Events on Oct 18
- 0707John VII ends his reign as Catholic Pope
- 1016Danes defeat Saxons at Battle of Assandun (Ashingdon)
- 1210Pope Innocent III excommunicates German Emperor Otto IV
- 1267Battle at Marienholz: Henry III, Otto II van Gelre beat Keuls Archbishop Engelbert III
- 1534New pursuit of French protestants
- 1564John Hawkins begins 2nd trip to America
- 1572Spanish troops attack Maastricht
- 1622French King Louis XIII and Huguenots sign treaty of Montpellier
- 16481st US labor organization forms (Boston Shoemakers)
- 1667English fleet plunders Suriname plantations
- 1672Poland and Turkey sign Peace of Buczacz
- 1685French King Louis XIV revoked Edict van Nantes
- 1685Louis XIV revokes Edict of Nantes, outlaws Protestantism
- 1748Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle, ends War of Austrian Succession
- 1767Boundary between MD and PA, Mason Dixon line, agreed upon
- 1776Battle of Pelham: Col John Glover and Marblehead regiment meet British Forces in Bronx
- 1776In a New York bar decorated with bird tail, customer orders "cock tail"
- 1863Battle of Charlestown, West Virginia
- 1867US takes formal possession of Alaska from Russia ($7.2 million)
- 18731st football game between Toronto Argonauts and Hamilton Tigers
- 1873Columbia Princeton Rutgers andYale set rules for collegiate football
- 1878Edison makes electricity available for household usage
- 1887Start of Sherlock Holmes adventure "A Case of Identity" (BG)
- 18891st all NYC World Series New York Giants (NL) play Brooklyn (AA)
- 1890John Owen is 1st man to run 100 yd dash in under 10 seconds
- 18911st international 6-day bicycle race in US (Madison Square Garden, NYC) begins
- 18921st commercial long-distance phone line opens (Chicago-NY)
- 1898American flag raised in Puerto Rico
- 1904Mahlers 5th symphony premieres in Cologne
- 1908Belgium annexes Congo Free State
Born on Oct 18
- 1239Stefanus V: Prince of Transylvania / King of Hungary (1270-72)
- 1405Pius II [Aenea S Piccolomini]: Italian Pope (1458-64) (Cynthia)
- 1547Justus Lipsius [Joost Lips]: Dutch classic philologist / historian
- 1611Valentin Strobel: Composer
- 1638Lars Johnstown [Lasse Lucidor]: Swedish poet
- 1663Frans Eugenius: Duke / Prince of Savoye / land guardian of Austria-Netherlands
- 1668Johan Georg IV: Elector of Saxony (1691-94)
- 1668Wierich PL Earl von Daun: Austrian Prince of Thiano / Field Marshal
- 1697Giovanni Canaletto: Venetian painter (Venicei Regatta on Grand Canal)
- 1712Jeremias van Riemsdijk: Governor-General of Dutch Indies (1775-77)
- 1777Heinrich von Kleist: Germany -- Dramatist / poet (Penthesilea)
- 1785Thomas Love Peacock: English author (Headlong Hall)
- 1789Giovanni Tadolini: Composer
- 1794Ferdinand Lukas Schubert: Composer
- 1804Rama IV [Phra Chomklao Chaoyuhua]: King of Thailand (1851-68)
- 1806John Breckinridge Grayson: Brigadier General (Confederate Army), died in 1861
- 1811Hugh Thompson Reid: Brigadier General (Union volunteers), died in 1874
- 1818Edward Otho Cresap Ord: Major General (Union volunteers), died in 1883
- 1829Charles Sidney Winder: Brigadier General (Confederate Army), died in 1862
- 1829Lucius Marshall Walker: Brigadier General (Confederate Army), died in 1863
- 1831Frederik III NK of Hohenzollern: German Kaiser / King of Prussia
- 1833Johannes Habert: Composer
