April 18 in History: Paul Revere’s Ride, San Francisco Earthquake, and Yankee Stadium Opens

Scott Winters April 18, 2026 0 Comments

Discover what happened on April 18 in history, along with notable events that shaped revolution, disaster, and sports history.

What Happened on April 18 in History?

From a midnight ride that helped spark the American Revolution to a devastating earthquake and the opening of an iconic ballpark, April 18 marks moments that left a lasting impact on history.

APRIL 18 – TODAY IN HISTORY:

1775 – American revolutionaries Paul Revere, William Dawes and Samuel Prescott rode though the towns of Massachusetts giving the warning that the Regulars were coming out. The phrase “the British are coming” was attributed to Revere even though he probably never used that wording.

1838 – The Wilkes’ expedition to the South Pole set sail.

1846 – The telegraph ticker was patented by R.E. House

1877 – Charles Cros wrote a paper that described the process of recording and reproducing sound. In France, Cros is regarded as the inventor of the phonograph. In the U.S., Thomas Edison gets the credit.

1895 – New York State passed an act that established free public baths.

1906 – The Great San Francisco, CA, earthquake hit. The original death toll was cited at about 700. Later information indicated that the death toll may have been 3 to 4 times the original estimate.

1910 – Walter R. Brookins made the first airplane flight at night.

1923 – Yankee Stadium opened in the Bronx, NY. The Yankees beat the Boston Red Sox 4-1. John Phillip Sousa’s band played the National Anthem.

1924 – Simon and Schuster, Inc. published the first “Crossword Puzzle Book.”

1934 – The first Laundromat opened in Fort Worth, TX.

1938 – Superman made his debut when he appeared in the first issue of Action Comics. (Cover date June 1938)

1938 – President Franklin Roosevelt threw out the first ball preceding the season opener between the Washington Senators and the Philadelphia Athletics.

1950 – The first transatlantic jet passenger trip was completed.

1960 – The Mutual Broadcasting System was sold to the 3M Company of Minnesota for $1.25 million.

1977 – Author Alex Haley won the Pulitzer Prize for “Roots”.

1978 – The U.S. Senate approved the transfer of the Panama Canal to Panama on December 31, 1999.

1979 – The television show “Real People” premiered on NBC.

1983 – TV’s The Disney Channel debuted.

1983 – The U.S. Embassy in Beirut, Lebanon, was blown up by a suicide car-bomber. 63 people were killed including 17 Americans.

1984 – Daredevils Mike MacCarthy and Amanda Tucker made a sky dive from the Eiffel Tower. The jump ended safely.

1984 – Michael Jackson underwent surgery in Los Angeles, CA. Doctors performed scalp surgery to repair damage done after Jackson’s hair caught fire during the filming of a Pepsi commercial on January 27.

1985 – Ted Turner filed for a hostile takeover of CBS.

1991 – Charlie Kovacs of Seymour, Victoria, Australia, set the world camper speed record by towing his Roadster camper at a speed of 126.76 miles per hour.

1995 – Joe Montana of the San Francisco 49ers retired from football after 17 NFL seasons.

1999 – Wayne Gretzky, of the New York Rangers, played his final game in the NHL. He retired as the NHL’s all-time leading scorer and holder of 61 individual records.

2000 – The Nasdaq had the biggest one-day point gain in its history.

2002 – Actor Robert Blake and his bodyguard were arrested in connection with the shooting death of Blake’s wife, Bonny Lee Bakley, who was shot in the couple’s car outside a Studio City, CA restaurant the previous May.

2003 – Etta James received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

2008 – The movie “Forgetting Sarah Marshall”, starring Jason Segel, Kristen Bell, Mila Kunis and Russell Brand, premiered.

2013 – The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inducted its Class of 2013. They inductees were Rush, Heart, Randy Newman, Public Enemy, Donna Summer, Albert King, Lou Adler and Quincy Jones.

2014 – Sixteen people were killed in an avalanche on Mount Everest.

2019 – A redacted version of the Mueller Report was released to the United States Congress and the public. The report found no collusion between Russian and President Donald Trump’s campaign, but numerous instances of possible obstruction of justice.

CELEBRITY BIRTHDAYS ON APRIL 18:

George Shirley – 92 years old (1934) – African-American tenor and educator

Glen Hardin – 87 years old (1939) – Pianist and arranger

Joseph L. Goldstein – 86 years old (1940) – Biochemist and geneticist, Nobel Prize laureate

Robert Christgau – 84 years old (1942) – Journalist and critic

James Woods – 79 years old (1947) – Actor and producer

Rick Moranis – 73 years old (1953) – Canadian-American actor, comedian, singer and screenwriter

Robert Greenberg – 72 years old (1954) – Pianist and composer

Susan Faludi – 67 years old (1959) – Journalist, author and feminist

John Podhoretz – 65 years old (1961) – Journalist and author

Jeff Dunham – 64 years old (1962) – Ventriloquist and comedian

Conan O'Brien – 63 years old (1963) – Television host, comedian, and writer

Keith DeCandido – 57 years old (1969) – Author

Willie Roaf – 56 years old (1970) – Football player

Rosa Clemente – 54 years old (1972) – Journalist and activist

Eli Roth – 54 years old (1972) – Actor, director, producer, and screenwriter

Derrick Brooks – 53 years old (1973) – Football player

Melissa Joan Hart – 50 years old (1976) – Actress

Andrew Ng – 50 years old (1976) – British-born American artificial intelligence researcher

