What Happened On
Size Comparison of Pluto, Earth, and Moon
Size Comparison of Pluto, Earth, and Moon
Pluto
February 18, 1930
The dwarf planet Pluto is discovered by Clyde Tombaugh at the Lowell Observatory in Arizona. Pluto has five known moons and is the ninth-largest and tenth-most-massive known object directly orbiting the Sun. It was named Pluto after the god of the underworld.
Although originally classified a planet, in 2006 it was demoted to dwarf planet. The word "plutoed" now means to devalue or demote someone or something.
First Cow to Fly in an Airplane
February 18, 1930
A cow named Elm Farm Ollie becomes the first cow to fly in an airplane. The 72-mile trip from Bismarck, Missouri, to St. Louis was part of the International Air Exposition in St. Louis. Elm Farm Ollie was milked mid-flight and her milk was placed in paper cartons and parachuted to spectators below.
After the flight, Elm Farm Ollie became known as "Sky Queen".
Jefferson Davis is sworn in as President of the Confederate States on the steps of the Alabama State Capitol
Jefferson Davis is sworn in as President of the Confederate States on the steps of the Alabama State Capitol
Civil War
February 18, 1861
Jefferson Davis is inaugurated as president of the Confederate States. Davis had been a member of the U.S. Senate and had previously served as U.S. Secretary of War (1853-57).
Gambia
February 18, 1965
The West African colony gains its independence from Great Britain.
First U.S. Postage Stamps in Coils
February 18, 1908
The first U.S. postage stamps in coils are issued today. They were designed for use in vending machines.
Treaty of Fort Wise
February 18, 1861
The Cheyenne and Arapaho Indians give up their claims to most of Colorado that they were given 10 years earlier. Individual members of the tribes received 40 acres (160,000 m2) of land and the U.S. agreed to pay the tribes a combined total of $30,000 per year for 15 years. This was in preparation for establishing the U.S. Territory of Colorado ten days later.
Gregorian Calendar Adopted by Sweden
February 18, 1753
Today's date became March 1.
Pilgrim's Progress
February 18, 1678
English preacher John Bunyan first publishes his famous religious work in England. For over 200 years, except for the Bible, it was the most widely read book in the world.
Birthdays
John Travolta
Born February 18, 1954
American actor. Film: Saturday Night Fever (1977), Grease (1978), Urban Cowboy (1980), and Pulp Fiction (1994). TV: Welcome Back, Kotter (1975-79, Vinnie Barbarino).
First NASA Astronaut to Die in Training
Theodore Cordy "Ted" Freeman
Born February 18, 1930 d. 1964
American astronaut. Freeman was the first NASA astronaut to die in training (1964). While Freeman was piloting a T-38 jet trainer from St. Louis to Houston, a goose flew into the port-side air intake causing the engine to flame out. He attempted to land on the Houston runway, but realized he was too short and might hit military housing, so he banked away from the runway, and ejected. Freeman's parachute did not deploy in time, and he died upon impact with the ground.
Execution of Private Slovik
Eddie Slovik
Born February 18, 1920 d. 1945
American Army private. He was the only U.S. soldier executed for desertion during World War II, and the first since the Civil War.
While serving in German-occupied France, Slovik turned himself in to authorities with a note saying he had deserted and that he would desert again if sent back into battle. He was given several chances to return to duty and have the charges dropped, but refused. He assumed he would be dishonorably discharged and given a prison sentence that would be commuted after the war was over. However, he was sentenced to death. Slovik had a prison record prior to being drafted into the service, and as he was being prepared for execution, he said "They're not shooting me for deserting the United States Army, thousands of guys have done that. They just need to make an example out of somebody and I'm it because I'm an ex-con. I used to steal things when I was a kid, and that's what they are shooting me for. They're shooting me for the bread and chewing gum I stole when I was 12 years old."
Although over 21,000 U.S. soldiers were sentenced for desertion during World War II, Slovik was the only one executed.
The TV movie The Execution of Private Slovik (1974), starring Martin Sheen, was based on his execution.
Enzo Ferrari
Born February 18, 1898 d. 1988
Italian sports car maker, racer. He founded the Ferrari automobile company (1939). His cars established numerous racing records.