- 1837Friedrich W Mengelberg: German sculptor / painter
- 1844Emille-Louis-Victor Mathieu: Composer
- 1850Francis Thome: Composer
- 1854Solomon A Andree: Swedish engineer / balloonist / Artic explorer
- 1859Henri Bergson: France -- Philosopher (Creative Evolution-Nobel 1927)
- 1871Louis de Vries: Dutch actor (Ghetto)
- 1872Josephine CMA: Princess of Belgium / nun
- 1875James E K Aggrey: Ghana -- US Theologian / educationalist
Died on Oct 18
- 0707John VII: Greek Pope (705-07)
- 1216John: King of England (1199-1216, Magna Charta)
- 1340Henry Henricus of Friemar: Augustine philosopher
- 1417Gregorius XII [Angelo Correr]: Pope (1406-15)
- 1459Jan of Heinsberg: Bishop of Luik (1419-56)
- 1503Pius III [Francesco Todeschini]: Pope (9 / 22-10 / 18 / 1503)
- 1545John Taverner: English Composer (Western Wynde), dies at about 55
- 1558Maria: Queen of Hungary / guardian of the Netherlands (1531-55), dies at 53
- 1589Adolf van Nieuwenaar and Meurs: Viceroy of Utrecht, dies in battle
- 1678Cornelis Galle II: Flemish engraver / illustrator, dies at 63
- 1678Jacob Jordaens: Flemish barok painter, dies at 85
- 1767Joseph Paul Ziegler: Composer, dies at 45
- 1771Robert Praelisauer: Composer, dies at 62
- 1788Jean-Guillain Cardon: Composer, dies at 56
- 1830Peter I Petrovic Njegos: Bishop (Montenegro)
- 1832Othon Joseph Vandenbroek: Composer, dies at 73
- 1839French Jozef Kinsoen: Flemish portrait painter, dies at 68
- 1862James Creighton: Dies of a ruptured bladder from hitting home run on October 14th
- 1864David Bell Birney: US lawyer / Union General Major, dies at 39
- 1864Jacques Francois Gallay: Composer, dies at 68
- 1865Lord Henry JT Palmerston: English Minister of Foreign Affairs, dies at 80
- 1876Francis Preston Blair: Newspaper editor (Washington Globe), dies at 85
- 1893Charles F Gounod: French Composer (La reine the Saba), dies at 75
- 1893Lucy [Blackwell-]Stone: US abolitionist / feminist
- 1909Alfredo Oriani: Italian writer (La rivolta ideal)
- 1931Thomas Alva Edison: Inventor, dies at 84 in West Orange, New Jersey
- 1938Karl J Kautsky: Austrian marxist / socialist
- 1940Suze Groeneweg: 1st woman in Dutch 2nd Chamber (1918-37), dies at 65
- 1941Dirk Fock: Governor-General van / of the Netherlands Indies 1921-6, dies at 83
- 1943Benedictus H Dancer: Botanist, dies at 52
Historical events on October 19
- 0615St. Deusdedit I begins his reign as Catholic Pope
- 1031Abbot Humbertus van Echternach opens grave of Saint Willibrord
- 1298Rindfleish-140 Jews of Heilbron Germany are murdered
- 14532nd Battle at Castillon: France beats English, end of hundred year war
- 14662nd Peace of Thorn
- 1492Columbus sites "Isabela" (Fortune Island, Bahamas)
- 1576Dutch provinces begin consultation about Spanish existence
- 1630In Boston the 1st general court is held
- 1634Beach Island in North sea destroyed by a heavy storm flood
- 1682English Lord Shaftesbury flees to Holland
- 1722French C Hopffer patents fire extinguisher
- 1765Stamp Act Congress met in NY, wrote Declaration of Rights and Liberties
- 1781Cornwallis surrenders at Yorktown at 2pm; Revolutionary War ends
- 1812Napoleon begins his retreat from Moscow
- 1818US and Chicasaw Indians sign a treaty
- 1849Elizabeth Blackwell becomes 1st woman in US to receive medical degree
- 18531st flour mill in Hawaii begins operations
