TODAY IN HISTORY

SATURDAY, AUGUST 18, 2018

1227 - The Mongol conqueror Genghis Khan died.

1783 A huge fireball meteor is seen across Great Britain as it passes over the east coast. 1786 - The decision is made in England to colonise New South Wales with convicts from Britain’s overcrowded jails. 1868 - French astronomer Pierre Janssen discovers helium.

1877 - Asaph Hall discovers Martian moon Phobos. 1891 - Major hurricane strikes Martinique leaving 700 dead. 1914 - World War I: The Proclamation of Neutrality was issued by U.S. President Woodrow Wilson. It was aimed at keeping the U.S. out of the war.

1917 - A Great Fire in Thessaloniki, Greece destroys a third of the city leaving 70,000 people homeless. 1919 - The Anti-Cigarette League of America was formed in Chicago Illinois.

1920 - The 19th Amendment to the United States Constitution is ratified, guaranteeing the right of all American women to vote.

1937 - The Toyota Motor Company is founded. 1940 - World War II: Canada and the U.S. established a joint defence plan against possible enemy attacks during World War II.

1940 - World War II: The Hardest Day air battle, part of the Battle of Britain. At that point, the largest aerial engagement in history with heavy losses sustained on both sides.

1945 - Sukarno takes office as the first president of Indonesia, following the country’s declaration of independence the previous day.

1963 - American civil rights movement: James Meredith becomes the first black person to graduate from the University of Mississippi.

1964 - South Africa is banned from the Olympic Games because of its apartheid policies.

1966 - The first pictures of Earth taken from Moon orbit were sent back.

1966 – Vietnam War: The Battle of Long Tan ensues after 6th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment clashes with a much larger Viet Cong force in Phuoc Tuy Province. 18 Aussies died against 245 VietCong dead.