Defeats, Daring Flights, and Decades of Music!
Welcome to June 18th, a day packed with historical drama! We're talking epic defeats that changed world maps, groundbreaking moments for women in the skies and space, and new ways to listen to your favorite tunes. Get ready to zoom through time with us!
Imagine being on a warship one day and then hearing a whole album on a single record the next! On June 18th, we mark the end of an Emperor’s reign at Waterloo and the introduction of the LP record, which meant less switching and more listening—a true game-changer for music lovers!
What Happened on This Day
Napoleon's Final Defeat at Waterloo
Ouch! On this day, the famous French Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte suffered his final, crushing defeat at the Battle of Waterloo. After escaping exile, he tried to reclaim his power, but an army of British, German, and Dutch forces finally stopped him. This battle was so epic that today, saying someone 'met their Waterloo' means they’ve faced a total, final defeat! Goodbye, Emperor!
Amelia Earhart Soars Across the Atlantic
Talk about a flying superstar! Amelia Earhart became the first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean on June 18, 1928. She took off from Newfoundland and landed in Wales about 21 hours later. Back then, flying over the ocean was super dangerous, but Amelia proved that nothing was too hard for a brave pilot. What an amazing feat for women in aviation!
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A Famous 'Finest Hour' Speech is Given
During World War II, when things looked tough for Britain, Prime Minister Winston Churchill stood up and gave one of his most famous radio speeches, declaring that they would fight on no matter what. He ended with the powerful words about defending their island, calling it their 'Finest Hour.' It was a speech meant to rally people and give them courage when they needed it most.
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The Long-Playing Record is Introduced!
Before streaming or even CDs, people listened to music on vinyl records. On this day in 1948, Columbia Records introduced the revolutionary 33⅓ rpm LP (Long Play) record. Before this, records only held about three minutes of music per side! The LP meant you could fit about 20 minutes of awesome tunes on one side, meaning fewer interruptions for flipping and more time rocking out!
Sally Ride Becomes First American Woman in Space
History was made again as astronaut Sally Ride launched into space aboard the Space Shuttle Challenger! She became the first American woman to travel to outer space. Imagine looking down at Earth from space—she got to do it! Her flight proved that space exploration wasn't just for the boys, inspiring a whole new generation of future space explorers.
Learn moreFun Facts About June 18
- The battle that ended Napoleon's rule is why we say 'meeting your Waterloo' today!
- Amelia Earhart's 1928 Atlantic flight took about 21 hours—a super long time for a tiny plane!
- Before the LP record, most vinyl albums were just a few songs long—talk about short songs!
- June 18th is also International Panic Day (try to stay calm!) and Splurge Day!
A Look Back in Time
The early to mid-19th century saw major global power shifts, highlighted by Napoleon’s fall in 1815, which reshaped Europe after years of conflict. Fast forward to the 1920s and 40s, and the world was witnessing huge leaps in technology and major global conflicts, like WWII, where speeches and communication became vital tools for morale and resistance. By the 1980s, the focus had shifted to the Space Race, with breakthroughs like Sally Ride’s flight symbolizing progress and breaking social barriers.
Born on This Day
Paul McCartney
This legend is one of the most famous musicians ever! He was the co-lead vocalist, bassist, and songwriter for the world-changing band, The Beatles. After the band split, he had a massive solo career and formed the group Wings. He’s written countless hits that people still love today!
Chris Van Allsburg
Meet the magical author and illustrator who brought us the amazing, mysterious book *Jumanji* and the snowy adventure *The Polar Express*! His pictures look so real, they often feel like a dream you can step right into. He has won the prestigious Caldecott Medal twice for his stunning artwork.
Blake Shelton
This talented guy is a huge star in country music! He's known for having a ton of number-one songs on the charts and for being a super fun coach on singing competition TV shows. He started making music when he was really young and has since become one of country music's biggest names.
Isabella Rossellini
Isabella Rossellini is an accomplished actress who has appeared in many movies and television shows. She is also known for her work as a model. Her parents were also famous: her father was the famous filmmaker Roberto Rossellini and her mother was the legendary actress Ingrid Bergman.