March 18: What Happened on This Day in History
March 18th marks the 77th day of the Gregorian calendar year (or the 78th in case of leap years). There are 288 days remaining until the end of the year.
Discover what happened on March 18th in history, famous birthdays on March 18th, celebrities died on this day, the day of the week and the zodiac sign associated to March 18.
What happened on March 18?
Here's what happened on March 18th in history:
- 2013: On March 18, 2013, a series of coordinated bombings and shootings occurred across Iraq, resulting in at least 98 fatalities and over 240 injuries. The attacks targeted Shia civilians and Iraqi security forces, marking the tenth anniversary of the Iraq War. The Islamic State of Iraq claimed responsibility for the violence. source: en.wikipedia.org
- 2008: On March 18, 2008, the Federal Reserve announced a cut in interest rates by 0.75 percentage points in response to the ongoing financial crisis. This decision aimed to stimulate the economy and alleviate the effects of the credit crunch that was impacting financial markets and consumer spending. The move was part of a series of aggressive rate cuts during this period. source: federalreserve.gov
- 2006: On March 18, 2006, widespread protests erupted in France against the First Employment Contract (CPE), which was seen as undermining job security for young workers. The protests involved thousands of students and workers across the country. source: theguardian.com
- 1991: On March 18, 1991, the Kansas City Royals released outfielder Bo Jackson after determining that a severe hip injury sustained during a January NFL playoff game would prevent him from playing baseball that season. The injury, diagnosed as avascular necrosis, led to cartilage loss in his hip joint. source: upi.com
- 1990: On March 18, 1990, East Germany conducted its first free and fair parliamentary elections, marking a significant shift from its previous one-party rule. The conservative Alliance for Germany, advocating for rapid reunification with West Germany, secured 48.15% of the vote, just shy of an absolute majority in the 400-seat Volkskammer. The Social Democratic Party (SDP) followed with 21.84%, while the rebranded Socialist Unity Party, now the Party of Democratic Socialism (PDS), garnered 16.4%. This election set the stage for German reunification, which was realized later that year. source: washingtonpost.com
- 1987: In 1987, the most popular baby names in the United States were Michael and Jessica, with Michael leading for boys and Jessica for girls. These names were followed by Christopher and Matthew for boys, and Ashley and Amanda for girls. This trend reflects the cultural influences and naming preferences of that era. source: ssa.gov
- 1986: On March 18, 1986, the U.S. Treasury Department announced the first redesign of U.S. paper currency in over 50 years. The changes included a transparent stripe woven into the paper and small print around the bills' portraits to deter counterfeiting. These modifications aimed to address the threat posed by advanced photocopying technologies to the integrity of U.S. currency. source: washingtonpost.com
- 1983: On March 18, 1983, a 7.6 magnitude earthquake occurred southeast of New Ireland, Papua New Guinea, causing property damage, landslides, and a tsunami. The event was the largest earthquake in the world since a magnitude 7.9 quake in the Samoa Islands on September 1, 1981. source: pubs.usgs.gov
- 1978: On March 18, 1978, former Pakistani Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto was sentenced to death by the Lahore High Court for allegedly ordering the assassination of Ahmed Reza Kasuri, a founding member of the Pakistan Peoples Party. Bhutto's trial and subsequent execution in 1979 have been subjects of controversy, with claims of judicial bias and lack of due process. source: britannica.com
- 1975: Herbert Chitepo, a prominent Zimbabwean nationalist leader, was assassinated on March 18, 1975. His death marked a significant moment in the struggle for Zimbabwe's independence from colonial rule. source: britannica.com
What famous birthdays are on March 18?
