Today in History for 18th May 2026

[CoM Moderators]

Historical Events

1268 - The Principality of Antioch, a crusader state, falls to the Mamluk Sultan Baibars in the Battle of Antioch
1291 - After 100 years of Crusader control, the last Crusader stronghold of Acre is reconquered and destroyed by the Mamluks under Sultan al-Ashraf Khalil
1889 - Jules Massenet's opera "Esclarmonde" premieres in Paris
1896 - Khodynka Tragedy: A stampeding crowd on Khodynka Field, Moscow, during the coronation festivities for Russian Tsar Nicholas II, causes the deaths of an estimated 1,300 people
1899 - World Goodwill Day: 26 nations meet at the First Hague Peace Conference

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Famous Birthdays

1921 - Anthony Epstein, English pathologist and virologist (co-discover of the Epstein–Barr virus), born in London, England (d. 2024)
1934 - Dwayne Hickman, American actor (The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis; How to Stuff a Wild Bikini), and network executive, born in Los Angeles, California (d. 2022)
1958 - Ray Donaldson, NFL center (Dallas Cowboys), born in Rome, Georgia
1970 - Vicky Sunohara, Canadian ice hockey forward (Olympic gold 2002 and 2006) and coach, born in Scarborough, Ontario
1988 - Taeyang [Dong Young-bae], Korean singer (Big Bang), born in Uijeongbu, South Korea

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Famous Deaths

1812 - John Bellingham, English merchant who assassinated British Prime Minister Spencer Perceval, executed by hanging at 42 or 43
1995 - Elizabeth Montgomery, American actress (Bewitched - "Samantha* and "Serena"), dies of cancer at 62
2004 - Lincoln Kilpatrick, American actor (BJ-Leslie Uggams Show), dies at 72
2007 - Roy De Forest, American Funk and Nut Art movement painter, dies at 77
2018 - Philip Tabane, South African jazz guitarist, vocalist, and band leader (Malombo), dies at 84

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