In History, Today on August 18

Genghis Khan, the founder and first Great Khan of the Mongol Empire, died. His death marked the beginning of the division of his empire among his descendants, leading to the establishment of several khanates.

The marriage of Henry of Navarre (the future King Henry IV of France) and Margaret of Valois took place, intended to help reconcile Catholics and Huguenots in France.

Virginia Dare became the first English child born in the Americas, in the Roanoke Colony.

French astronomer Pierre Janssen discovered helium in the solar spectrum during a total solar eclipse in Guntur, India.

The 19th Amendment to the United States Constitution was ratified, granting women the right to vote.

Adolf Hitler ordered a temporary halt to the T4 euthanasia program, which was responsible for the systematic killing of individuals deemed 'unworthy of life' due to severe disabilities or illnesses.

James Meredith became the first African American to graduate from the University of Mississippi.

South Africa was banned from the Olympic Games due to its apartheid policies. This ban lasted until 1992, when South Africa was allowed to compete again after the end of apartheid.

The Woodstock Music & Art Fair concluded after four days of music and peace in Bethel, New York.

The Korean axe murder incident occurred in the Korean Demilitarized Zone, leading to heightened tensions between North and South Korea.

Leading Polish opposition leader Tadeusz Mazowiecki was elected as the first non-communist Prime Minister in Eastern Europe since the end of World War II, marking a significant step in the fall of communism in Eastern Europe.

The August Coup began in the Soviet Union, an attempt by members of the government to take control from Mikhail Gorbachev. This event accelerated the dissolution of the Soviet Union.

The Ruby Ridge standoff began in Idaho, involving Randy Weaver, his family, and federal agents, leading to a deadly confrontation.

Massive power outage in Indonesia affects over 100 million people, making it one of the largest blackouts in history.

Pervez Musharraf, the President of Pakistan, resigned from office to avoid impeachment. His resignation marked the end of nearly nine years of military rule.

A series of coordinated attacks were carried out near Eilat, Israel, resulting in the deaths of eight Israelis. The attacks heightened tensions between Israel and militant groups in the region.

The first terrorist attack in Finland's history occurred in Turku, where a man stabbed ten people, resulting in two deaths.

Protesters in Hong Kong held a massive rally against the extradition bill, with organizers claiming over 1.7 million participants. The protests were part of a larger movement advocating for democratic reforms.

The Democratic National Convention formally nominated Joe Biden as the Democratic candidate for the 2020 U.S. presidential election.