On this day, July 18

1863 During the Civil War, Union troops spearheaded by the 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, made up of Black soldiers, charged Confederate-held Fort Wagner on Morris Island, S.C. The Confederates were able to repel the Northerners, who suffered heavy losses; the 54th’s commander, Col. Robert Gould Shaw, was among those killed.

1918 South African anti-apartheid leader and president Nelson Mandela was born in the village of Mvezo.

1951 “Jersey Joe” Walcott, 37, knocked out Ezzard Charles in the seventh round in a heavyweight championship fight at Forbes Field before 28,272 people — a record fight turnout for Pittsburgh. Walcott thus became the oldest heavyweight boxing champion in history.

2008 It was announced that the Squirrel Hill Theatre and the former Poli’s Restaurant, two neighborhood landmarks, would be demolished to make way for a $50 million project that included retail stores, condominiums, a hotel and restaurant.

Some items are from Stefan Lorant’s “Pittsburgh: The Story of an American City” (digital.library.pitt.edu/chronology).

— Compiled by Rick Nowlin

Today’s birthdays: Skating champion and commentator Dick Button, 92. Olympic gold medal figure skater Tenley Albright, 86. Movie director Paul Verhoeven, 83. Musician Brian Auger, 82. Actor James Brolin, 81. Baseball Hall of Famer Joe Torre, 81. Singer Martha Reeves, 80. Business mogul Richard Branson, 71. Actor Margo Martindale, 70. Singer Ricky Skaggs, 67. World Golf Hall of Famer Nick Faldo, 64. Actor Anne-Marie Johnson, 61. Actor Vin Diesel, 54. Retired NBA All-Star Penny Hardaway, 50. Dance music singer-songwriter M.I.A., 46. Rock musician Daron Malakian (System of a Down; Scars on Broadway), 46. Actor Elsa Pataky, 45. Actor Kristen Bell, 41. Actor Michiel Huisman, 40.

Thought for today: “Kindnesses are easily forgotten; but injuries! What worthy man does not keep those in mind?”