On March 18th there are the following famous birthdays:
![Queen Latifah]()
Queen Latifah (1970)Queen Latifah is an American rapper, singer, actress, and producer who has had a groundbreaking career in music, film, and television. She is regarded as a pioneering female figure in hip-hop and has achieved significant acclaim for her diverse roles in entertainment. [bio]
![Adam Levine]()
Adam Levine (1979)Adam Levine is an American singer, songwriter, and television personality, best known as the lead vocalist of the pop rock band Maroon 5. He has gained widespread fame for his distinctive voice, chart-topping hits, and high-profile presence as a coach on 'The Voice.' [bio]
![Charley Pride]()
Charley Pride (1934)Charley Pride was a pioneering African American country music singer known for breaking racial barriers in the genre. He became the first Black superstar in country music, selling more than 20 million records worldwide and winning multiple Grammy Awards. Pride is celebrated for his smooth baritone voice and his string of chart-topping hits during the late 1960s and 1970s. [bio]
![Vanessa Williams]()
Vanessa Williams (1963)Vanessa Williams is an American singer, actress, and former beauty queen who gained fame as the first African American woman to be crowned Miss America in 1983. She later had a successful career in music, television, and film. [bio]
![Sutton Foster]()
Sutton Foster (1975)Sutton Foster is an acclaimed American actress, singer, and dancer, best known for her work on the Broadway stage. She has earned critical acclaim and multiple Tony Awards for her performances and has also appeared on television in leading roles. [bio]
![Peter Graves]()
Peter Graves (1926)Peter Graves was an acclaimed American actor best known for his role as Jim Phelps in the television series "Mission: Impossible" and as Captain Clarence Oveur in the comedy film "Airplane!". His distinctive voice and commanding presence made him a recognizable figure in both film and television over a career spanning more than five decades. [bio]
![Wilson Pickett]()
Wilson Pickett (1941)Wilson Pickett was an influential American singer and songwriter, best known for his role in shaping the sound of soul and R&B music in the 1960s and 1970s. Nicknamed "Wicked Pickett," he was known for his powerful, passionate vocals and energetic performances. [bio]
![Luc Besson]()
Luc Besson (1959)Luc Besson is a renowned French film director, screenwriter, and producer best known for his contributions to the action and science fiction genres, particularly through internationally acclaimed films like 'Léon: The Professional,' 'The Fifth Element,' and 'Lucy.' [bio]
![Dane Cook]()
![Irene Cara]()
Irene Cara (1959)Irene Cara was an American singer, songwriter, and actress best known for her hit songs "Fame" and "Flashdance... What a Feeling." She gained international fame in the early 1980s and won both an Academy Award and a Grammy. [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 March 18?
On March 18th the following celebrities died:
![Natasha Richardson]()
Natasha Richardson (2009)Natasha Richardson was an English actress, known for her work on stage and in film. Born into the famous Redgrave acting family, she was celebrated for her performances in both classical and contemporary roles. Richardson earned acclaim on Broadway and in Hollywood, remembered especially for her versatile acting talents and her tragic early death. [bio]
![Lauritz Melchior]()
Lauritz Melchior (1973)Lauritz Melchior was a renowned Danish-American operatic tenor, widely regarded as one of the greatest Wagnerian heldentenors of the 20th century. He achieved international fame performing at leading opera houses, including the Metropolitan Opera and Bayreuth Festival, and was celebrated for his powerful voice and commanding stage presence. [bio]
![Fess Parker]()
Fess Parker (2010)Fess Parker was an American actor and businessman best known for his portrayals of frontiersmen Davy Crockett and Daniel Boone in popular television series of the 1950s and 1960s. [bio]
![Michael Attwell]()
![Chuck Berry]()
Chuck Berry (2017)Legendary rock and roll pioneer, guitarist, singer, and songwriter who profoundly influenced popular music and rock culture.
![Eleftherios Venizelos]()
Eleftherios Venizelos (1936)Eleftherios Venizelos was a prominent Greek statesman and entrepreneur who played a significant role in the development of modern Greece.
![William Herndon]()
William Herndon (1891)William Herndon was an American lawyer and biographer who was best known for his biography of Abraham Lincoln.
![Erich Fromm]()
Erich Fromm (1980)Renowned German social psychologist, psychoanalyst, and humanistic philosopher who significantly influenced 20th-century critical theory and...
![Bernard Malamud]()
Bernard Malamud (1986)Renowned Pulitzer Prize-winning American novelist known for masterpieces like 'The Natural' and 'The Fixer', who significantly contributed...
What day of the year is March 18?
March 18th marks the 77th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (or the 78th in case of leap years).
There are 288 days remaining until the end of the year.
March 18th is the 18th day of the month of March.
What zodiac sign is associated with the day March 18?
The zodiac sign associated with March 18th is Pisces according to the Western Zodiac.