Kourtney Kardashian – 47 years old (1979) – Television personality

America Ferrera – 42 years old (1984) – Actress

Alia Shawkat – 37 years old (1989) – Actress

Chloe Bennet – 34 years old (1992) – Actress

Aminé – 32 years old (1994) – Singer-songwriter

Ski Mask the Slump God – 30 years old (1996) – Rapper

DAYS OF THE YEAR FOR APRIL 18:

International Amateur Radio Day: The “International” in “International Amateur Radio Day” honors how amateur radio-ers pioneered fast, immediate global connection in the 20th century.
World Heritage Day: Visit and support your local cultural icons and monuments, or travel to see some of the remarkable cultural heritage sites from all over the wide world.
National Animal Crackers Day: A classic favorite snack for children of generations, simply take some time to enjoy some sweet, fun animal crackers on National Animal Crackers Day.
National Lineman Appreciation Day: Many of us take electricity for granted, but we wouldn’t have it at all if it weren’t for the men and women who risk their lives to maintain it every day.
National Columnists’ Day: Peruse your paper for the often entertaining, often sage advice of a columnist like Dear Abby, or write in to see if they have some insight into your own problems.
National Velociraptor Awareness Day: What would you call a sleeping dinosaur? A dino-snore. National Velociraptor Awareness Day is here! It’s time to bust out your dino-mite puns. Celebrated annually, it pays homage to favorite prehistoric creatures: velociraptors. It’s a fun day of education. So, the day might not involve the heart-stopping excitement of dodging...
National Exercise Day: Engaging in physical activity invigorates the body, fostering vitality and well-being with each rhythmic movement and breath.
National Piñata Day: Get a bat, get a piñata, and whack away! It doesn’t have to be a birthday or other occasion to treat yourself to a cathartic piñata—or try making your own.
Sleep Apnea Awareness Day: Sleep Apnea Awareness Day highlights the significance of understanding and managing this common sleep disorder. Many people are unaware they have sleep apnea, leading to serious health issues like heart disease, diabetes, and depression. When we bring attention to this condition, we can encourage individuals to recognize symptoms and seek...
World Circus Day: Step into a world where balance defies gravity and every move tells a story. World Circus Day celebrates the breathtaking artistry found beneath the striped tent. High above, trapeze artists twist through the air. Below, clowns stir laughter with clever timing. Each act bursts with color, rhythm, and daring. This...
International Jugglers Day: International Jugglers Day, celebrated annually, is a vibrant occasion that unites jugglers and enthusiasts from around the globe. It highlights the skill, creativity, and joy that juggling brings to both performers and audiences. The day serves as a reminder of the rich cultural significance of juggling, a practice that spans over...
Husband Appreciation Day: Married couples know it’s all too easy to take your partner for granted, so take some extra time on Husband Appreciation Day to show some affection to your husband.
Pet Owners Independence Day: For one day, flip the script on that furry freeloader and make them take care of you. Lie on the carpet, kick your ear, don’t go to work and taste the freedom.
Adult Autism Awareness Day: Adult Autism Awareness Day, celebrated annually, is a vibrant event that shines a light on the lives of adults with autism. This day is dedicated to increasing recognition of the challenges they face daily and the diversity within the autism community. By focusing on adult autism, the day helps promote a...
National Dog Bite Prevention Week: It is hard to think something as loyal as a dog could ever harm someone. But even the sweetest pup may react when afraid or stressed. National Dog Bite Prevention Week brings this truth into focus. It reminds people that bites often come from everyday situations—startling a dog, grabbing its toy...
Money Smart Week: Being smart with money isn't just about saving; it's also about making informed decisions and enjoying the process. Money Smart Week offers the perfect opportunity to dive into financial literacy and reconsider financial habits. In its essence, Money Smart Week is a lively event held annually to boost financial literacy...
Discover National Parks Fortnight: Discover National Parks Fortnight invites everyone to join in on an adventure - exploring the stunning landscapes and rich biodiversity of national parks. This fantastic outdoor-themed event spans two weeks each year. This period is the ideal opportunity to reconnect with the great outdoors and appreciate the environmental treasures within...
FOP Awareness Month: Raising awareness for a rare condition, efforts unite to support those facing the challenges of Fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva.
Cleaning for a Reason Week: Cleaning for a Reason Week is a special time when cleaning companies, donors, and communities come together to support people going through cancer treatment. During this week, the goal is to bring in more cleaning partners, raise money, and help more households with free cleaning services. Volunteers and professional cleaners pitch...
National Park Week: Say hello to beautiful plants, native wildlife, natural landscapes, and unique terrains because it’s time to celebrate and enjoy National Park Week! History of National Park Week The first National Park Week was celebrated in 1991 when it was declared by US President George H.W. Bush to honor the 75th anniversary...
National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week: From 9-1-1 emergency call operators and alarm systems to answering other non-emergency forms of communication such as texts, emails and social media contacts, public safety telecommunicators have a lot on the line every day when they show up for work! As technology rapidly advances and evolves, so do the opportunities for...
Global Days of Action on Military Spending: The Global Days of Action on Military Spending is a lively global campaign that invites people everywhere to rethink how public funds are used. It urges governments to shift resources from arms to real security, like health, education, and clean energy. When new military spending data arrives, advocates use the moment...
National Green Week: National Green Week is an exciting initiative that brings attention to the importance of environmental sustainability. Schools and organizations across the country use this week to engage students in activities that promote greener living. The event aims to inspire young minds to adopt eco-friendly habits that can make a lasting...
Hate Week: Hate Week acts as a mass event in George Orwell’s novel 1984. Citizens gather for parades, rallies, and propaganda shows. Party speakers whip crowds into fierce emotion. They scream slogans and chant new songs. That energy binds them together. It channels collective anger toward whichever enemy the state targets. A sudden...