Today In History [18th July, 2015]

A chronological timetable of historical events that occurred on this day in history. Historical facts of the day in the areas of military, politics, science, music, sports, arts, entertainment and more. Discover what happened today in history.

Today in History
July 18

1789		Robespierre, a deputy from Arras, France, decides to back the French Revolution.
1812		Great Britain signs the Treaty of Orebro, making peace with Russia and Sweden.
1830		Uruguay adopts a liberal constitution.
1861		Union and Confederate troops skirmish at Blackburn’s Ford, Virginia, in a prelude to the Battle of Bull Run.
1877		Inventor Thomas Edison records the human voice for the first time.
1872		The Ballot Act is passed in Great Britain, providing for secret election ballots.
1935		Ethiopian King Haile Selassie urges his countrymen to fight to the last man against the invading Italian army.
1936		General Francisco Franco of Spain revolts against the Republican government, starting the Spanish Civil War.
1942		The German Me-262, the first jet-propelled aircraft to fly in combat, makes its first flight.
1971		New Zealand and Austrailia announce they will pull their troops out of Vietnam.
1994		In Buenos Aires, a massive car bomb kills 96 people.
Born on July 18
1811		William Makepeace Thackeray, English novelist and satirist.
1887		Vidkun Quisling, Norwegian politician and Nazi collaborator during World War II.
1902		Jessamyn West, American author (The Friendly Persuasion).
1906		Clifford Odets, playwright (Waiting for Lefty).
1913		"Red" Skelton, American comedian and actor.
1918		Nelson Mandela, civil rights activist, first black president of South Africa.
1921		John Glenn, Jr., American pilot, astronaut and politician.
1929		Screamin’ Jay Hawkins, American blues singer.
1933		Yevgeny Yevtushenko, Russian poet.
1939		Hunter S. Thompson, journalist.