Fact 1: Edgar Allan Poe’s Birthday
January 18th marks the birthday of one of the most well-known American Gothic writers - Edgar Allan Poe. Born in 1809, Poe's works, such as "The Raven" and "The Tell-Tale Heart", continue to captivate readers and literature enthusiasts around the world.
Fact 2: National Thesaurus Day
January 18 is also celebrated as National Thesaurus Day in the USA. Coincidentally, this date also marks the birthday of Peter Mark Roget, the British physician, natural theologian and lexicographer, known for publishing 'Thesaurus of English Words and Phrases' in 1852.
Fact 3: A Significant Day in the American Civil Rights Movement
On January 18, 1952, Curly Dinkins became the first African American to play in the NBA, marking a significant date in American Civil rights history.
Fact 4: Daniel Webster's Historic Speech
Back in 1830, January 18 became renowned as the day Daniel Webster delivered his famous "Hayne-Webster Debate" speech, in defense of the federal government and against the concept of states rights.
Fact 5: The Bee Gees landed their First US Number One
On January 18, 1976, The Bee Gees hit number one on the US charts with "Saturday Night Fever", pushing their career to stratospheric heights and marking the official takeover of disco music in the US.
Fact 6: The Release of the First "I Have a Dream" speech
On January 18, 1952, Martin Luther King Jr.’s first "I Have a Dream" speech was publicly released. However, King didn't deliver his more recognized "I Have a Dream" speech until 1963, during the March on Washington.
Fact 7: Birthday of the Famous Film Director John Boorman
John Boorman, the famous English filmmaker known for works like "Deliverance", "Excalibur", and "Hope and Glory", was born on January 18, 1933. He is one of the few filmmakers who has received both the Best Director and Best Picture Oscars.
Fact 8: Debut of "The Beatles" on an American Chart
January 18, 1964 marks the date "The Beatles" debuted on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in the US with their hit tune "I Wanna Hold Your Hand", cementing their place in music history.
Fact 9: World's First Cheeseburger Served
On January 18, 1921, the world's first cheeseburger was reportedly served by Lionel Sternberger in Pasadena, California, at his father's sandwich shop – "The Rite Spot". This delightful culinary creation has been an American favorite ever since.
Fact 10: Hawaii's Deadliest Tsunami
January 18, 1918, witnessed Hawaii's deadliest tsunami. Triggered by an earthquake in the Kona area of the Big Island, the tsunami led to considerable loss of life and property.
Fact 11: The First Winter Olympics
On January 18, 1924, the first Winter Olympics took place in Chamonix and Haute-Savoie, France. More than 250 athletes from 16 nations attended the games, competing in five sports.
Fact 12: The Premiere of "Sesame Street"
"Sesame Street", the beloved children’s educational television series, premiered in Japan on January 18, 1971. The characters have become cultural icons known to children worldwide.
Fact 13: The Opening of the Metropolitan Museum of Art
New York City’s Metropolitan Museum of Art was officially opened to the public on January 18, 1872, and has since become one of the world's largest and most important art museums.
Fact 14: David Ruffin's Birth Anniversary
On January 18, 1941, David Ruffin, the lead vocalist of the critically acclaimed RNB group "The Temptations", was born. Ruffin's voice is behind hits like "My Girl" and "Ain't Too Proud to Beg".
Fact 15: The Release of Pink Floyd's "The Wall"
January 18, 1980, was the date when the famous Pink Floyd movie - "The Wall" was released in the United Kingdom, based on their 1979 album of the same name.
Fact 16: The Launching of Hubble Space Telescope
On January 18, 1990, the Hubble Space Telescope was launched into space to unravel the universe's mysteries and has been providing splendid pictures of the cosmos since then.
Fact 17: A.A. Milne’s Birthday
The creator of the beloved character 'Winnie the Pooh', A.A. Milne, was born on January 18, 1882. His birth anniversary is commemorated as 'Winnie the Pooh Day'.
Fact 18: Birthday of Kevin Costner
Academy Award-winning actor, producer, film director, and businessman Kevin Costner was born on January 18, 1955. Known for iconic roles in movies like 'Dances with Wolves' and 'The Bodyguard', he has left an indelible mark on Hollywood.
Fact 19: Birthday of Cary Grant
January 18, 1904, marked the birth of one of Hollywood's most charming actors, Cary Grant. Recognized for his roles in "North by Northwest" and "Charade", Grant’s contribution to silver screen classics is monumental.
Fact 20: The First Tanned Leather Boot
On January 18, 1886, the first tanned leather shoe was patented by Albert Spalding in the United States, marking a significant advancement in footwear technology.