April 18 in History

Significant events that happened on this day.

Today

Historical Events

2019

Scientists captured the first-ever photograph of a black hole, located 55 million light-years away

Major

The Event Horizon Telescope collaboration linked eight radio telescopes across the planet to create an Earth-sized virtual telescope. The resulting im...

2018

Toys 'R' Us closed all 800 U.S. stores after 70 years in business, marking the end of childhood for millennials everywhere

The iconic toy retailer couldn't compete with online shopping and filed for bankruptcy, leaving Geoffrey the Giraffe unemployed. Former employees and...

2002

An emu escaped from a farm in Shropshire, England and evaded capture for three days despite a massive search

The six-foot-tall flightless bird, nicknamed 'Emu Patra' by locals, led police, farmers, and wildlife experts on a comedic chase through villages. It...

1977

A man in California successfully convinced a judge to legally change his name to 'One'

The Los Angeles man argued that being called 'One' would remind him of his unity with all humanity. The judge approved the change despite its obvious...

1949

Ireland officially left the British Commonwealth and became the Republic of Ireland

After centuries of British rule and decades of incremental independence, Ireland formally declared itself a republic. The move removed the last consti...

1947

Jackie Robinson played his first home game at Ebbets Field as a Brooklyn Dodger, breaking baseball's color barrier

Major

After debuting away from home on April 15th, Robinson's first home game drew over 25,000 fans. He went hitless but made history simply by taking the f...

1938

Superman made his first appearance in Action Comics #1, selling for 10 cents

Major

Created by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster, Superman launched the superhero genre and became an American cultural icon. The teenage creators sold the rig...

1923

Yankee Stadium opened in the Bronx and was immediately nicknamed 'The House That Ruth Built'

Babe Ruth christened the new stadium by hitting a three-run homer in the Yankees' 4-1 victory over the Red Sox. An estimated 74,200 fans attended, tho...

1912

A woman in Denver married her husband's ghost in a séance ceremony attended by 30 people

Marie Shaughnessy held a full wedding ceremony to marry the spirit of her deceased fiancé with a spiritualist medium officiating. Guests reported hear...

1906

A massive earthquake devastated San Francisco, followed by fires that burned for three days

Major

The 7.9 magnitude earthquake struck at 5:12 AM, rupturing 296 miles of the San Andreas Fault. The subsequent fires, caused by broken gas lines and fou...

1897

The first Boston Marathon was held with only 15 runners, and the winner finished in 2 hours and 55 minutes

John McDermott won the inaugural race, which was inspired by the first modern Olympic marathon the previous year. The course was about 24.5 miles, sho...

1882

Thomas Edison's electric power station in London started operating, proving electricity could be distributed commercially

The Holborn Viaduct power station was Europe's first coal-fired public power station, lighting nearby streetlamps and buildings. It operated for just...

1775

Paul Revere made his famous midnight ride to warn colonists that British troops were coming

Major

Revere rode from Boston to Lexington to warn Samuel Adams and John Hancock of approaching British forces. Though immortalized in Longfellow's poem, Re...

Fun Facts from April 18