From Fiery Roman Cities to Perfect Tens!
Get ready to set your history clocks for July 18th! This date is packed with drama, from an ancient city being totally consumed by fire to modern heroes achieving the impossible. We've got world-changing moments, tech breakthroughs, and even a legendary leader's birthday. Let's dive into the awesome history that happened on this summer day!
Did you know that on this day in 64 AD, a HUGE fire started in Rome? While the city burned, legend says Emperor Nero was busy playing music! Fast forward nearly 2,000 years, and another 'perfect' moment happened when a gymnast scored the first-ever 10.0 at the Olympics. Talk about a day of extremes!
What Happened on This Day
The Great Fire of Rome Begins
Imagine a massive fire that swept through the ancient city of Rome! On July 18, 64 AD, a blaze started in the merchant shops and raged for six days, destroying huge parts of the city. Legend says Emperor Nero wasn't trying to put it out; he was supposedly playing his lyre (a small harp-like instrument) and singing! Whether that’s true or not, the fire changed Rome forever.
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England Says 'Bye-Bye' to the Pope's Power
Talk about a major break-up! On July 18, 1536, the English Parliament officially declared that the Pope, the religious leader of the Roman Catholic Church, no longer had any authority in England. This was a massive step in separating the English church from Rome, giving King Henry VIII even more power over the country. It was a huge political earthquake that rocked Europe!
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The 54th Massachusetts Charges Fort Wagner
During the American Civil War, the 54th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment, one of the first official African American units in the Union Army, launched a brave charge against the Confederate-held Fort Wagner. Although the assault was unsuccessful and resulted in heavy losses, the bravery shown by these soldiers was incredible. It proved that Black soldiers were willing and able to fight fiercely for their freedom and the country.
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The First Jet Plane Takes Flight!
Get ready for speed! On this day in 1942, the German Messerschmitt Me 262 made its very first flight using its jet engines. Before this, all planes used propellers. A jet engine works by shooting hot gas out the back really fast—think of letting the air out of a balloon! This test flight kicked off the age of the jet plane, which totally changed how fast we could travel by air forever.
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Nadia Comăneci Scores the First Perfect 10!
Imagine getting the best score possible... and then getting it again! At the 1976 Summer Olympics in Montreal, 14-year-old Romanian gymnast Nadia Comăneci performed a flawless routine on the uneven bars. The scoreboard wasn't even ready to show a '10.00' because it was unheard of—it only displayed '1.00'! She showed the world what 'perfection' in gymnastics truly looks like.
Fun Facts About July 18
- In 1872, the United Kingdom started using secret ballots for voting!
- The famous computer chip company Intel was founded on this day in 1968!
- The first volume of Adolf Hitler's book, *Mein Kampf*, was published on July 18, 1925.
- The Gemini 10 space mission launched on July 18, 1966, orbiting Earth 43 times!
A Look Back in Time
July 18th often falls right in the middle of summer vacation for many kids, but historically, it’s been a busy month! In ancient times, this period saw major battles, like the devastating Roman defeat by the Gauls. Centuries later, the date helped shape modern nations with political shifts in England and the start of the American Civil War's significant engagements. The 20th century saw this date deliver both revolutionary technology with the first jet plane and major, inspiring human achievements in sports and politics.
Born on This Day
Nelson Mandela
A true hero! Nelson Mandela was a massive anti-apartheid activist in South Africa. After spending years in prison for his beliefs, he became South Africa's very first Black president in 1994. His message of forgiveness and equality inspires the world every day, which is why July 18th is celebrated as Mandela Day!
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John Glenn
John Glenn was a famous American astronaut and politician. He was one of the original Mercury Seven astronauts and became the first American to orbit the Earth in 1962! He later served as a U.S. Senator for many years. Talk about having an out-of-this-world career!
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Vin Diesel
You probably know him from racing cars in movies! Vin Diesel is a major action movie star, famous for playing Dominic Toretto. He’s also a writer and producer. This summer birthday star has been acting since he was a kid and loves cars, just like his famous characters!
Priyanka Chopra
Priyanka Chopra started her journey by winning the Miss World competition in 2000! She’s an incredible actress who has starred in movies and TV shows all over the world, from Bollywood to Hollywood. She’s also a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador, using her fame to help kids everywhere.