April 18: What Happened on This Day in History
April 18th marks the 108th day of the Gregorian calendar year (or the 109th in case of leap years). There are 257 days remaining until the end of the year.
Discover what happened on April 18th in history, famous birthdays on April 18th, celebrities died on this day, the day of the week and the zodiac sign associated to April 18.
What happened on April 18?
Here's what happened on April 18th in history:
- 2018: On April 18, 2018, Saudi Arabia announced the lifting of a 35-year ban on cinemas, allowing movie theaters to operate in the country. This decision was part of a broader initiative to modernize the Saudi economy and promote entertainment options for its citizens. The first cinema opened in early 2018, marking a significant cultural shift. source: bbc.com
- 2016: On April 18, 2016, Houston experienced severe flooding due to heavy rainfall, leading to significant property damage and disruptions. Emergency services were deployed to assist affected residents and manage the crisis. source: nbcnews.com
- 2015: On April 18, 2015, a migrant boat capsized in the Mediterranean Sea, resulting in the deaths of at least 400 people. This tragedy highlighted the ongoing migrant crisis and the dangers faced by refugees attempting to reach Europe. source: bbc.com
- 2012: On April 18, 2012, North Korea rejected criticism from the United Nations regarding its recent actions, including its controversial rocket launch. The UN had condemned the launch as a violation of international resolutions, but North Korea dismissed the criticism, asserting its right to pursue space exploration. source: reuters.com
- 1997: The Battle of Dybbøl, a significant conflict during the Second Schleswig War, is remembered on its anniversary. The battle was fought between Danish and Prussian forces, leading to a decisive Prussian victory. source: britannica.com
- 1992: On April 18, 1992, South Africa played its first Test cricket match after the end of apartheid, against India at the Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg. This match symbolized a new era in South African sports and was a significant moment in the country's transition to democracy. source: bbc.com
- 1989: The Tiananmen Square protests officially began on April 18, 1989, as students and citizens gathered to demand political reform and freedom of speech. This movement would escalate over the following weeks, leading to significant political repercussions in China. source: bbc.com
- 1976: On April 18, 1976, New York City recorded an unprecedented high temperature of 95 degrees Fahrenheit. This record-setting heat wave was part of a broader trend of unusual weather patterns during that spring. source: nytimes.com
- 1970: On April 18, 1970, President Nixon awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom to the Apollo 13 Mission Operations Team in recognition of their efforts during the mission's crisis. source: nasa.gov
- 1969: On April 18, 1969, Susan Polgár, a renowned chess player, was born. She is celebrated for her achievements in the game, including being the youngest female ever to earn the title of International Grandmaster. source: en.wikipedia.org
What famous birthdays are on April 18?
On April 18th there are the following famous birthdays:
![James Woods]()
James Woods (1947)James Woods is an American actor and producer renowned for his intense performances in film, television, and theater. With a career spanning over five decades, Woods is known for his portrayals of complex and often morally ambiguous characters. [bio]
![David Tennant]()
David Tennant (1971)David Tennant is a Scottish actor best known for his roles in television, theatre, and film, particularly as the Tenth Doctor in the renowned BBC science fiction series 'Doctor Who'. He has also received acclaim for performances in 'Broadchurch', 'Good Omens', and has a distinguished stage career with the Royal Shakespeare Company. [bio]
![Conan [Christopher] O'Brien]()
Conan [Christopher] O'Brien (1963)Conan O'Brien is an American television host, comedian, writer, and producer, renowned for his work in late-night television. He is known for hosting 'Late Night with Conan O'Brien,' 'The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien,' and 'Conan' on TBS. With a quick wit and distinctive comedic style, O'Brien has become one of the most influential figures in American comedy and talk … [bio]
![America Ferrera]()
America Ferrera (1984)America Ferrera is an acclaimed American actress, producer, and director, best known for her starring role as Betty Suarez in the television series 'Ugly Betty,' for which she won numerous accolades, including a Primetime Emmy Award and a Golden Globe. She has also featured in films such as 'Real Women Have Curves,' 'The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants,' and voiced … [bio]
![Hayley Mills]()