- 1856James Kelly and Jack Smith fight bareknuckle for 6h15m in Melbourne
- 1859Wilhelm Tempel discovers diffuse nebula around Pleid star Merope
- 1863Battle of Buckland Mills, Virginia
- 1864Battle of Cedar Creek, Virginia, Union beats back Confederate attackers
- 1864US Brigadier General Emory Upton (25) promoted to General Major
- 18701st (4) blacks elected to House of Reps
- 1870British SS Cambria leaves for Noth sea coast, 196 killed
- 1874Mary Walsh and Charles Colson are 1st couple to be married in a balloon
- 1879Thomas Edison demonstrates electric light
- 1882Pierre de Brazza meets Henry Morton Stanley
- 1888Moshav Gederah is attacked by Arabs
- 1900Henry O Tanner, painter, wins Medal of Honor at Paris Exposition
- 1900S African President Paul Kruger departs for Europe
Born on October 19
- 1507Viglius ab Aytta Zuichemus [Aytta van Zwichem]: Dutch priest
- 1545Giovanale Ancina: Composer
- 1581Dimitri Ivanovitch: Russian Son of Ivan IV "the Terrible"
- 1605Thomas Browne: British writer (Garden of Cyrus)
- 1652Louis Le Quointe: Composer
- 1684Johann Christoph Fravenholtz: Composer
- 1690Giuseppi Maria Carretti: Composer
- 1784Leigh Hunt: British writer (Lord Byron)
- 1792Dirk Donker Curtius: Dutch attorney / Minister of Justice (liberal)
- 1810Cassius Marcellus Clay: Major General (Union volunteers), died in 1903
- 1819Joseph C Juglar: French Physician / economist (Crises Commercial)
- 1824Frantisek Pivoda: Composer
- 1824Rufus Saxton: Bvt Major General (Union volunteers), died in 1908
- 1828Adolfo Fumagalli: Composer
- 1834Francis Channing Barlow: US lawyer / General Major / co-founder (ABA)
- 1850Annie S Peck: Mountain climber / explorer / diplomat
- 1859Georg Knorr: German engineer (brake system trains)
- 1863John Huston Finley: Illinois, United States -- Editor (NY Times (1937-38)
- 1866Clarence Lucas: Composer
- 1868Bertha Landes: 1st woman elected Mayor of a major US city (Seattle)
- 1871Walter B Cannon: US physiologist (Wisdom of the Body)
- 1873Jaap Eden: Dutch World Champion cycling and speed skating
- 1876Mordecai [3 finger] Brown: Hall of fame pitcher
- 1882Vincas Kreve-Mickievicius: Lithuania -- Poet / philologist / playwright
- 1889Uncle Art Satherly: Entertainer (1968 Academy of Country Music Award)
- 1892Alexander A Aljechin: Russian / French chess champ (1927-35, 37-46)
- 1892Ilmari Hannikainen: Composer
- 1895Louis Mumford: Cultural historian / city planner / writer
- 1899Miguel Asturias: Guatemala -- Poet / diplomat (Hombres de Maiz, Nobel 67)
- 1900Theodoro Valcarcel: Composer
Died on October 19
- 1268Konradin von Hohenstaufen: Duke of Zwaben, beheaded
- 1547Pierino del Vaga: Italian painter, dies at about 46
- 1608Martinus A del Rio: Spanish lawyer Historian / theologist
- 1609Jacobus Arminius [Jacob Hermans]: Theologist, dies at about 49
- 1758Johan H Roman: Finnish / Swedish Composer / conductor / violinist
- 1786Pietro Alessandro Pavona: Composer, dies at 58
- 1790Lyman Hall: US Physician / signer (Declaration of Independence), dies at 66
- 1793Francisco Morera: Composer, dies at 62
- 1813Josef Poniatovski: Polish General / marshal of France, dies in battle
- 1834Cornelis Loots: Accountant / Poet (Volkswoede), dies at 69
- 1835Henry Doeff: Translator (Dutch-Japanese dictionary), dies at 57
