What Happened On
Chappaquiddick
July 18, 1969
U.S. Senator Ted Kennedy drives his car off a bridge on Chappaquiddick island, Massachusetts. He swam to safety; however, his passenger Mary Jo Kopechne drowned in the car. He then spent the night in a hotel and reported the accident to police in the morning. He received a two-month suspended sentence and had his license suspended for leaving the scene of the accident.
The two had been attending a party for six girls that had served on Robert F. Kennedy's presidential campaign. Ted Kennedy stated Kopechne asked for a ride back to her hotel. Yet, she didn't bring her purse or hotel key with her, having left them at the party. According to Kennedy, he got lost and drove off the side of Dike Bridge, which had no guard rails. He attempted to rescue Kopechne, but was unable to. He then walked back to the party and enlisted the help of several others to rescue her. Unsuccessful, he then returned to his hotel room and went to bed, not notifying authorities until the following morning.
National Lampoon was sued for a satirical VW ad about this event.
Bonnie and Clyde
July 18, 1933
Clyde Barrow, Bonnie Parker, and their gang are confronted by law officers armed with Thompson submachine guns in Platte City, Missouri. The gang manages to shoot their way out using automatic rifles.
Hitler Publishes Mein Kampf
July 18, 1925
Adolf Hitler, the future German leader, publishes Volume 1 of Mein Kampf (German for "My Struggle"). It described how Hitler became anti-Semitic and outlined his political ideology and future plans for Germany.
Hitler wrote it while in prison for an unsuccessful attempt to overthrow the Bavarian government during the Beer Hall Putsch. Volume 2 was published the following year.
It became a bestseller, earning Hitler about 1.2 million Reichsmarks by 1933 (over 200 times the German average annual income). Mein Kampf would go on to earn Hitler 7.8 million Reichsmarks (about $190 million in current inflation-adjusted US dollars).
Hitler used these earnings to help finance his political ambitions. In 1934, one year after becoming Chancellor and failing to pay a tax bill of 405,494 Reichsmarks, he had himself declared tax-exempt.
Civil War - First African American to Earn the Medal of Honor
July 18, 1863
During the assault on Fort Wagner in Charleston, South Carolina, former slave and Union Sgt. William Harvey Carney, despite serious wounds, struggled across the battlefield carrying the Union flag. For his actions, he was awarded the Medal of Honor in 1900. His citation reads, "When the color sergeant was shot down, this soldier grasped the flag, led the way to the parapet, and planted the colors thereon. When the troops fell back he brought off the flag, under a fierce fire in which he was twice severely wounded."
Although his were the first actions for which a Medal of Honor was awarded to an African American, he wasn't awarded his medal until 1900, during which time other African Americans had received their award for actions which occurred after his heroics.
It is believed he escaped slavery via the Underground Railroad.
This battle is portrayed in the film Glory (1989).
Nero's Torches - The persecution of Christians by using them as "candlesticks"
Nero's Torches - The persecution of Christians by using them as "candlesticks"
Great Fire of Rome
July 18, A.D. 64
Two-thirds of Rome is destroyed. Emperor Nero blamed an obscure Jewish sect, the Christians, for the fire. This began the Roman persecution of Christians.
Legend has it Nero, an unpopular ruler, fiddled as it burned (although the fiddle wasn't invented until over a thousand years later, they did have other stringed instruments). The legend was probably started as a way to express how ineffectual a leader Nero was by showing he did nothing as his people suffered. There were other accounts that he sang about the destruction of Troy while watching the city burn; however, these are probably not true either.
Nero used the land cleared by the fire to build his Golden Palace and its surrounding gardens. This sparked rumors that he had the fire deliberately set for this purpose.
Couple Arrested After Being Videotaped Having Sex
July 18, 1991
They were having sex in the bathroom of his first-floor condominium when a boy reported to his mother that he could see them from the pool area. The neighbors videotaped them and called the police and they were subsequently arrested. See article.
McMurder
July 18, 1984
41-year-old James Oliver Huberty sets the record for killing by one man in a single day when he enters a San Diego McDonald's and kills 21 people and wounds 19 others before being killed by police.
25th Amendment
July 18, 1947
U.S. President Harry S. Truman signs the Presidential Succession Act, designating the Speaker of the House and Senate pro tempore next in succession to the U.S. president after the vice-president. It was ratified in 1967.
Wrong-Way Corrigan
July 18, 1938
American aviator Wrong-Way Corrigan lands in Ireland after making a nonstop transatlantic flight from N.Y. without a permit. He claimed he had intended to fly to Los Angeles, but had followed the wrong end of his compass.
