May 18: What Happened on This Day in History
May 18th marks the 138th day of the Gregorian calendar year (or the 139th in case of leap years). There are 227 days remaining until the end of the year.
Discover what happened on May 18th in history, famous birthdays on May 18th, celebrities died on this day, the day of the week and the zodiac sign associated to May 18.
What happened on May 18?
Here's what happened on May 18th in history:
- 2022: On May 18, 2022, a significant armed conflict erupted in the Gorno-Badakhshan region of Tajikistan. Approximately 200 anti-government militants strategically blocked a critical road connecting Tajikistan to China. The militants, equipped with firearms and petrol bombs, subsequently ambushed a security convoy on the same route. The confrontation resulted in a violent exchange, with eight militants killed and one security officer losing their life. Additionally, 13 officers were wounded, and over 70 militants were arrested. The Tajik interior ministry characterized the attack as a deliberate attempt to destabilize the social and political landscape of the region, highlighting the ongoing tensions in this strategically important area.
- 2017: On May 18, 2017, reports emerged of an ISIS attack in Syria's Hama Governorate, where militants reportedly killed at least 30 people, including civilians and pro-government fighters, in a series of assaults. source: reuters.com
- 2009: On May 18, 2009, Sri Lankan military forces declared the end of the civil war with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). The announcement followed the capture of the last LTTE-controlled area, marking the conclusion of a 26-year conflict. source: aljazeera.com
- 2005: On May 18, 2005, Uzbek authorities reported that the border town of Qorasuv was under control of a new Islamic administration led by Baxtiyor Rahimov, following unrest in the region. source: en.wikipedia.org
- 2003: On May 18, 2003, Indonesian President Megawati Sukarnoputri imposed martial law in Aceh province, authorizing military action against separatist rebels following the collapse of peace talks in Tokyo. source: dawn.com
- 1980: The eruption of Mount St. Helens on May 18, 1980, was a significant volcanic event in the United States, resulting in the most destructive volcanic eruption in U.S. history. It caused widespread devastation, including the destruction of over 200 homes and the loss of 57 lives. The eruption was preceded by a two-month series of earthquakes and steam-venting episodes, leading to a major explosive eruption that reshaped the surrounding landscape. source: usgs.gov
- 1979: On May 18, 1979, President Jimmy Carter had a notable encounter with a rabbit while fishing in a canoe on a pond in Plains, Georgia. The rabbit reportedly swam toward the canoe, prompting Carter to splash water in an attempt to scare it away. This incident became a quirky moment in presidential history, often referenced in discussions about Carter's presidency. source: history.com
- 1974: On May 18, 1974, India successfully detonated its first nuclear device, codenamed 'Smiling Buddha', in the Pokhran Test Range of Rajasthan. This event marked India's entry into the group of nuclear-armed nations. source: history.com
- 1971: On May 18, 1971, President Richard Nixon rejected demands from the Congressional Black Caucus for increased federal funding for social programs aimed at African Americans. This decision was part of a broader context of Nixon's administration's approach to civil rights and social welfare. source: nytimes.com
- 1969: Apollo 10, the fourth crewed mission in NASA's Apollo program, was launched on 18 May 1969 at 16:49 UTC from Kennedy Space Center's Launch Complex 39B. The mission served as a 'dress rehearsal' for the first Moon landing, testing all components and procedures except the actual landing. source: nasa.gov
What famous birthdays are on May 18?
