This Day In History, April 18th.
Five Historical Events That Happened on April 18th.
1775: On the evening of April 18, Paul Revere's renowned midnight journey got underway. In order to alert American patriots that British forces were approaching them, he rode through the countryside of Massachusetts.
1906: On April 18, a tremendous earthquake with a 7.8 Richter scale shook San Francisco, California. More than 3,000 people were killed and tens of thousands were left homeless as a result of the earthquake and the accompanying flames that completely devastated the city.
1930: The BBC announced that there was no news on April 18th, prompting the famous saying, "There is no news today, today is April 18th."
1942: On April 18, the United States began the infamous Doolittle Raid. From the USS Hornet, sixteen B-25 bombers were launched to target Tokyo and other Japanese towns. After the attack on Pearl Harbor, the raid helped the Americans' morale.
1983: On April 18, 63 persons, including 17 Americans, were murdered in a suicide bombing at the American embassy in Beirut, Lebanon. A Shiite Muslim organization launched the assault in response for American military action in Lebanon.
April 18th, 1775: Paul Revere’s famous midnight ride began on the night of April 18th. He rode through the Massachusetts countryside to warn American patriots that British troops were marching towards them.
Prior to the Battles of Lexington and Concord, Paul Revere, a silversmith and patriot in colonial America, is renowned for his part in notifying the American revolutionaries of the impending British forces. He rode from Boston to Lexington and Concord on the evening of April 18, 1775, informing the Americans that "The British are coming!" His ride was a crucial moment in the American Revolution because it served to notify the American army.
1906: A massive earthquake measuring 7.8 on the Richter scale struck San Francisco, California, on April 18th. The earthquake and the subsequent fires destroyed most of the city, killing more than 3,000 people and leaving tens of thousands homeless.
One of the strongest and most catastrophic earthquakes in American history was the San Francisco earthquake of 1906. On April 18, 1906, it occurred around 5:12 a.m. and lasted for nearly a minute. Over 3,000 people died and more than 80% of the city's population was left homeless as a result of the earthquake and the subsequent flames that completely devastated the city. The whole US West Coast's economy was significantly impacted by the earthquake as well.
1930: The BBC announced that there was no news on April 18th, prompting the famous saying, "There is no news today, today is April 18th."
"Good evening," started the BBC's 8:45 p.m. radio news broadcast on April 18, 1930. Good Friday is today. There's nothing new. Piano music played for the next fifteen minutes. The "BBC's no news" incident is now referred to as this occurrence and has entered broadcasting lore. Since then, the adage "There is no news today, it's April 18th" has come to signify a day with few noteworthy or intriguing happenings.
1942: The famous Doolittle Raid was launched by the United States on April 18th. Sixteen B-25 bombers took off from the USS Hornet and bombed Tokyo and other Japanese.
During World War II, the United States launched a surprise air attack on Tokyo and other sites in Japan. 16 B-25 bombers took out from the USS Hornet aircraft carrier on April 18, 1942, and traveled more than 600 miles before dropping bombs on Tokyo and other Japanese towns. Although Lieutenant Colonel James Doolittle's attack only caused modest physical damage, it dealt the Japanese a severe psychological blow and was viewed as a boost to American morale. The attack also compelled the Japanese military to shift resources away from the front lines to protect home territory, which had long-term strategic repercussions for the conflict.
1983: A suicide bombing at the U.S. Embassy in Beirut, Lebanon, killed 63 people, including 17 Americans, on April 18th. The attack was carried out by a Shiite Muslim group in retaliation for American military intervention in Lebanon.
In Beirut, Lebanon, on April 18, 1983, a suicide bomber driving an explosives-laden vehicle rammed through the gates of the American embassy and exploded a bomb, killing 63 people—including 17 Americans—and wounding over 100 others. A Shiite Muslim organization known as Islamic Jihad, which was associated with Iran and opposed American military action in Lebanon, carried out the attack. The incident represented a turning point in American participation in Lebanon and one of the bloodiest assaults against American diplomatic staff. As a result, American forces withdrew from the nation.