Hayley Mills (1946)Hayley Mills is an English actress who rose to fame as a child star in the late 1950s and 1960s, particularly for her roles in Disney films such as 'Pollyanna' and 'The Parent Trap.' She won a special Academy Award for her early acting achievements and has maintained a successful film, television, and theatre career. [bio]
![Rick Moranis]()
Rick Moranis (1953)Rick Moranis is a Canadian actor, comedian, musician, songwriter, and writer, best known for his roles in 1980s and 1990s comedy films such as 'Ghostbusters,' 'Spaceballs,' 'Little Shop of Horrors,' and 'Honey, I Shrunk the Kids.' He began his career as a radio disc jockey before becoming a prominent figure on the sketch comedy show 'Second City Television' (SCTV). Moranis … [bio]
![Vanessa Kirby]()
Vanessa Kirby (1988)Vanessa Kirby is an acclaimed English actress best known for her roles in film, television, and stage. She gained international recognition for her portrayal of Princess Margaret in Netflix's "The Crown" and has also starred in major films such as 'Mission: Impossible' and 'The World to Come.' [bio]
![Clarence Darrow]()
Clarence Darrow (1857)Clarence Darrow was a prominent American lawyer and leading member of the American Civil Liberties Union, best known for his involvement in several high-profile cases including the Scopes 'Monkey' Trial and the defense of Leopold and Loeb. [bio]
![Melissa Joan Hart]()
Melissa Joan Hart (1976)Melissa Joan Hart is an American actress, producer, and director best known for her starring roles in popular television series such as 'Clarissa Explains It All' and 'Sabrina the Teenage Witch.' She became a household name as a leading young actress on Nickelodeon and ABC, with a career spanning acting, directing, and production credits in various television and film projects. [bio]
![Eric McCormack]()
Eric McCormack (1963)Eric McCormack is a Canadian-American actor and singer best known for his role as Will Truman in the NBC sitcom 'Will & Grace,' earning critical acclaim and several awards over the show's long run. [bio]
![Conan [Christopher] O'Brien](https://None.s3.amazonaws.com/person/pictures/44780-conan-christopher-obrien-in-brookline.jpg)
How to check someone's birthday?
If you’re looking for a person's birth date, have a look at our Birthday Search Guide
Who died on April 18?
On April 18th the following celebrities died:
![Albert Einstein]()
Albert Einstein (1955)Albert Einstein was a German-born theoretical physicist, regarded as one of the most influential scientists of the 20th century. He developed the special theory of relativity in 1905 and the general theory of relativity in 1915, fundamentally transforming the understanding of physics. Einstein was awarded the 1921 Nobel Prize in Physics for his explanation of the photoelectric effect, which was … [bio]
![Dick Clark]()
Dick Clark (2012)Dick Clark was an American radio and television personality, television producer, and cultural icon. He was best known for hosting American Bandstand, a groundbreaking music performance and dance television program, and for his long-running role as host of Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve. [bio]
![Pierre Desproges]()
Pierre Desproges (1988)Pierre Desproges was a French humorist, best known for his incisive, darkly satirical wit, influential performances on radio and television, and his bestselling books. He became one of the most original and revered voices in French comedy during the late 20th century. [bio]
![Betty Compson]()
![George Balanchine]()
George Balanchine (1983)Legendary Russian-American choreographer who revolutionized ballet by liberating it from traditional 19th-century symmetrical forms.
![Bruno Sammartino]()
Bruno Sammartino (2018)Bruno Sammartino was an iconic Italian-American professional wrestler who dominated the WWE (then WWF) in the 1960s and 1970s, holding the...
![Ernie Pyle]()
Ernie Pyle (1945)Legendary World War II war correspondent who won the Pulitzer Prize in 1943 and was killed in action in Okinawa.
![Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney]()
Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney (1942)Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney was an American sculptor, art patron, and the founder of the Whitney Museum of American Art in New York City.
![Thor Heyerdahl]()
Thor Heyerdahl (2002)Famous Norwegian ethnographer, adventurer, and archaeologist known for his Kon-Tiki expedition across the Pacific Ocean.
What day of the year is April 18?
April 18th marks the 108th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (or the 109th in case of leap years).
There are 257 days remaining until the end of the year.
April 18th is the 18th day of the month of April.
What day of the week is April 18?
On April 18th, 2026 the day of the week is Saturday.
What zodiac sign is associated with the day April 18?
The zodiac sign associated with April 18th is Aries according to the Western Zodiac.