He had repeatedly applied for a permit for a transatlantic flight, but was rejected because his airplane was deemed not airworthy.
Pope Pius IX
Pope Pius IX
Infallibility of the Pope
July 18, 1870
The Doctrine of Papal Infallibility is proclaimed by the Vatican Council and Pope Pius IX. This dogma of the Catholic Church states that, by virtue of the promise of Jesus to Peter, the Pope is preserved from the possibility of error when he defines a doctrine concerning faith or morals to be held by the whole Church. This holds not only that the Pope does not make errors, but that it is impossible for him to make an error.
Birthdays
Suiting up to become first American to orbit Earth
Suiting up to become first American to orbit Earth
John Glenn (John Herschel Glenn, Jr.)
Born July 18, 1921 d. 2016
American astronaut, U.S. Senator (1974-99, D-Ohio). He was the first American to orbit the Earth (1962), one of the original Mercury Seven test pilots selected to become America's first astronauts (1959). He was a fighter pilot in World War II and Korea, with six Distinguished Flying Crosses and eighteen clusters to the Air Medal.
Photo Credit: South Africa The Good News
Photo Credit: South Africa The Good News
Nelson Mandela
Born July 18, 1918 d. 2013
South African President (1994-99), Nobel-winning civil rights leader. He spent 27 years in prison for fighting apartheid. He and F.W. de Klerk shared the 1993 Nobel Peace Prize. He also established the first black law partnership in South Africa.
Red Skelton (Richard Skelton)
Born July 18, 1913 d. 1997
American comedian, known for his trademark signoff, "Good night and may God bless, thank you." Quote: "All men make mistakes, but married men find out about them sooner."
Skelton was also known for his artwork of clowns, with his paintings, prints, and lithographs earning over $2.5 million a year.
TV: The Red Skelton Show (1951-71, host).
The Unsinkable Molly Brown
Margaret Tobin Brown
Born July 18, 1867 d. 1932
American socialite. She was called "The Unsinkable Molly Brown" after surviving the sinking of the Titanic (1912). The 1960 Broadway musical and 1964 film The Unsinkable Molly Brown were based on her life.
Vin Diesel (Mark Vincent)
Born July 18, 1967
American actor. Film: Saving Private Ryan (1998), The Iron Giant (1999, voice of the Iron Giant), Pitch Black (2000), The Fast and the Furious (2001), and xXx (2002).
Elizabeth McGovern
Born July 18, 1961
American actress. Film: Ordinary People (1980).
Ricky Skaggs
Born July 18, 1954
American Grammy-winning country singer. Music: Crying My Heart Out Over You (1982, #1) and Country Music Association's 1985 Entertainer of the Year.
Sir Richard Branson (Richard Charles Nicholas Branson)
Born July 18, 1950
British billionaire, founder of the Virgin brand. He and Per Lindstrand were the first to cross the Atlantic in a hot air balloon (1987).
Martha and the Vandellas
Photo Credit: Bengt Nyman
Martha and the VandellasPhoto Credit: Bengt Nyman
Martha Reeves
Born July 18, 1941
American Hall of Fame R&B and pop singer. She is the lead singer for the Motown girl group Martha and the Vandellas.
Music: Come and Get These Memories (1962), Dancing In The Street (1964, #2), and Jimmy Mack (1966).
James Brolin
Born July 18, 1940
American actor. TV: Marcus Welby, M.D (Dr. Steven Kiley).
When the going gets weird, the weird turn pro
Hunter S. Thompson
Born July 18, 1937 d. 2005
American journalist, creator of Gonzo journalism. Writings: Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas (1972) which was later made into the movie.
Quote: "When the going gets weird, the weird turn pro."
Quote: "Paranoia is just another word for ignorance."
Burt Kwouk
Born July 18, 1930 d. 2016
British actor. Film: The Pink Panther films (1975-93, Clouseau's manservant Cato Fong), Goldfinger (1964, Mr. Ling), You Only Live Twice (1967, Japanese operative Spectre 3), and The Fiendish Plot of Dr. Fu Manchu (1980, cameo as a servant).
Dick Button
Born July 18, 1929
American world-champion figure skater, sportscaster. He pioneered the modern style of free skating. In 1948, he became the first U.S. athlete to win an Olympic gold medal in figure skating.
Thomas S. Kuhn
Born July 18, 1922 d. 1996
American science historian. His book, The Structure of Scientific Revolutions (1962), was one of the most influential books in 20th-century social sciences, humanities, and philosophy.
