Summary of the Day ✨ 18 July (18/07)
Violence struck multiple locations worldwide as an arson attack killed 36 at a Japanese anime studio while a bomb exploded on an Israeli tour bus in Bulgaria, and ISIL issued death threats to Christians while Detroit filed for the largest municipal bankruptcy in U.S. history due to overwhelming debt.
Historical Events 📜
- 2019: A man sets fire to an anime studio in Fushimi-ku, Kyoto, Japan, killing 36 people and injuring dozens of others.
- 2014: The Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant requires Christians to either accept dhimmi status, emigrate from ISIL lands, or be killed.
- 2013: The Government of Detroit, with up to $20 billion in debt, files for the largest municipal bankruptcy in U.S. history.
- 2012: At least seven people are killed and 32 others are injured after a bomb explodes on an Israeli tour bus at Burgas Airport, Bulgaria.
- 2002: A Consolidated PB4Y-2 Privateer crashes near Estes Park, Colorado, killing both crew members.
- 1996: Storms provoke severe flooding on the Saguenay River, beginning one of Quebec’s costliest natural disasters ever.
- 1996: Battle of Mullaitivu: The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam capture the Sri Lanka Army’s base, killing over 1,200 soldiers.
- 1995: On the Caribbean island of Montserrat, the Soufrière Hills volcano erupts. Over the course of several years, it devastates the island, destroying the capital, forcing most of the population to flee.
- 1994: The bombing of the Asociación Mutual Israelita Argentina (Argentine Jewish Community Center) in Buenos Aires kills 85 people (mostly Jewish) and injures 300.
- 1994: Rwandan genocide: The Rwandan Patriotic Front takes control of Gisenyi and north western Rwanda, forcing the interim government into Zaire and ending the genocide.
- 1992: A picture of Les Horribles Cernettes was taken, which became the first ever photo posted to the World Wide Web.
- 1984: McDonald’s massacre in San Ysidro, California: James Oliver Huberty kills 21 people and injures 19 others before being shot dead by police.
- 1982: Two hundred sixty-eight Guatemalan campesinos (“peasants” or “country people”) are slain in the Plan de Sánchez massacre.
- 1981: A Canadair CL-44 and Sukhoi Su-15 collide in mid-air near Yerevan, Armenia, killing four.
- 1979: A landslide occurs on the Iliwerung volcano in Indonesia, triggering a tsunami that kills over 530 and leaves 700 missing.
Famous Births 👶
- 2001: Agustina Roth, Argentine BMX rider
- 2000: Sarah Kinsley, American singer-songwriter
- 1997: Bam Adebayo, American basketball player
- 1997: Noah Lyles, American sprinter
- 1996: Yung Lean, Swedish rapper and singer-songwriter
- 1996: Smriti Mandhana, Indian cricketer
- 1996: Shudufhadzo Musida, Miss South Africa 2020
- 1994: Nilo Soares, East Timorese footballer
- 1993: Lee Tae-min, South Korean singer and actor
- 1993: Michael Lichaa, Australian rugby league player
- 1991: Mandy Rose, American wrestler and television personality
- 1991: Eugenio Suárez, Venezuelan baseball player
- 1990: Canelo Álvarez, Mexican boxer
- 1989: Jamie Benn, Canadian ice hockey player
- 1989: Sebastian Mielitz, German footballer
Notable Deaths 🕊️
- 2025: Edwin Feulner, American political scientist (born 1941)
- 2024: Lou Dobbs, American political commentator and television host (born 1945)
- 2024: Abner Haynes, American football player (born 1937)
- 2024: Bob Newhart, American comedian and actor (born 1929)
- 2023: Oommen Chandy, Indian politician, former Chief Minister of Kerala (born 1943)
- 2021: Tom O’Connor, English comedian (born 1939)
- 2018: Jonathan Gold, American food critic (born 1960)
- 2018: Adrian Cronauer, American radio personality (born 1938)
- 2015: Alex Rocco, American actor (born 1936)
- 2015: Buddy Buie, American songwriter, producer and publisher (born 1941)
- 2014: Andreas Biermann, German footballer (born 1980)
- 2014: João Ubaldo Ribeiro, Brazilian journalist, author, and academic (born 1941)
- 2014: Dietmar Schönherr, Austrian-Spanish actor, director, and screenwriter (born 1926)
- 2013: Vaali, Indian poet, songwriter, and actor (born 1931)
- 2013: Olivier Ameisen, French-American cardiologist and academic (born 1953)
Holidays & Observances 🎉
- Christian feast day:
Arnulf of Metz - Christian feast day:
Bruno of Segni - Christian feast day:
Camillus de Lellis (optional memorial, United States only) - Christian feast day:
Eadburh (or Edburga) of Bicester - Christian feast day:
Elizabeth Ferard (Church of England) - Christian feast day:
Frederick of Utrecht - Christian feast day:
Maternus of Milan - Christian feast day:
Pambo - Christian feast day:
Philastrius - Christian feast day:
Symphorosa - Christian feast day:
Theodosia of Constantinople - Christian feast day:
July 18 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics) - Constitution Day (Uruguay)
- Nelson Mandela International Day