18
April
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April 18 in History
2007
The Supreme Court of the United States upholds the Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Act in a 5-4 decision.
1996
In Lebanon, at least 106 civilians are killed when the Israel Defense Forces shell the UN compound at Quana where more than 800 civilians had taken refuge.
1992
General Abdul Rashid Dostum revolts against President Mohammad Najibullah of the Democratic Republic of Afghanistan and allies with Ahmed Shah Massoud to capture Kabul.
1988
The United States launches Operation Praying Mantis against Iranian naval forces in the largest naval battle since World War II.
1983
A suicide bomber destroys the United States embassy in Beirut, Lebanon, killing 63 people.
1981
The longest professional baseball game is begun in Pawtucket, Rhode Island. The game was suspended at 4:00 the next morning and finally completed on June 23.
1980
The Republic of Zimbabwe (formerly Rhodesia) comes into being, with Canaan Banana as the country's first President.
1974
The Prime Minister of Pakistan Zulfikar Ali Bhutto inaugurates Lahore Dry port.
1961
CONCP is founded in Casablanca as a united front of African movements opposing Portuguese colonial rule.
1958
A United States federal court rules that poet Ezra Pound is to be released from an insane asylum.
1955
Twenty-nine nations meet at Bandung, Indonesia, for the first Asian-African Conference.
1954
Gamal Abdal Nasser seizes power in Egypt.
1949
The aircraft carrier {{USS|United States|CVA-58}} is laid down at Newport News Drydock and Shipbuilding. However, the ''United States'' is canceled five days later, resulting in the Revolt of the Admirals.
1945
Over 1,000 bombers attack the small island of Heligoland, Germany.
1943
World War II: Operation Vengeance, Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto is killed when his aircraft is shot down by U.S. fighters over Bougainville Island.
1942
World War II: The Doolittle Raid on Japan. Tokyo, Yokohama, Kobe and Nagoya bombed.
1930
BBC Radio announces that there is no news on that day.
1924
Simon & Schuster publishes the first Crossword puzzle book.
1923
Yankee Stadium, "The House that Ruth Built," opens.
1915
French pilot Roland Garros is shot down and glides to a landing on the German side of the lines during World War I.
1912
The Cunard liner ''RMS Carpathia'' brings 705 survivors from the ''RMS Titanic'' to New York City.
1909
Joan of Arc is beatified in Rome.
1906
The ''Los Angeles Times'' story on the Azusa Street Revival launches Pentecostalism as a worldwide movement.
The 1906 San Francisco earthquake and fire destroys much of San Francisco, California.
1902
Quetzaltenango, second largest city of Guatemala, destroyed by Earthquake.
1899
The St. Andrew's Ambulance Association is granted a Royal Charter by Queen Victoria.
1881
Billy the Kid escapes from the Lincoln County jail in Mesilla, New Mexico.
1880
An F4 tornado strikes Marshfield, Missouri, killing 99 people and injuring 100.
1857
Released "The Spirits Book", which marked the birth of Spiritualism in France, by Allan Kardec.
1848
American victory at the battle of Cerro Gordo opens the way for invasion of Mexico.
1831
The University of Alabama is founded.
1797
The Battle of Neuwied (1797)|Battle of Neuwied
1783
Fighting ceases in the American Revolution, eight years to the day since it began.
1775
American Revolution: The British advancement by sea begins; Paul Revere and other riders warn the countryside of the troop movements.
1738
''Real Academia de la Historia'' ("Royal Academy of History") founded in Madrid.
1518
Bona Sforza is crowned as queen consort of Poland.
1506
The cornerstone of the current St. Peter's Basilica is laid.
1025
Bolesław Chrobry is crowned in Gniezno, becoming the first King of Poland.