Once Upon A Time – April 18 – 1025 – Bolesław Chrobry Is Crowned In Gniezno, Becoming First King Of Poland

1025 Bolesław Chrobry is crowned in Gniezno, becoming the first King of Poland

1506 The cornerstone of the current St. Peter’s Basilica is laid in the Vatican by Pope Julius II

1521 Luther makes his bold declaration, “Here I stand!” at a second hearing before emperor Charles V at the Diet of Worms.

1775 Paul Revere and William Dawes ride from Charlestown to Lexington warning the “regulars are coming!”

1783 American Revolution: George Washington issues General Order announcing the end of hostilities with Britain, giving thanks to the Almighty, and offering congratulations and authorizing an extra ration of alcohol to the troops to celebrate

1905 Eleven Catholics are murdered for their faith in Yanjing, Tibet. Their killers read a message from the Dalai Lama threatening death to Christian converts who will not return to Buddhism.

1909 Mattiya Leonard Kamungu becomes the first Anglican priest of the Chewa people in the diocese of Nyasaland. He will be misunderstood by both Europeans and his own people as he tries to walk a line between European paternalism and African expectations. He dies in 1913, possibly poisoned, and will be considered a martyr.

1906 San Francisco earthquake and fire kills nearly 4,000 while destroying 75% of the city

1954 Egyptian Colonel Gamal Abdel Nasser seizes power and appoints himself Prime Minister

Historical Events Today

Today In Film & TV

2018 “Black Panther” is the first film shown at a commercial cinema in 35 years in Saudi Arabia as cinemas are reopened

Today In Music

1985 Wham become the first western pop act to release an album in China

Today In Sport

1809 First run of 2,000 guineas horse race at Newmarket, England

1924

1st crossword puzzle book published by Simon & Schuster

1934

1st “Washateria” (laundromat) opens (Fort Worth, Texas)