On This Day - November 18
Image source: The Gray Vine
Ready to take a trip down memory lane? Let’s look back at some of the most significant events in American history that happened on this day, starting with…
1865: Mark Twain’s Breakout Story Was Published
Mark Twain’s humorous tale The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County appeared in the New York Saturday Press, instantly making him a national literary figure and launching his writing career.
1872: Susan B. Anthony Was Arrested for Voting
After casting a ballot in the presidential election, suffragist Susan B. Anthony was arrested in Rochester, New York, for “illegally” voting—an act that helped galvanize the fight for women’s rights.
1883: North America Adopted Standard Time Zones
US and Canadian railroads synchronized their clocks and established Eastern, Central, Mountain, and Pacific Time—replacing hundreds of local times and creating the system we still use today.
1903: The Panama Canal Treaty Was Signed
The Hay–Bunau-Varilla Treaty granted the United States the rights to build and control the Panama Canal Zone, paving the way for one of the most significant engineering feats in world history.
1928: Steamboat Willie Introduced Mickey Mouse to the World
Walt Disney’s Steamboat Willie premiered in New York City, marking Mickey Mouse’s first major appearance and revolutionizing animation with synchronized sound.
1963: Touch-Tone Phones Debuted in the United States
Bell Telephone introduced push-button dialing to customers in Pennsylvania, replacing rotary phones and ushering in a new era of faster communication.
1978: Tragedy Struck in Jonestown
More than 900 members of the Peoples Temple died in Guyana in one of the most devastating cult-related tragedies in history. US Congressman Leo Ryan was killed nearby shortly before the mass deaths.
2003: Massachusetts Cleared the Way for Same-Sex Marriage
In Goodridge v. Department of Public Health, Massachusetts’ highest court ruled that banning same-sex marriage violated the state constitution—making it the first state to do so.
2021: Two Men Were Exonerated in the Malcolm X Case
A New York judge overturned the 1966 convictions of Muhammad A. Aziz and Khalil Islam, officially acknowledging they were wrongfully convicted in the assassination of Malcolm X.
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!
