On This Day: 18 July

18 July in Indian history

• 1996Battle of Mullaitivu: The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam capture the Sri Lanka Army's base, killing over 1,200 soldiers.India

18 July in world history

• 2014The Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant requires Christians to either accept dhimmi status, emigrate from ISIL lands, or be killed.
• 2012A suicide bomber attacked an Israeli tour bus at Burgas Airport, Bulgaria, resulting in the military branch of Hezbollah being designated a terrorist organization by the European Union.
• 2002A Consolidated PB4Y-2 Privateer crashes near Estes Park, Colorado, killing both crew members.
• 1994Rwandan genocide: The Rwandan Patriotic Front takes control of Gisenyi and north western Rwanda, forcing the interim government into Zaire and ending the genocide.
• 1994The bombing of the Asociación Mutual Israelita Argentina (Argentine Jewish Community Center) in Buenos Aires kills 85 people (mostly Jewish) and injures 300.
• 1989American actress Rebecca Schaeffer was shot and killed by Robert John Bardo, eventually prompting the passage of anti-stalking laws in California.
• 1976At the Olympic Games in Montreal, Nadia Comăneci became the first gymnast to score a perfect 10 for her routine on the uneven bars.
• 1966Angered by racism and poverty, African American residents of the Hough neighborhood of Cleveland began to riot for six days.
• 1966Human spaceflight: Gemini 10 is launched from Cape Kennedy on a 70-hour mission that includes docking with an orbiting Agena target vehicle.
• 1949Francisco Javier Arana, the chief of the Guatemalan armed forces, was killed in a shootout with supporters of President Juan José Arévalo.
• 1936Nationalist rebels attempted a coup against the Second Spanish Republic, sparking the Spanish Civil War.
• 1863American Civil War: Led by Colonel Robert Gould Shaw, the 54th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment, one of the first African-American military units in the Union Army, spearheaded an assault on Fort Wagner, South Carolina.
• 1723Johann Sebastian Bach directed the first performance of his cantata Erforsche mich, Gott, und erfahre mein Herz in Leipzig.
• 1555The College of Arms is reincorporated by Royal charter signed by Queen Mary I of England and King Philip II of Spain.
• 1389France and England agree to the Truce of Leulinghem, inaugurating a 13-year peace, the longest period of sustained peace during the Hundred Years' War.
• 1334The bishop of Florence blesses the first foundation stone for the new campanile (bell tower) of the Florence Cathedral, designed by the artist Giotto di Bondone.
• 1195Battle of Alarcos: Almohad forces defeat the Castilian army of Alfonso VIII and force its retreat to Toledo.

Born on 18 July

• 1982Priyanka Chopra, Indian actress, singer, and film producerIndia
• 1950Jack Dongarra, American computer scientist and academic
• 1939Jerry Moore, American football player and coach
• 1935Jayendra Saraswathi, Indian guru, 69th Shankaracharya (died 2018)India
• 1906Clifford Odets, American director, playwright, and screenwriter (died 1963)
• 1861Kadambini Ganguly, Indian physician, one of the first Indian women to obtain a degree (died 1923)India

Died on 18 July

• 2023Oommen Chandy, Indian politician, former Chief Minister of Kerala (born 1943)India
• 2013Vaali, Indian poet, songwriter, and actor (born 1931)India
• 1892Thomas Cook, English travel agent, founded the Thomas Cook Group (born 1808)
• 1270Boniface of Savoy, Archbishop of Canterbury

Frequently asked questions

What happened on 18 July in history?

2014: The Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant requires Christians to either accept dhimmi status, emigrate from ISIL lands, or be killed. 2012: A suicide bomber attacked an Israeli tour bus at Burgas Airport, Bulgaria, resulting in the military branch of Hezbollah being designated a terrorist organization by the European Union. 2002: A Consolidated PB4Y-2 Privateer crashes near Estes Park, Colorado, killing both crew members. 1996: Battle of Mullaitivu: The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam capture the Sri Lanka Army's base, killing over 1,200 soldiers.

What happened on 18 July in Indian history?

1996: Battle of Mullaitivu: The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam capture the Sri Lanka Army's base, killing over 1,200 soldiers.

Which famous people were born on 18 July?

Priyanka Chopra, Indian actress, singer, and film producer (1982); Jack Dongarra, American computer scientist and academic (1950); Jerry Moore, American football player and coach (1939); Jayendra Saraswathi, Indian guru, 69th Shankaracharya (died 2018) (1935).

Which day is observed on 18 July?

Nelson Mandela International Day; Constitution Day (Uruguay); Nelson Mandela International Day.