- 1838Henry Fagel: Baron / court clerk of States-General / diplomat, dies at 73
- 1864Daniel Davidson Bidwell: Magistrate / Brigadier General, dies in battle at 45
- 1888Amaat Vyncke: Flemish Missionary / founder (Flemish Wind), dies at 38
- 1909Cesare Lombroso: Italian psychiatrist / criminologist
- 1918Joseph Lesage: French Painter / etcher (WWI), dies at 34
- 1921Antonio Granjo: Premier (Portugal), murdered
- 1932Arthur Friedheim: Composer, dies at 72
- 1934Johan J Arch: Graphic artist (houtgravures), dies at 63
- 1937Ernest Rutherford baron of Nelson: Engl physicist (Nobel 1908)
- 1955John Hodiak: Actress (Lifeboat, Battleground), dies at 41
- 1957Vere G Childe: British archaeologist / prehistorian, dies at 65
- 1959Boughera El Quafi: Marathoner (1928 Olympics - Gold Medalist), shot to death at 60
- 1959Stanley Bate: Composer, dies at 45
- 1961Benjamin Merkelbach: Architect / city builder of Amsterdam, dies at 60
- 1961John Axel Fernstrom: Composer, dies at 63
- 1964Maurice Gosfield: Actor (Doberman-Phil Silvers Show), dies at 51
- 1966Elizabeth Arden: US cosmetic manufacturer
- 1971Alberto Pirelli: Italian industrial, dies at 89
- 1971Betty Bronson: Actress (Naked Kiss), dies after brief illness at 64
Events on Oct 20
- 10971st Crusaders arrive in Antioch
- 1528Treaty of Gorinchem (Emperor & church)
- 1536Danish / Norw King Christian III leads reform in Catholic possessions
- 1576Spanish troops occupies and plunder Maastricht
- 1587Battle at Coultras: Henri van Navarra beats Catholic League
- 1603Chinese uprising in Philippines fails after 23,000 killed
- 1634English King Charles I disbands new "Ship Money" tax
- 1714Georg Ludwig of Hannover crowned as King George I
- 1740Maria Theresa became ruler of Austria, Hungary and Bohemia
- 1751Royal ship Duc de Bourgogne launched at Rochefort
- 1774Continental Congress orders discouragment of entertainment
- 1786Harvard University organizes 1st astronomical expedition in US
- 1803US Senate ratifies Louisiana Purchase
- 1813German Kingdom of Westphalia abolished
- 18171st Mississippi "Showboat, " leaves Nashville on maiden voyage
- 181849th parallel forms as border between US and Canada
- 1818US and Britain agree to joint control of Oregon country
- 1820Spain sells part of Florida to US for $5 million
- 18221st edition of London Sunday Times
- 1827Battle at Navarino: Engl / Russ / French fleet beat Turk / Egyptian fleet
- 1833Charles Darwin reaches river mouth of Parana
- 1835HMS Beagle leaves Galapagos Archipelago / sails to Tahiti
- 18431st Chinese immigrant arrives in Suriname
- 1847Little William Nelman poisons his grandpa
- 1856Arnhem-Oberhausen railway in the Netherlands opens
- 1862Amnesty proclaimed for escaped slaves of Suriname
- 1864Lincoln formaly establishes Thanksgiving as a National holiday
- 1873P T Barnum Hippodrome featuring "Greatest Show on Earth, " opens (NYC)
- 1880Amsterdam Free University opens
- 1883Treaty of Ancon, Peru cedes Tarapaca to Chile
Born on Oct 20
- 1435Andrea Della Robbia: Florence, Italy -- Sculptor, nephew of Luca
- 1475Giovanni Rucellai: Italian poet (Le Api)
- 1496Claude de Lutherans: Duke of Guise
- 1632Christopher Wren: England, United Kingdom -- Astronomer / great architect
- 1637Nicolaas van der Veken: Flemish sculptor (confessional chairs)
- 1679Samuel von Cocceji: German lawyer
