22 fun facts for November, 18

Discover dozens of fun facts for this special day. Read the summary for a quick recap on what happened.
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Summary
November 18th is a remarkable day in history with events such as the establishment of UNESCO, the invention of the phonograph, and Mickey Mouse's birthday. The day also marks significant occasions like Latvia's Independence Day, the Great Storm of 1703, and the creation of the Free Territory of Trieste.
22 Fun facts
  1. National Opera Day in the United States (2020) November 18th, 2020 was proclaimed National Opera Day by the US Senate to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the National Opera Association. Established in 1945, the association helps promote and support the creation, presentation, and enjoyment of opera across the country.
  2. William Tell shoots the apple off his son's head (1307) On November 18, 1307, Swiss national hero William Tell famously shot an apple off his son's head. The legendary marksman demonstrated his incredible skill with a crossbow, which later became a symbol of Swiss resistance against tyranny.
  3. Mickey Mouse's Birthday (1928) November 18th marks the birthday of the iconic Disney character Mickey Mouse, who made his first appearance in the 1928 animated short film "Steamboat Willie." Created by Walt Disney and Ub Iwerks, Mickey Mouse went on to become a worldwide cultural phenomenon and a beloved mascot.
  4. The first successful artificial heart transplant (1982) On this day in 1982, the first successful artificial heart transplant was performed by Dr. Robert Jarvik in the United States. The operation, which took place at the University of Utah, involved implanting a Jarvik-7 artificial heart into the patient Barney Clark, who lived for 112 days after the surgery.
  5. National Princess Day (United States) In the US, November 18th is celebrated as National Princess Day, a day to honor the contributions of real-life and fictional princesses throughout history. Established in 2017, the day encourages young girls to feel like a princess while recognizing qualities like kindness, humility, resilience, and leadership.
  6. Latvia's Independence Day (1918) November 18th is a national public holiday in Latvia, celebrating the country's Declaration of Independence from German occupation in 1918. Citizens across the nation come together to celebrate the day with parades, speeches, concerts, and fireworks.
  7. National Married to a Scorpio Support Day (United States) Originated as an internet holiday, National Married to a Scorpio Support Day, celebrated on November 18th, is a humorous nod to those married to someone born under the astrological sign of Scorpio. Participants are encouraged to share their experiences or tips for living with a Scorpio spouse.
  8. Bonn Climate Change Conference (2017) From November 6-17, 2017, representatives from nearly 200 countries gathered in Bonn, Germany, to discuss and evaluate the steps needed to reduce global greenhouse gases and combat climate change. The conference, held under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, concluded on November 18th.
  9. Space shuttle Atlantis launch (1989) On November 18, 1989, NASA launched the Space Shuttle Atlantis on a classified Department of Defense mission. The STS-38 mission marked the seventh flight for the Atlantis and the 37th Space Shuttle mission overall.
  10. Rodney King incident (1991) The trial of four LAPD officers accused of using excessive force against Rodney King began on November 18, 1991. The trial and subsequent acquittal of the officers resulted in the 1992 Los Angeles riots, which led to widespread destruction, 63 deaths, and more than 2,000 injured individuals.
  11. David "Son of Sam" Berkowitz declared sane (1977) Serial killer David Berkowitz, known as the "Son of Sam," was declared mentally competent to stand trial on November 18, 1977. He ultimately pleaded guilty to eight separate shooting attacks that resulted in six deaths and numerous injuries in New York City.
  12. Establishment of the Free Territory of Trieste (1947) The Free Territory of Trieste, a short-lived independent state situated between Italy and Yugoslavia, was established on November 18, 1947. The territory was created as a buffer zone following World War II and existed until 1954.
  13. Invention of the Phonograph (1877) Thomas Edison completed his invention of the phonograph on November 18, 1877. This groundbreaking innovation paved the way for future audio recording devices and revolutionized the music and entertainment industry.
  14. The Jonestown Massacre (1978) On November 18, 1978, more than 900 people died in the Jonestown Massacre, a mass murder-suicide led by cult leader Jim Jones in Guyana. The tragedy remains the largest single loss of American civilian life in a non-natural disaster until the September 11 attacks.
  15. The first push-button telephone (1963) The Bell System introduced the first touch-tone push-button telephone on November 18, 1963. These phones replaced rotary dial telephones, making it much easier and faster to dial a number.
  16. Riots in Athens, Greece (1973) On November 18, 1973, students at the Athens Polytechnic held a protest against the ruling military dictatorship in Greece. The protests turned into riots, which were violently crushed by the government, leading to the deaths of an estimated 24 people.
  17. The Establishment of UNESCO (1945) The United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) was founded on November 18, 1945. UNESCO is a specialized agency of the UN, and its mission is to promote international collaboration through education, science, and culture to advance universal respect for justice, the rule of law, and human rights.
  18. The debut of Faust (selections) in US (1863) The United States premiere of selections from Charles Gounod's opera "Faust" took place on November 18, 1863. Performed in New York City, the opera tells the story of the aging scholar Faust who makes a deal with the devil to regain his youth.
  19. New Orleans Saints' first NFL victory (1967) On November 18, 1967, the New Orleans Saints achieved their first-ever NFL victory, defeating the Philadelphia Eagles with a score of 31-24. The win was a significant milestone for the Saints, who were in their inaugural season as a professional football team.
  20. Death of Chester A. Arthur, 21st US President (1886) On November 18, 1886, Chester A. Arthur, the 21st President of the United States, passed away after suffering a cerebral hemorrhage. Arthur served as Vice President under James A. Garfield and assumed the presidency upon Garfield's assassination in 1881.
  21. Ed Bradley passes away (2006) Renowned American journalist and television correspondent Ed Bradley passed away on November 18, 2006. Bradley was best known for his work on the CBS news magazine "60 Minutes" and for his distinguished career covering groundbreaking news stories.
  22. The Great Storm of 1703 (1703) One of the most severe storms in British history, the Great Storm of 1703, struck southern England on November 18, 1703. The storm caused massive devastation and is estimated to have killed at least 8,000 people.

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