On May 18th there are the following famous birthdays:
![Pope John Paul II]()
Pope John Paul II (1920)Pope John Paul II, born Karol Józef Wojtyła, was the head of the Roman Catholic Church and sovereign of the Vatican City State from 1978 to 2005. He was the first non-Italian pope in 455 years and was recognized for his efforts to improve the Catholic Church's relations with Judaism, Islam, and the Eastern Orthodox Church, as well as his … [bio]
![George Strait]()
George Strait (1952)George Strait is an American country music singer, songwriter, actor, and music producer, widely considered one of the most influential and popular recording artists of all time in country music. Known as the 'King of Country,' he is celebrated for his neotraditionalist country style, cowboy image, and his consistent success on the country music charts. [bio]
![Tina Fey]()
![Nicholas II]()
Nicholas II (1868)Nicholas II was the last Emperor of Russia, reigning from 1894 until his abdication in 1917. He presided over the Russian Empire during a period of significant turmoil, which included the Russo-Japanese War, the 1905 Revolution, and World War I. His reign ended with the Russian Revolution, and he and his family were executed by Bolsheviks in 1918. [bio]
![Pernell Roberts]()
Pernell Roberts (1928)Pernell Roberts was an American actor and singer, best known for his role as Adam Cartwright, the eldest son, in the classic TV series "Bonanza" and later as the title character in the medical drama "Trapper John, M.D.". His career spanned television, film, and stage, earning him critical acclaim and a lasting legacy in American entertainment. [bio]
![Perry Como]()
Perry Como (1912)Perry Como was an American singer, actor, and television personality, famous for his smooth, easy-listening style and relaxed vocal performances. With a career spanning more than 50 years, he became one of the most celebrated crooners of the 20th century, known for hits like 'Catch a Falling Star' and 'Magic Moments.' [bio]
![Mark Mothersbaugh]()
Mark Mothersbaugh (1950)Mark Mothersbaugh is an American musician, composer, singer, and record producer best known as the co-founder and lead singer of the new wave band Devo. He is also a prolific composer for film and television, notably working on soundtracks for 'Rugrats', 'The Lego Movie', and 'Thor: Ragnarok'. [bio]
![Miriam Margolyes]()
Miriam Margolyes (1941)Miriam Margolyes is a British-Australian actress and voice artist, known for her extensive work in television, film, and stage. Renowned for her character roles, she has received numerous awards and garnered wide recognition, especially for her appearances in the Harry Potter film series and as a distinctive voice in animation. [bio]
![Dwayne Hickman]()
Dwayne Hickman (1934)Dwayne Hickman was an American actor and television executive, best known for his role as Dobie Gillis in the popular CBS sitcom 'The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis'. He became a familiar face in American households through his television roles in the 1950s and 1960s, later transitioning to work as a television director and CBS programming executive. [bio]
![Robert Morse]()
Robert Morse (1931)Robert Morse was an American actor and singer, best known for his Tony Award-winning performance in 'How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying' and for his role as Bertram Cooper in the acclaimed television series 'Mad Men.' [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 May 18?
On May 18th the following celebrities died:
![Chris Cornell]()
Chris Cornell (2017)Chris Cornell was an influential American rock singer, songwriter, and guitarist, best known as the lead vocalist for the bands Soundgarden and Audioslave. Renowned for his powerful, wide-ranging voice and dynamic stage presence, Cornell played a major role in the development and popularization of the grunge movement in the early 1990s. [bio]
![Charles Grodin]()
Charles Grodin (2021)Charles Grodin was an American actor, comedian, author, and television talk show host, known for his deadpan delivery and roles in both films and television. He gained fame with performances in movies like 'The Heartbreak Kid,' 'Midnight Run,' and the 'Beethoven' series. [bio]
![Jill Ireland]()
Jill Ireland (1990)Jill Ireland was an English actress and singer best known for her extensive film and television work in the 1950s through the 1980s, as well as for her marriage to actor Charles Bronson. She was recognized both for her talent on screen and for her personal battle with breast cancer, which she chronicled in books and public appearances. [bio]
![Alexander Godunov]()
Alexander Godunov (1995)Alexander Godunov was a renowned Russian-American ballet dancer and film actor, famous for his work with the Bolshoi Ballet and his roles in Hollywood films after defecting from the Soviet Union. [bio]
![William Saroyan]()
William Saroyan (1981)William Saroyan was an acclaimed Armenian-American novelist, playwright, and short story writer. He is best known for his works celebrating the resilience and humanity of ordinary people, and he earned both a Pulitzer Prize and an Academy Award during his prolific career. [bio]
![Edwina Booth]()
Edwina Booth (1991)Edwina Booth was an American actress best known for her role as the leading lady in the 1931 adventure film 'Trader Horn.' She gained notoriety for her performance and for suffering severe illness during filming in Africa, which effectively ended her film career. [bio]
![Elisha Cook]()
Elisha Cook (1995)Elisha Cook Jr. was an American character actor best known for his roles in classic film noirs and crime dramas. Over a career spanning more than six decades, he was recognized for his portrayals of nervous, frightened, or cowardly characters, particularly in films of the 1940s and 1950s. [bio]
![Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau]()
Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau (2012)Renowned German baritone who was a leading classical music interpreter of the 20th century, famous for his exceptional lieder performances...
![Daws Butler]()
Daws Butler (1988)Legendary American voice actor famous for iconic cartoon characters like Yogi Bear and Huckleberry Hound, who significantly influenced...
![Elizabeth Montgomery]()
Elizabeth Montgomery (1995)Iconic television actress best known for her starring role in 'Bewitched', a groundbreaking sitcom that aired from 1964 to 1972.
What day of the year is May 18?
May 18th marks the 138th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (or the 139th in case of leap years).
There are 227 days remaining until the end of the year.
May 18th is the 18th day of the month of May.
What day of the week is May 18?
On May 18th, 2026 the day of the week is Monday.
| May | 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 May 18?
The zodiac sign associated with May 18th is Taurus according to the Western Zodiac.
