July 18: What Happened on This Day in History
July 18th marks the 199th day of the Gregorian calendar year (or the 200th in case of leap years). There are 166 days remaining until the end of the year.
Discover what happened on July 18th in history, famous birthdays on July 18th, celebrities died on this day, the day of the week and the zodiac sign associated to July 18.
What happened on July 18?
Here's what happened on July 18th in history:
- 2021: Taliban leader Hibatullah Akhundzada publicly expressed a preference for a political resolution to the ongoing conflict with the Afghan Government, despite the Taliban's significant territorial advances. He emphasized that the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan remains committed to finding a stable political solution, even as military gains continue to accumulate.
- 2014: On July 18, 2014, it was confirmed that Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 was shot down over Ukraine, leading to international outrage and calls for accountability. The incident was linked to the ongoing conflict in the region. source: bbc.com
- 2004: On July 18, 2004, U.S. President George W. Bush expressed skepticism about the feasibility of establishing a Palestinian state by the 2005 deadline, suggesting that the timetable was unrealistic and that the creation of a Palestinian state should not be further postponed. source: aljazeera.com
- 2002: Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam was elected as the 11th President of India, serving from 2002 to 2007.
- 1995: The Soufrière Hills volcano erupted on July 18, 1995, leading to significant ashfall and the evacuation of residents on the Caribbean island of Montserrat. This eruption marked the beginning of a prolonged volcanic crisis on the island. source: usgs.gov
- 1994: Crayola announced the launch of its "Magic Scents" line of crayons, which released fragrances such as orange, strawberry, chocolate, licorice, bubble gum, rose, and "fresh air" when applied to paper. This innovation aimed to enhance the coloring experience by engaging multiple senses. source: upi.com
- 1988: Nico, the influential German singer and avant-garde artist known for her work with The Velvet Underground, passed away on July 18, 1988. Her contributions to music and art left a lasting impact on the avant-garde scene. source: britannica.com
- 1985: On July 18, 1985, the Soviet Union conducted an underground nuclear test at the Semipalatinsk test site in Kazakhstan. The test was part of the Soviet Union's nuclear weapons development program. source: upi.com
- 1981: On July 18, 1981, a Soviet Air Defense Forces Sukhoi Su-15 collided with the tail of a Transporte Aéreo Rioplatense Canadair CL-44 commercial transport aircraft that had strayed into Soviet airspace over the Armenian Soviet Socialist Republic. The three crew members and one passenger aboard the Argentine aircraft died; the Soviet pilot ejected to safety. source: en.wikipedia.org
- 1966: NASA's Gemini 10 mission launched on July 18, 1966, with astronauts John W. Young and Michael Collins aboard. The mission achieved a rendezvous and docking with the Agena Target Vehicle (GATV-10), marking the second successful dual launch and docking in the Gemini program. The crew also performed two extravehicular activities (EVAs) and conducted scientific experiments during their three-day flight. source: nasa.gov
What famous birthdays are on July 18?