Win One for the Gipper
George Gipp
Born February 18, 1895 d. 1920
American football player. Knute Rockne referred to Gipp when he said "win one for the Gipper." According to Rockne, in 1920 while Gipp was on his deathbed with pneumonia, Gipp said the following:
"I've got to go, Rock. It's all right. I'm not afraid. Some time, Rock, when the team is up against it, when things are wrong and the breaks are beating the boys, ask them to go in there with all they've got and win just one for the Gipper. I don't know where I'll be then, Rock. But I'll know about it, and I'll be happy."
In 1928, Rockne used this quote in a halftime speech to inspire Notre Dame to upset undefeated Army 12-6.
Molly Ringwald
Born February 18, 1968
American actress, part of the "Brat Pack." Film: Sixteen Candles (1984), The Breakfast Club (1985), and Pretty in Pink (1986).
Dr Dre (Andre Romelle Young)
Born February 18, 1965
American rapper, record producer. He helped popularize gangsta hip-hop and West Coast G-funk.
Matt Dillon
Born February 18, 1964
American actor. Film: My Bodyguard (1980), Rumble Fish (1983), and Drugstore Cowboy (1989).
Mark Bode
Born February 18, 1963
American cartoonist. Creator of Miami Mice and known for his work on Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.
Vanna White with Pat Sajak
Vanna White
Born February 18, 1957
American TV personality. TV: Wheel of Fortune (1982-, letter turner).
Robbie Bachman (Robin Peter Kendall Bachman)
Born February 18, 1953 d. 2023
Canadian drummer, with Bachman-Turner Overdrive. Robbie is credited with designing the BTO 'gear' logo.
Music: Takin' Care of Business (1974) and You Ain't Seen Nothing Yet (1974, #1).
Juice Newton (Judy Cohen)
Born February 18, 1952
American singer. Music: Angel in the Morning (1981) and The Sweetest Thing (1981, #1).
Cybill Shepherd
Born February 18, 1950
American actress, winner of Memphis Miss Teenage. TV: Moonlighting (Maddie Hayes).
Dennis DeYoung
Born February 18, 1947
American singer, keyboardist, with Styx. Music: Lady (1973), Grand Illusion (1977), and Babe (1979, #1).
Toni Morrison (Chloe Anthony Wofford)
Born February 18, 1931 d. 2019
American Nobel-Pulitzer-winning author. Writings: Song of Solomon (1978), Beloved (1987, Pulitzer), and Jazz (1992). She was the first black woman to win the Nobel Prize in Literature (1993).
Creator of B.C. Comic Strip
Johnny Hart (John Lewis Hart)
Born February 18, 1931 d. 2007
American cartoonist. Creator of B.C. (1958) and The Wizard of Id (1963).
Helen Gurley Brown
Born February 18, 1922 d. 2012
American author. Editor of Cosmopolitan magazine (1965-97), which published the first nude male centerfold (1972, Burt Reynolds).
Jack Palance (Volodymyr Palahniuk)
Born February 18, 1919 d. 2006
American Oscar-Emmy-winning actor. Film: Sudden Fear (1952) and City Slickers (1991, Oscar). TV: Ripley's Believe It or Not! (1982-85, host).
Charles Michael Schwab
Born February 18, 1862 d. 1939
American industrialist. Starting out in the steel industry as a stake driver, he rose to president of Carnegie Steel (1897-1901), president of U.S. Steel (1901-03), and chairman of Bethlehem Steel (1903 et seq.). Although at one time his net worth was estimated between $25 million and $40 million ($500 and $800 million in today's dollars), he lost his fortune after the stock market crash of 1929 and died broke.
Note: Not to be confused with Charles R. Schwab, the founder and chairman of the brokerage firm.
Louis Comfort Tiffany
Born February 18, 1848 d. 1933
American artist, glassmaker.
Ernst Mach
Born February 18, 1838 d. 1916
Austrian physicist. The unit of measure of speed "Mach" is named for him.
