22 fun facts for October, 18
Discover dozens of fun facts for this special day. Read the summary for a quick recap on what happened.
Summary
October 18th has seen significant events, from the U.S. gaining possession of Alaska to the founding of the BBC. The day marks the births of influential figures like Lindsey Vonn and Bill Watterson and carries importance in commemorating Canadian Persons Day and National Chocolate Cupcake Day.
22 Fun facts
- On October 18, 1867, the United States formally took possession of Alaska from Russia, which is often referred to as Seward's Folly, after then-Secretary of State William H. Seward. The purchase had initially received some ridicule from Americans.
- The Hindu festival Diwali, also known as the Festival of Lights, fell on October 18th in the year 2017. Diwali is one of the most significant festivals in the Indian culture and is celebrated with much enthusiasm throughout the nation.
- In 1922, the British Broadcasting Company (BBC) was founded on October 18, becoming the world's first national broadcaster. The British Broadcasting Corporation now reaches millions of people around the world through television, radio, and online services.
- Born on October 18, 1951, American actress and producer Pam Dawber gained fame for her roles in television shows Mork & Mindy and My Sister Sam. Dawber was a highly regarded actress during the 1970s and 1980s.
- October 18 is National Chocolate Cupcake Day in the United States. This delightful holiday is a day dedicated to appreciating the beloved cupcake, popularized during the 19th century.
- In 1963, Hurricane Flora killed over 6,000 people in the Caribbean on October 18th. Flora was a deadly and destructive tropical cyclone that affected multiple countries, including Cuba, Haiti, and the Dominican Republic.
- Born on October 18, 1984, American freestyle skier Lindsey Vonn is considered one of the most successful female ski racers in the world, with four World Cup overall championships under her belt.
- In 1860, the first-ever Chinese students arrived in the United States to study, beginning on October 18. This day marked a significant milestone in international education and cultural exchange between the U.S. and China.
- On October 18, 1953, innovative blues musician Willie Dixon's composition "Hoochie Coochie Man" was recorded by Muddy Waters. The song has since become a cornerstone of classic blues music and is considered one of the genre's most influential works.
- In 1974, the sitcom "Welcome Back, Kotter" – featuring the acting debut of John Travolta – first premiered on October 18th. The show was a major hit, propelling Travolta to international stardom.
- Actor, director, and producer Chuck Lorre, who conceived and produced successful television shows such as "Two and a Half Men" and "The Big Bang Theory," was born on October 18, 1952.
- In 2003, the Taipei 101 building in Taiwan was declared the world's tallest building on October 18th. With 101 floors and standing at 1,670 feet tall, it held the distinction until the completion of the Burj Khalifa in 2010.
- On October 18th, 2001, American musician and composer Jay Livingston died. Livingston was a three-time Academy Award winner and co-wrote the popular Christmas song "Silver Bells" and the Bonanza theme.
- October 18 is Persons Day in Canada, marking the 1929 groundbreaking court decision that concluded women were persons under the law. This day serves as a yearly commemoration of the changes brought about by the ruling.
- In 1968, on October 18th, African American athletes Tommie Smith and John Carlos were suspended from the U.S. Olympic Team. The suspension came after Smith and Carlos raised their fists during the award ceremony in protest of racial inequality.
- American astronaut Peter Siebold was born on October 18, 1971. Siebold is a co-founder of the space transport company, Virgin Galactic, and a test pilot for the commercial spaceflight program SpaceShipTwo.
- On October 18th, 1968, Apollo 7 returned to Earth after test flights, solidifying the success of the first manned Apollo mission. The safe return demonstrated the feasibility of launching astronauts into space with the intent of reaching the moon.
- Renowned comic strip creator of "Calvin and Hobbes," Bill Watterson, was born on October 18, 1958. His work remains a beloved and influential piece of comic artistry that continues to inspire and entertain readers.
- In 1928, French anarchist and feminist Emma Goldman delivered her controversial speech on birth control on October 18th, advocating for reproductive rights and challenging societal norms of her time.
- On October 18, 1989, the U.S. Senate defeated a bill that would have prohibited job discrimination based on sexual orientation, fostering an ongoing conversation about LGBTQ rights.
- Author Terry McMillan, whose work includes popular novels such as "Waiting to Exhale" and "How Stella Got Her Groove Back," was born on October 18, 1951.
- In 1971, guitarist Duane Allman played his final concert with the Allman Brothers Band on October 18th, just days before the tragic motorcycle accident that claimed his life at age 24.