Interesting things that happened July 18th:

Birthdays on this date:

• In 1720 Gilbert White, "the father of British naturalists."
• In 1811 William Makepeace Thackeray, Victorian novelist (Vanity Fair)
• In 1848 William Gilbert Grace, Victorian England's greatest cricketer
• In 1853 Hendrik Antoon Lorentz, Dutch physicist (Nobel 1902)
• In 1906 Clifford Odets, dramatist
  + Dr. S.I. Hayakawa, educator, US senator (R-CA, 1977-83)
• In 1911 Hume Cronyn, actor (Cocoon)
• In 1913 Red Skelton, comedian
• In 1916 Harriet Hilliard Nelson, singer, actor (The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet)
• In 1918 Nelson Mandela, human rights activist, former political prisoner, President of South Africa (1994-99), Nobel Laureate (Peace, 1993)
• In 1921 John Glenn, Jr., first American in orbit, US Senator (D-OH, 1974-99)
• In 1929 Dick Button, skating champion (Olympic gold medal, 1948 and 1952), commentator, only American to win European Championship (1948)
• In 1933 Yevgeny Yevtushenko, Russian poet (Bratsk Station)
• In 1938 Ian Stewart, pianist (Rolling Stones)
• In 1939 Hunter S. Thompson, gonzo journalist
• In 1940 James Brolin, actor (Marcus Welby, Hotel)
• In 1941 Marcia Jones Smoke, canoer
  + Martha Reeves (in Detroit, Michigan), singer
• In 1961 Elizabeth McGovern (in Evanston, Illinois), actor (Ragtime)

Events worth noting:

• + Dog Days.
  + Feast of St. Camillus de Lellis, confessor
  + National Day, celebrated in Spain
• In 64 The Great Fire of Rome begins (Nero didn't fiddle).
• In 1536 Pope's authority declared void in England.
• In 1872 Britain introduced the concept of voting by secret ballot.
• In 1927 Ty Cobb got the 4000th hit of his career.
• In 1931 First air-conditioned ship launched - "Mariposa".
• In 1932 US and Canada signed a treaty to develop the St. Lawrence Seaway.
  + While out of the US to avoid mob harassment, Louis Armstrong opens London's Palladium Theatre.
• In 1936 Spanish Civil War began as Gen. Francisco Franco led uprising.
  + First Oscar Meyer Weinermobile is built.
• In 1938 Douglas `Wrong Way' Corrigan arrives in Ireland-left NY for Calif.
• In 1940 First successful helicopter flight, Stratford, Ct.
• In 1947 Tigers shut out Yankees 2-0 ending a 19 game win streak.
  + US receives UN trusteeship over Pacific Islands.
• In 1954 Joe Adcock records 18 total bases (4 homers and a double).
• In 1955 First electric power generated from atomic energy sold commercially.
• In 1966 Carl Sagan turns one billion seconds old.
  + Gemini X is launched.
• In 1968 Intel Corporation is incorporated.
• In 1969 Mary Jo Kopechne and Teddy Kennedy plunge off Chappaquiddick bridge.
• In 1978 Billy Martin suspends Reggie Jackson for not bunting.
• In 1980 Rohini 1, first Indian satellite, is launched.
• In 1984 Gunman opens fire at McDonald's in San Ysidro, CA, killing 21.
  + Svetlana Savitskaya accompanies Vladimir Dzhanibekov on EVA outside Salyut 7, becoming first woman to walk in space.
  + Walter F. Mondale wins Democratic presidential nomination in SF
• In 1986 Videotapes released showing sunken remains of the Titanic.
• In 1987 Yanks Don Mattingly ties Major League record of HRs in 8 cons games.

And remember ...

• Baked Beans Month
• Hot Dog Month
• Ice Cream Month
• National Cell Phone Courtesy Month