 18, 1947, the RCA Corporation introduced the Selectron Tube, the first electronic storage device with a capacity of 4096 bits. This event played a significant role in the history of computing technologies.
Fact 16: Birth of Immortal Cells
Henrietta Lacks, the source of HeLa cells, the first immortal human cell line, died on August 18, 1951. This cell line has been used worldwide for medical research.
Fact 17: Arrival of the Sweet Corn Nun
Back in 1750, Sister Marie-Joseph Angelique, known as the Sweet Corn Nun, arrived in Montreal, Canada, from France. She'd supposedly seen a vision of a bountiful corn crop, leading to her famous moniker.
Fact 18: Dissolution of the NSEERS Program
On August 18, 2016, the US Homeland Security's controversial NSEERS program was officially dismantled, ending a 15-year operation that largely targeted Arab and Muslim immigrants.
Fact 19: The Medal of Honor's Birth
On August 18, 1903, Leonard Wood and Theodore Roosevelt proposed the creation of what we know today as the Medal of Honor.
Fact 20: A Day for Humanitarian Workers
August 18 is celebrated as World Humanitarian Day, to honor those who risk their lives in service of others, particularly people who have been affected by conflicts and disasters. This day was officially designated by the UN General Assembly in December 2008.