On July 18th there are the following famous birthdays:
![Nelson Mandela]()
Nelson Mandela (1918)Nelson Mandela was a South African anti-apartheid revolutionary, political leader, and philanthropist, who served as President of South Africa from 1994 to 1999. He was the country's first Black head of state and the first elected in a fully representative democratic election. [bio]
![Vin Diesel]()
Vin Diesel (1967)Vin Diesel is an American actor, producer, director, and screenwriter, best known for his roles in action films, particularly the Fast & Furious franchise where he plays Dominic Toretto. With a distinctive deep voice and muscular build, Diesel has become a prominent figure in Hollywood action cinema. [bio]
![Canelo Álvarez]()
Canelo Álvarez (1990)Canelo Álvarez is a Mexican professional boxer acclaimed as one of the most successful and skilled fighters of his era. He has won multiple world championships across four different weight divisions, known for his technical prowess, ring intelligence, and powerful punches. [bio]
![Richard Branson]()
Richard Branson (1950)Richard Branson is a renowned British entrepreneur best known for founding the Virgin Group, which controls more than 400 companies in various sectors including music, airlines, telecommunications, and space travel. Branson is celebrated for his innovative business strategies and adventurous spirit, frequently engaging in record-setting attempts and publicity stunts. His business journey began with the publication of a student magazine … [bio]
![John Glenn]()
John Glenn (1921)John Glenn was an American astronaut, aviator, engineer, and United States senator, best known for being the first American to orbit the Earth and later serving for over two decades in the U.S. Senate. [bio]
![Kristen Bell]()
Kristen Bell (1980)Kristen Bell is an American actress and singer, best known for her roles in television series such as 'Veronica Mars' and 'The Good Place', as well as for voicing Anna in Disney's 'Frozen' franchise. [bio]
![Red Skelton]()
Red Skelton (1913)Red Skelton was an American entertainer best known for his radio and television variety show, 'The Red Skelton Show,' which ran for over two decades. He was renowned for his physical comedy, character sketches, and clown persona, earning a lasting legacy in the world of comedy. [bio]
![Elizabeth McGovern]()
Elizabeth McGovern (1961)Elizabeth McGovern is an American actress and musician known for her performances in both film and television. She is particularly noted for her Academy Award-nominated role in 'Ragtime' and her portrayal of Cora Crawley, Countess of Grantham, in the acclaimed British drama series 'Downton Abbey.' [bio]
![Elizabeth Gilbert]()
Elizabeth Gilbert (1969)Elizabeth Gilbert is an acclaimed American author best known for her memoir 'Eat, Pray, Love', which has sold over 12 million copies and been translated into more than 30 languages. Her works often blend memoir and fiction, focusing on personal growth and self-discovery. [bio]
![Paul Verhoeven]()
Paul Verhoeven (1938)Paul Verhoeven is a renowned Dutch film director, screenwriter, and producer known for blending graphic violence, satire, and social commentary in his films. He has directed both Dutch and Hollywood films, achieving international recognition for his explicit and provocative storytelling style. [bio]
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 July 18?
On July 18th the following celebrities died:
![Alex Rocco]()
Alex Rocco (2015)Alex Rocco was an American actor best known for his role as Moe Greene in the classic film 'The Godfather.' Recognized for his distinctive raspy voice and his frequent portrayals of gangsters and tough guys, Rocco’s acting career spanned film, television, and voice work. [bio]
![Jack Hawkins]()
Jack Hawkins (1973)Jack Hawkins was a distinguished English actor noted for his commanding presence in British cinema, particularly during the 1950s and 1960s. He was acclaimed for his roles in epic films such as 'The Bridge on the River Kwai,' 'Ben-Hur,' and 'Lawrence of Arabia,' often portraying military officers and figures of authority. [bio]
![Machine Kelly]()
Machine Kelly (1954)Machine Gun Kelly (MGK) is a prominent American rapper, singer, and actor known for his dynamic rap style, crossover into rock music, and...
![Rajesh Khanna]()
Rajesh Khanna (2012)Legendary Bollywood actor who dominated Indian cinema in the late 1960s and early 1970s, known as the 'first superstar' who revolutionized...
![Eugene Shoemaker]()
Eugene Shoemaker (1997)Renowned American astrogeologist who co-discovered Comet Shoemaker-Levy 9, which dramatically collided with Jupiter in 1994.
![Nico (singer)]()
Nico (singer) (1988)Nico was a German singer, songwriter, and actress who gained significant recognition for her collaboration with the Velvet Underground and...
![Oskar Minkowski]()
Oskar Minkowski (1931)Oskar Minkowski was a German physician who, along with Joseph von Mering, discovered the role of the pancreas in diabetes.
![Fabio Casartelli]()
Fabio Casartelli (1995)Italian professional cyclist who tragically died during the 1995 Tour de France after winning an Olympic gold medal in 1992.
What day of the year is July 18?
July 18th marks the 199th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (or the 200th in case of leap years).
There are 166 days remaining until the end of the year.
July 18th is the 18th day of the month of July.
What day of the week is July 18?
On July 18th, 2026 the day of the week is Saturday.
| July | 2026 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun |
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | ||
| 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 |
| 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 |
| 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 |
| 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 31 | ||
What zodiac sign is associated with the day July 18?
The zodiac sign associated with July 18th is Cancer according to the Western Zodiac.
