Box-office #1
The Empire Strikes Back
1980 · dir. Irvin Kershner
Wide US release on May 23, 1980. Goes on to become the highest-grossing film of the year.
Sci-fiStar Wars $538M worldwide
On this day
December 18 Friday, December 18, 2026
A curious almanac of what happened on December 18 across the years — history, birthdays, the songs that ruled the charts, the films that packed cinemas, and the science that nudged the world forward.
12
Events
7
Birthdays
4
Holidays
1499
European history 527 years ago
A rebellion breaks out in Alpujarras in response to the forced conversions of Muslims in Spain.
Muslims in the Alpujarras region of Granada rise up against forced conversion to Christianity under Spanish rule.
History
What happened on December 18
12 verified entries Full timeline
- 1118European history
The city of Zaragoza is conquered by king Alfonso I of Aragon from the Almoravid.
King Alfonso I of Aragon conquers Zaragoza from the Almoravid dynasty.
- 1271World history
Kublai Khan renames his empire "Yuan" (元 yuán), officially marking the start of the Yuan dynasty of Mongolia and China.
Kublai Khan renames his empire "Yuan," marking the beginning of the Mongol-led Yuan dynasty in China.
- 1499European history
A rebellion breaks out in Alpujarras in response to the forced conversions of Muslims in Spain.
Muslims in the Alpujarras region of Granada rise up against forced conversion to Christianity under Spanish rule.
- 1622War
Portuguese forces score a military victory over the Kingdom of Kongo at the Battle of Mbumbi in present-day Angola.
Portuguese forces defeat the Kingdom of Kongo in the Battle of Mbumbi, marking a significant military victory.
- 1655UK history
The Whitehall Conference ends with the determination that there was no law preventing Jews from re-entering England after the Edict of Expulsion of 1290.
The Whitehall Conference concludes that Jewish people are legally allowed to return to England, overturning the 1290 Edict of Expulsion.
- 1777US history
The United States celebrates its first Thanksgiving, marking the recent victory by the American rebels over British General John Burgoyne at Saratoga in October.
The Continental Congress declares the first national day of thanksgiving, commemorating the American victory over British General John Burgoyne at Saratoga.
- 1787US history
New Jersey becomes the third state to ratify the U.S. Constitution.
New Jersey ratifies the U.S. Constitution, becoming the third state to do so.
- 1865US history
US Secretary of State William Seward proclaims the adoption of the Thirteenth Amendment, prohibiting slavery throughout the United States.
William Seward announces the adoption of the Thirteenth Amendment, abolishing slavery across the United States.
- 1892Culture
The Nutcracker by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky premiers in Saint Petersburg, Russia.
The Nutcracker premieres in Saint Petersburg, featuring Tchaikovsky's iconic score and choreography by Marius Petipa.
- 1995Technology
A Lockheed L-188 Electra crashes in Jamba, Cuando, Angola, killing 141 people.
A Lockheed L-188 Electra crashes in Jamba, Angola, killing 141 people in one of the deadliest aviation disasters in the country's history.
- 1999Science
NASA launches into orbit the Terra platform carrying five Earth Observation instruments, including ASTER, CERES, MISR, MODIS and MOPITT.
NASA launches the Terra platform into orbit, equipped with five Earth-observing instruments: ASTER, CERES, MISR, MODIS, and MOPITT.
- 2006Politics
United Arab Emirates holds its first-ever elections.
The United Arab Emirates holds its first-ever elections, marking a significant step in the country's political development.
Born today
Famous birthdays on December 18
7 this date All birthdays
🎂 91
Jacques Pépin
French-American chef and author
Jacques Pépin, the French-born chef who served Charles de Gaulle before moving to America in 1959, turns 91 today as a celebrated culinary educator, author, and television personality.
Born
1935
Turns 91
today
Ty Cobb
American baseball player and manager
1886 – 1961
Bhikhari Thakur
Indian actor, singer, and playwright
1887 – 1971
Lonnie Brooks
American blues singer and guitarist
1933 – 2017
Joan Wallach Scott
American historian, author, and academic
b. 1941 · 85
Steven Spielberg
American director, producer, and screenwriter, co-founded DreamWorks
b. 1946 · 80
Brianne Theisen-Eaton
Canadian heptathlete
b. 1988 · 38
Music
The number one songs on December 18
Across the years Full chart history
🇬🇧 #1 on December 18, 1981
"Stand and Deliver"
by Adam and the Ants
The dandy highwayman spent five weeks at the top — a brash, glam-pop coronation.
#1 for 5 weeks
Also #1 on this day
- 1965"Ticket To Ride"— The Beatles
- 1972"Metal Guru"— T. Rex
- 2003"Make Luv"— Room 5 ft. Oliver Cheatham
Film & TV
At the movies
Box office #1 and premieres All releases
🏆 Sport December 18, 1932
The Chicago Bears defeat the Portsmouth Spartans in the first NFL playoff game to win the NFL Championship.
The Chicago Bears defeat the Portsmouth Spartans in the inaugural NFL playoff game to claim the NFL Championship.
Read the story
🔬 Science December 18, 1966
Saturn's moon Epimetheus is discovered by astronomer Richard Walker.
Richard Walker discovers Epimetheus, a moon of Saturn.
Read the storyToday is also
Holidays & observances
4 celebrated today
International Migrants Day
International
On 18 December 1990, the General Assembly of the United Nations adopted a resolution on the International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Familie
National Day (Qatar)
International
Qatar National Day is a national commemoration of Qatar's unification in 1878
Republic Day (Niger)
International
Republic Day, a national holiday in the Republic of Niger is commemorated on 18 December 1958
UN Arabic Language Day (United Nations)
International
UN Arabic Language Day is observed annually on December 18