George Peabody
Born February 18, 1795 d. 1869
American financier, philanthropist, and for whom Peabody, Massachusetts is named. He founded the Peabody Institute in Maryland, the Peabody Museums at Yale and Harvard, and was inducted into the Hall of Fame for Great Americans (1900).
Alessandro Volta
Born February 18, 1745 d. 1827
Italian physicist, inventor of the electric battery, and for whom the volt, the standard unit of electromotive force, is named.
Mary Tudor
Born February 18, 1516 d. 1558
Queen of England and Ireland (1553-58). Her persecution of Protestants for heresy to the Roman Catholic Church earned her the name "Bloody Mary."
Deaths
Stetson (left) and Tom Mix with his Stetson hat
Stetson (left) and Tom Mix with his Stetson hat
Created the Cowboy Hat
John B. Stetson
Died February 18, 1906 b. 1830
American hat maker. He founded his hat company in 1865. Stetson learned the hat-making trade from his father in Philadelphia. After he was diagnosed with tuberculosis and given only a short time to live, he moved to the American West to use his remaining days exploring the wild frontier. Dismayed by the flea-infested coonskin caps worn by many of the gold seekers, in 1865 he created his "Boss of the Plains" hat. It was made of durable waterproof felt and the wide brim provided protection from the hot sun. The hat was an instant success and was worn by such notables as Buffalo Bill, Calamity Jane, Will Rogers, Annie Oakley, Tom Mix, and the Lone Ranger and Stetson's line of hats became known as the de facto cowboy hats.
The Creation of Adam, c1511
The Creation of Adam, c1511
Michelangelo (Michelangelo Buonarroti)
Died February 18, 1564 b. 1475
Italian Renaissance artist. His works include his marble sculpture of David (1504) and the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel in the Vatican (1512).
Martin Luther discovering the doctrine of sola fide (justification by faith alone). By Joseph Noel Paton, 1861
Martin Luther discovering the doctrine of sola fide (justification by faith alone). By Joseph Noel Paton, 1861
Martin Luther
Died February 18, 1546 b. 1483
German religious reformer. His stand on the Bible led to the formation of the Lutheran Church. He was excommunicated (1521) from the Roman Catholic Church for challenging the church's doctrines.
Barbara Bosson
Died February 18, 2023 b. 1939
American actress. TV: Hill Street Blues (1981-86, Fay Furillo).
Richard Bright
Died February 18, 2006 b. 1937
American actor. Film: The Godfather (1972, Al Neri).
Bill Cowsill (William Joseph Cowsill, Jr.)
Died February 18, 2006 b. 1948
American singer, member of the singing family The Cowsills (They were the basis for TV's The Partridge Family). Music: The Rain, The Park & Other Things (1967, #2) and the title song for the musical Hair (1969, #2).
Dale Earnhardt (Ralph Dale Earnhardt, Sr.)
Died February 18, 2001 b. 1951
American Hall of Fame racecar driver. Known as "The Intimidator" for his aggressive driving style. He died in a last-lap crash during the 2001 Daytona 500.
J. Robert Oppenheimer
Died February 18, 1967 b. 1904
American physicist. "father of the atom bomb." He predicted the existence of rapidly rotating neutron stars (1938), black holes (1939), and directed the lab that perfected the atom bomb (1943-45).
Robert Rossen
Died February 18, 1966 b. 1908
American Oscar-winning director. Film: All the King's Men (1949, Best Picture Oscar) and The Hustler (1961).
James "Gentleman Jim" Corbett
Died February 18, 1933 b. 1866
American boxer. World heavyweight boxing champ (1892, the first to win under the Marquess of Queensberry rules). He is considered to be the first scientific boxer.
Frank James
Died February 18, 1915 b. 1843
American outlaw, brother of Jesse James. After Jesse was killed, he surrendered to authorities and was tried twice, but not convicted.
William Sandys
Died February 18, 1874 b. 1792
English lawyer and composer of The First Noel.
Sir William Phips
Died February 18, 1695 b. 1651
English Colonial leader and governor of the Massachusetts Colony (1692-94) during the Salem witchcraft trials.
Gregory V
Died February 18, 999 b. circa 972
German-born religious leader, 138th Pope (996-999). He was the first German pope.