- 1719Gottfried Achenwall: German lawyer / statistician / economist
- 1740Belle van Zuylen: Netherlands -- Swiss writer (Three Women)
- 1751Hendrik van Stralen: Dutch MP / Secretary of Interior
- 1780M Pauline Bonaparte: Corsican Duchess of Parma / Guastalla
- 1784Lord Henry JT Palmerston: English Minister of Foreign Affairs
- 1788Philip Knapton: Composer
- 1792Anton Bernhard Furstenau: Composer
- 1792Colin Campbell / Lord Clyde: British officer (Sepoy-uprising)
- 1808Karl [Theodor] Andree: German geographer / journalist (Globus)
- 1812Austin Flint: 19th century heart research pioneer
- 1819Daniel Edgar Sickles: Major General (Union volunteers), died in 1914
- 1819Karol Mikuli: Composer
- 1820Benjamin Franklin Cheatham: Major General (Confederate Army)
- 1820George Jerrison Stannard: Bvt Major General (Union volunteers)
- 1822Mansfield Lovell: Major General (Confederate Army), died in 1884
- 1843Victor de Stuers: Dutch art connoisseur
- 1854Alphonse Allais: French author / humorist (Pass the Bile)
- 1854Arthur Rimbaud: France -- Poet / adventurer (Illuminations)
- 1859John Dewey: Philosopher, educational theorist / writer (Learn by doing)
- 1871Frederick Burton: Indiana, United States -- Actor (One Way Passage)
- 1874Charles Edward Ives: Danbury, Connecticut -- Composer (Holiday Quick Step)
- 1874Viscount Palmerston: (Whig) British Prime Minister (1855-65)
- 1877Josephine McGill: Composer
- 1884Thomas Chalmers: NYC, New York -- Actor (Blind Alleys, Outrage)
Died on Oct 20
- 0460Eudocia Aelia Athenais: Empress Oostromeinse Rich / poetess
- 1139Henry X the Trotse: Duke of Bayern (1126-38)
- 1187Urbanus III [Umberto Crivelli]: Italian Pope (1185-87)
- 1268Conrad Hohenstaufen [Conrad van Zwaben]: Son of Conrad IV
- 1268Konradijn Hohenstaufen: Son of Koenraad IV, beheaded in Naples
- 1274Engelbert II of Falkenburg: Archbishop of Cologne
- 1438Jacopo di Piero della Quercia: Italian sculptor, dies at about 64
- 1525Joannes Custos: S Netherlands humanist, dies at about 50
- 1676Christopher Gibbons: Composer, dies at 61
- 1740Karl VI: German Emperor (1711-40)
- 1765William August Duke of Cumberland: Engl Supreme Commander, dies at 44
- 1794James Adam: System Architect (essays on agriculture), dies at about 64
- 1819Lambert-Francois Godecharle: Composer, dies at 66
- 1864Stephen Dodson Ramseur: Confederate General Major, dies at 27
- 1870Michael William Balfe: Composer (Bohemian Girl), dies at 62
- 1871Charles Babbage: English Mathematician (calculator), dies at 78
- 1876Jeronimo de Bosch Kemper: Dutch sociologist / historian, dies at 68
- 1899Robert H "Bobby" Gunning: British Colonel (60th Rifles), dies in battle
- 1900Charles Dudley Warner: US writer (As We Go), dies at 70
- 1904Henry Hiles: Composer, dies at 77
- 1906William "Buck" Ewing: Hall of fame catcher (New York Giants), dies at 67
- 1913Leander Schlegel: Composer, dies at 69
- 1927Mikhail Mikhaylovich Ivanov: Composer, dies at 78
- 1929Rudolf Kittel: German theologist, dies at 76
- 1931Emanuel Moor: Composer, dies at 68
- 1942May Robson: Actress (Star is Born, Reckless), dies at 84
- 1944Gabriel Groulez: Composer, dies at 65
- 1950Henry Lewsis Stimson: US Minister of War / Governor-General
- 1952Basil Radford: Actor (Whisky Galore, Dead of Night), dies at 55
- 1954Willie Shaw: Race car driver (Indy 500-1937, 39, 40), dies at 51