#18thmarch #onthisday #history March 18th: A Journey Through Time and Cultures
March 18th offers a diverse tapestry of historical events, cultural celebrations, and individual achievements from across the globe. Let's explore some noteworthy occurrences on this date:
Echoes from the Past:
• 1229: Frederick II Crowned King of Jerusalem: Holy Roman Emperor Frederick II declares himself King of Jerusalem during the Sixth Crusade, though his rule is mainly symbolic.
• 1314: Jacques de Molay Burned at the Stake: Jacques de Molay, the last Grand Master of the Knights Templar, is burned at the stake in Paris on charges of heresy and immorality, marking the culmination of the order's persecution by King Philip IV of France.
• 1438: Albert II of Habsburg Elected King of Romans: Albert II of Habsburg is elected King of the Romans, a crucial step towards becoming Holy Roman Emperor.
• 1571: Valletta Established as Malta's Capital: Valletta, a fortified city built by the Knights Hospitaller, is officially declared the capital of Malta.
• 1865: First Successful Spacewalk: Russian cosmonaut Alexei Leonov becomes the first to perform a spacewalk, venturing for twelve minutes outside his Voskhod 2 spacecraft.
• 1869: Neville Chamberlain Born: Neville Chamberlain, a British politician who served as Prime Minister during the early days of World War II, is born.
• 1892: Lord Stanley Donates Stanley Cup: Lord Stanley of Preston donates the iconic Stanley Cup, awarded annually to the National Hockey League playoff champions.
• 1913: Assassination of King George I of Greece: King George I of Greece is assassinated in Thessaloniki by a Greek nationalist.
• 1917: Battle of Arras Begins: The Battle of Arras, a major offensive launched by British and French forces during World War I, commences.
• 1931: Congo President Assassinated: Marien Ngouabi, the president of the People's Republic of the Congo, is assassinated in a coup d'état.
• 1936: Évian Accords Signed: The Évian Accords are signed, marking the end of the Algerian War and granting Algeria greater autonomy within the French colonial empire.
• 1962: France Tests Nuclear Weapon: France conducts its first underground nuclear weapon test in the Algerian Sahara Desert.
• 1965: First US Biological Weapons Test Disclosed: The United States discloses that it secretly conducted biological weapons tests in Texas in 1966, sparking concerns about germ warfare.
• 1970: Charles de Gaulle Passes Away: Charles de Gaulle, former President of France and leader of the Free French Forces during World War II, dies.
• 1971: South Vietnam Abandons Central Highlands: South Vietnamese forces withdraw from much of the Central Highlands region, a significant setback in the Vietnam War.
• 1975: Elvis Presley Holds Last Concert: Elvis Presley performs his final concert in Indianapolis, Indiana.
• 1986: Buckingham Palace Announces Royal Engagement: Buckingham Palace announces the engagement of Prince Andrew to Sarah Ferguson.
• 2000: Chen Shui-bian Elected President of Taiwan: Chen Shui-bian becomes the first non-Kuomintang candidate to be elected President of Taiwan, marking a significant shift in the country's political landscape.
Celebrations Around the World:
• Some African countries: Francophonie Day - A celebration of French language and culture in French-speaking countries.
Other Notable Events:
• 1782: Birth of John C. Calhoun: American politician and advocate for states' rights, John C. Calhoun, is born.
• 1932: Birth of John Updike: American novelist known for works like "Rabbit Is Rich" and "Rabbit Redux," John Updike is born.
• 1936: Birth of Walter Mondale: American politician who served as Vice President under Jimmy Carter, Walter Mondale, is born.
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