March 18 in History: Famous Births, Events, and Deaths

march-18-in-history-famous-births

March 18 is marked by significant moments in world history. On this day in 1965, Soviet cosmonaut Alexei Leonov became the first human to conduct a spacewalk, a major achievement in space exploration. In 1871, the Paris Commune began, an important event in the history of social movements. Many notable individuals were born on this date, including American singer Queen Latifah in 1970 and philosopher Rudolf Diesel in 1858, who invented the diesel engine. The day reflects human progress in science, art, and political change across generations.

Famous people born on March 18

  • 1837 Grover Cleveland, 22nd and 24th President of the United States
  • 1858 Rudolf Diesel, German inventor and mechanical engineer
  • 1913 René Clément, French film director and screenwriter
  • 1926 Peter Graves, American actor known for the television series "Mission: Impossible"
  • 1932 John Updike, American novelist and poet
  • 1934 Charley Pride, American country music singer and guitarist
  • 1941 Wilson Pickett, American soul singer and songwriter
  • 1949 Alex Higgins, Northern Irish snooker player
  • 1963 Vanessa Williams, American singer and actress
  • 1970 Queen Latifah, American rapper, actress, and producer
  • 1979 Adam Levine, American singer and lead vocalist of Maroon 5
  • 1989 Lily Collins, British-American actress and model
  • Famous events that happened on March 18

  • 1314 Jacques de Molay, the last Grand Master of the Knights Templar, was executed in Paris.
  • 1766 The British Parliament repealed the Stamp Act after intense colonial protest in America.
  • 1871 The Paris Commune was established, marking the start of a revolutionary government in France.
  • 1922 Mahatma Gandhi was sentenced to six years in prison for civil disobedience in India.
  • 1937 A natural gas explosion at a school in New London, Texas, killed nearly 300 students and teachers.
  • 1965 Soviet cosmonaut Alexei Leonov became the first person to conduct a spacewalk, lasting about 12 minutes.
  • 1990 The largest art theft in history took place at the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum in Boston.
  • 2014 Crimea formally declared independence from Ukraine following a controversial referendum.
  • Famous people who died on March 18

  • 1314 Jacques de Molay, last Grand Master of the Knights Templar
  • 1584 Ivan the Terrible, first Tsar of Russia
  • 1845 Johnny Appleseed, American pioneer nurseryman and folk hero
  • 1857 Christian Doppler, Austrian physicist known for the Doppler effect
  • 1913 George I of Greece, King of Greece from 1863 to 1913
  • 1965 Farouk I, former King of Egypt
  • 1980 Tamara de Lempicka, Polish painter known for her Art Deco style
  • 2017 Chuck Berry, American rock and roll singer and guitarist
  • March 18 stands as a reminder of humanity’s ongoing journey through discovery, creativity, and struggle. From the daring first spacewalk by Alexei Leonov to the rise of revolutionary movements like the Paris Commune, this date reflects milestones that shaped global progress. It highlights courage, resilience, and the drive to push beyond limits in politics, science, and culture.

    The day also connects generations through the lives of remarkable individuals born and lost on this date. Leaders, inventors, and artists who came into or left the world on March 18 have left a lasting influence on human history. Their achievements continue to inspire innovation, freedom, and artistic expression across the world.