On This Day – October 18
Image source: The GrayVine
Ready to take a trip down memory lane? Let's look back at some of the most significant events in history that happened on this day, starting with...
1776: The Term “Cocktail” Was First Used
At a tavern in Elmsford, New York, a bartender reportedly served a drink garnished with bird tail feathers, inspiring a patron to ask for a glass of “those cock tails.” The term stuck—and cocktail culture was born.
1685: France Revoked the Edict of Nantes
King Louis XIV ended religious tolerance for Protestants in France, forcing hundreds of thousands of Huguenots to flee the country. Many sought refuge in England, the Netherlands, and the American colonies.
1867: The United States Formally Took Possession of Alaska
After purchasing the vast territory from Russia for $7.2 million, the US officially raised its flag over Alaska—a move that was mocked as “Seward’s Folly” but later proved invaluable due to the region’s natural resources.
1900: Germany Declared Its “Place in the Sun”
Count Bernhard von Bülow, the new German chancellor, famously proclaimed that Germany needed a “place in the sun,” signaling the country’s growing imperial ambitions in the early 20th century.
1931: Al Capone Was Convicted of Tax Evasion
After years of evading justice for violent crimes, the infamous Chicago gangster was found guilty on five counts of tax evasion. Capone was sentenced to 11 years in prison, marking a major victory for federal law enforcement.
1962: The Nobel Prize for Medicine Honored the Discovery of DNA’s Structure
James Watson, Francis Crick, and Maurice Wilkins were awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for revealing the double-helix structure of DNA—a breakthrough that revolutionized genetics and biology.
1968: Tommie Smith and John Carlos Were Suspended for the Black Power Salute
After raising their gloved fists during the Olympic medal ceremony in Mexico City, the two American sprinters were expelled from the Games. Their silent gesture became an enduring symbol of protest against racial injustice.
1982: Thomas Edison’s Legacy Was Remembered
On the anniversary of his death, tributes across the US honored Edison’s legacy as one of America’s greatest inventors—credited with transforming modern life through innovations like the phonograph and the electric light bulb.
Do you remember any of these events? Or do you have more events (historical or not!) you'd like to share with the community? Post them below and let's reminisce together!
