It’s December 18th, and trust us, we know – there’s still so much to do before the holidays! It’s only one week until Christmas, family gatherings, and pretty much a chaos of red, green, and gold. But, that does not mean that all days other than Christmas should be disregarded! Each day has significance, and December 18th is no exception.
On this day
1The Second Punic War took place
In 218 BC, during the Second Punic War, the Battle of the Trebia took place. Hannibal’s Carthaginian army defeated the Roman forces on Italian soil. A battle that might be long ago now, but one that historians still look back on and remember!
2A new dynasty began in China
In 1271, Kublai Khan renamed his empire “Yuan” (元 yuán). This marked the beginning of the Yuan Dynasty of China. The Yuan dynasty would last until around 1368 according to the history books – so a long reign started today!
3Tasman's ships met the Māori.
On 18 December 1642, Abel Tasman’s ships anchored in Golden Bay, at the top of New Zealand’s South Island. The next day, Māori in canoes attacked a boat, killing four of Tasman’s men, and he sailed away without landing.
4The 18th Amendment passed
In 1917, the US Constitution’s 18th amendment, which allowed the prohibition of alcohol, was approved by the US Congress. It was then sent to the states for ratification. Thankfully for millions of Americans, prohibition didn’t last long – and it hasn’t been reinstated since!
5Shippingport nuclear power station opened.
On 18 December 1957, the Shippingport Atomic Power Station in Pennsylvania began operating, the first full-scale nuclear power plant in the US devoted to peaceful use. Britain’s Calder Hall had opened a year earlier.
Special Days Falling on December 18th
We’re so close to Christmas now, we can all practically smell the goose and roast vegetables! But, there’s still a while to go, so let’s focus on some of the other events that make December so special! For example, here are some of the biggest events taking place around the world today.
Arabic Language Day
Every December 18th, the Arabic-speaking world celebrates their language – it’s a tongue and form of writing that’s been used for over a thousand years – and it’s said to have stemmed from ancient proto-Semitic communication. Believe it or not, more than 400 million people speak Arabic all over the world – so why shouldn’t it have a special day, honestly?
Guru Ghasidas Jayanti
This Indian holiday, falling every year on December 18th, is celebrated within the state of Chhattisgarh. It’s a special occasion to mark the birth of Guru Ghasidas, who would be celebrating today. Ghasidas, who was born in 1756, cared deeply about ridding the world of social inequality, and first set up the Satnami community in the areas of Chhattisgarh. The community’s holding strong today, committed to the cause.
Qatar National Day
Qatar National Day, also known as Founder’s Day, is celebrated every December 18th. It celebrates the rise of Sheikh Jassem. He was known as the father and founder of Qatar. So, the people of Qatar celebrate the country’s rebirth, and their lives today!
This month in history
In 1989, in Romania, a regular television broadcast was interrupted by the announcement that Nicolae Ceausescu and his wife had been executed. They were killed during a popular uprising. Then, a pro-democracy coalition took control.
Famous Birthdays on December 18th
- Ōuchi Yoshitaka, Japanese warlord, born 1507
- Steven Spielberg, American director, born 1946
- Brad Pitt, American actor, born 1963
- Christina Aguilera, American musician, born 1980
- Billie Eilish, American musician, born 2001
If you were born on December 18th
…you’re a Sagittarius! You are just about the funniest person in the room, and, when you’re feeling it, you’ll own that room! You’re confident, kind, and can be a bit boastful, but with qualities like these, who wouldn’t be? If you’re just getting into star signs and horoscopes for the first time, we can’t blame you for wanting to know more.
Luckily, we have just the resource for. Head over to our Sagittarius facts page to learn more!
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