February 18

Friday 18, 2005:

The United Kingdom law banning fox hunting, hare coursing and other sports which kill wild mammals is enforced from this date.

Wednesday 18, 2004:

Up to 295 people, including nearly 200 rescue workers, die near Neyshabur in Iran when a run-away freight train carrying sulfur, petrol and fertiliser catches fire and explodes.

Tuesday 18, 2003:

Nearly 200 people die in the Daegu subway fire in South Korea

Wednesday 18, 1998:

Two white separatists are arrested in Nevada and accused of plotting a biological attack on New York City subways.

Monday 18, 1985:

The legendary "mirror globe" ident, first used in 1969, is seen for the last time in regular rotation on BBC1.

Friday 18, 1983:

Thirteen people die and one is seriously injured in the Wah Mee Massacre in Seattle, Washington, said to be the largest robbery-motivated mass-murder in American history.

Friday 18, 1977:

The Space Shuttle Enterprise test vehicle goes on its maiden "flight" while sitting on top of a Boeing 747.

Monday 18, 1974:

KISS releases their self-titled debut album.

Friday 18, 1972:

The California Supreme Court invalidates the state's death penalty and commutes the sentences of all death row inmates to life in prison.

Wednesday 18, 1970:

The Chicago Eight are found not guilty of conspiring to incite riots at the 1968 Democratic Party national convention.

Thursday 18, 1965:

The Gambia becomes independent from the United Kingdom.

Wednesday 18, 1953:

Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz sign an $8,000,000 contract to continue the I Love Lucy television series through 1955.

Wednesday 18, 1948:

Eamon de Valera resigns as Taoiseach of Ireland.

Thursday 18, 1943:

Joseph Goebbels delivers the Sportpalast speech

Thursday 18, 1932:

The Empire of Japan declares Manzhouguo (obsolete Chinese name for Manchuria) independent from China.

Tuesday 18, 1930:

Elm Farm Ollie becomes the first cow to fly in an airplane and also the first cow to be milked in an airplane.

Monday 18, 1929:

First Academy Awards are announced.

Tuesday 18, 1913:

Raymond Poincaré becomes President of France.

Saturday 18, 1911:

The first official flight with air mail takes place in Allahabad, British India, when Henri Pequet, a 23-year-old pilot, delivers 6,500 letters to Naini, about 10 km away.

Wednesday 18, 1885:

Mark Twain's Adventures of Huckleberry Finn is published for the first time.

Monday 18, 1878:

The Lincoln County War begins in Lincoln County, New Mexico.

Saturday 18, 1865:

In the U.S., Delaware voters reject the 13th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, and vote to continue the practice of slavery. (Delaware finally ratifies the amendment on February 12, 1901.)

Monday 18, 1861:

With the Italian unification almost complete, King Victor Emmanuel II of Piedmont, Savoy and Sardinia assumes the title of King of Italy.

Monday 18, 1856:

The American Party (Know-Nothings) convene in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to nominate their first Presidential candidate, former President (Millard Fillmore).

Thursday 18, 1841:

The first ongoing filibuster in the United States Senate begins and lasts until March 11.

Friday 18, 1814:

Battle of Montereau occurs.

Saturday 18, 1797:

Trinidad is surrendered to a British fleet under the command of Sir Ralph Abercromby.

Sunday 18, 1685:

Fort St. Louis is established by a Frenchman at Matagorda Bay thus forming the basis for France's claim to Texas.

Monday 18, 1478:

George, Duke of Clarence, convicted of treason against his older brother Edward IV of England, is privately executed in the Tower of London.

Sunday 18, 1229:

The Sixth Crusade: Frederick II, Holy Roman Emperor signs a ten-year truce with al-Kamil, regaining Jerusalem, Nazareth, and Bethlehem with neither military engagements nor support from the papacy.

Friday 18, -3102:

Epoch (origin) of the Kali Yuga- Lord Krishna leaves his mortal coil.

More on February, 18

• People Born on February, 18
• They left us on February, 18