Hume Cronyn
Born July 18, 1911 d. 2003
Canadian Tony-winning actor, director. Film: The Postman Always Rings Twice (1946).
Andrei Andreyevich Gromyko
Born July 18, 1909 d. 1989
Soviet statesman. Director of Soviet affairs with the West for nearly 50 years.
Chill Wills
Born July 18, 1902 d. 1978
American actor, voice of Francis the talking mule.
Charles Erwin Wilson
Born July 18, 1890 d. 1961
American engineer, president of General Motors (1941-53), designed the motor for the first electric automobile starter, and as U.S. Secretary of Defense (1953-57) stated, "…what was good for the country was good for General Motors and vice versa."
William Makepeace Thackeray
Born July 18, 1811 d. 1863
English novelist. Writings: Vanity Fair (1847-48) and Pendennis (1850). Quote: "I never knew whether to pity or congratulate a man on coming to his senses."
Deaths
Photo Credit: Jim Wallace (Smithsonian Institution)
Photo Credit: Jim Wallace (Smithsonian Institution)
Bob Newhart
Died July 18, 2024 b. 1929
American Emmy and Grammy-winning comedian, actor. Newhart is known for deadpan, stammering delivery. His Grammy-winning comedy album, The Button-Down Mind of Bob Newhart (1960) was the first comedy album to make #1 on the Billboard charts. TV: The Bob Newhart Show (1972-78) and Newhart (1982-90).
Washington Crossing the Delaware
Washington Crossing the Delaware
Emanuel Leutze
Died July 18, 1868 b. 1816
German-born American painter. His paintings include Washington Crossing the Delaware, Washington at Monmouth, and Columbus before the Queen.
I Have Not Yet Begun to Fight
John Paul Jones
Died July 18, 1792 b. 1747
Scottish-born American naval officer. He is known for his famous proclamation, "I have not yet begun to fight", which was in response to demands for him to surrender during a naval battle in 1779 during the American Revolution. He eventually won the battle.
David Hedison (Albert David Hedison, Jr.)
Died July 18, 2019 b. 1927
American actor. Film: Live and Let Die (1973, CIA agent Felix Leiter) and Licence to Kill (1989, Felix Leiter).
General William Westmoreland
Died July 18, 2005 b. 1914
American General. He commanded the U.S. troops during the Vietnam War (1964-68). During his command of Vietnam forces, the U.S. military troop involvement rose from 16,000 to over 500,000. He employed a strategy of attrition on North Vietnam using U.S. military superiority to inflict heavy losses on them.
Forefather of Modern Winemaking
Émile Peynaud
Died July 18, 2004 b. 1912
French winemaker, called "the forefather of modern winemaking." While controversial and anti-traditional, his methods generally produced superior wines.
Jean Negulesco
Died July 18, 1993 b. 1900
Rumanian film director. Film: How to Marry a Millionaire (1953) and Three Coins in a Fountain (1954).
Rudolf Ising
Died July 18, 1992 b. 1903
American cartoonist. Co-founder of Looney Tunes and Merrie Melodies.
Chappaquiddick Drowning Victim
Mary Jo Kopechne
Died July 18, 1969 b. 1940
American teacher, secretary. She drowned when U.S. Senator Ted Kennedy drove his car off a bridge on Chappaquiddick Island.
The two had been attending a party for six girls that had served on Robert F. Kennedy's presidential campaign. Ted Kennedy stated Kopechne asked for a ride back to her hotel. Yet, she didn't bring her purse or hotel key with her, having left them at the party. According to Kennedy, he got lost and drove off the side of Dike Bridge, which had no guard rails. He attempted to rescue Kopechne, but was unable to. He then walked back to the party and enlisted the help of several others to rescue her. Unsuccessful, he then returned to his hotel room and went to bed, not notifying authorities until the following morning.
National Lampoon was sued for a satirical VW ad about this event.
Bobby Fuller
Died July 18, 1966 b. 1942
American singer, songwriter, formed The Bobby Fuller Four. Music: I Fought the Law (1966). He died in a mysterious car accident just as the group was taking off.
First Reigning Queen to Visit the US
Marie
Died July 18, 1938 b. 1875
Queen of Rumania (1922-38). She was the first reigning queen to visit the U.S. (1926).
Horatio Alger Jr.
Died July 18, 1899 b. 1832
American boy's author. His characters overcame adversity through hard work, determination, courage, and honesty.
Jane Austen
Died July 18, 1817 b. 1775
English novelist. Writings: Sense and Sensibility (1811) and Persuasion (1818).