In History, Today on September 18

Typhoon Nanmadol made landfall in southern Japan. It was a particularly powerful typhoon, causing widespread damage, power outages, and prompting extensive evacuations in the affected areas.

SpaceX's Inspiration4 mission successfully returned to Earth after orbiting the planet for three days, marking a significant milestone as it was the first all-civilian spaceflight mission.

The United States Federal Reserve cut interest rates for the second time in 2019, amid concerns about a global economic slowdown.

The United Nations General Assembly adopted the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), a set of 17 global goals designed to be a blueprint to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all by 2030.

Scotland held a referendum on independence from the United Kingdom, resulting in a vote to remain part of the UK.

The United States House of Representatives passed a resolution recognizing the 60th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China.

Protests erupted in Myanmar as Buddhist monks began the Saffron Revolution, named after the color of their robes, marking the beginning of a series of demonstrations against the military junta.

The Royal Thai Army staged a coup d'état against the government of Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra while he was at the United Nations in New York City, leading to the establishment of a military junta.

The first of several anthrax letters was mailed from Princeton, New Jersey, targeting media outlets and government officials in the United States.

The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) was formed to oversee a number of Internet-related tasks previously performed by other organizations.

Liechtenstein becomes a member of the United Nations.

The Montreal Protocol was signed to phase out substances that deplete the ozone layer, an international treaty hailed as one of the most successful environmental agreements.

Joe Kittinger completes the first solo balloon crossing of the Atlantic Ocean.

The French National Assembly votes to abolish capital punishment.

The Bahamas, East Germany, and West Germany are admitted to the United Nations.

UN Secretary-General Dag Hammarskjöld dies in a plane crash in Northern Rhodesia.

Margaret Chase Smith was elected to the U.S. Senate, becoming the first woman to serve in both houses of the United States Congress.

The United States Air Force becomes an independent branch of the U.S. military.

The Mukden Incident occurs, leading to the Japanese invasion of Manchuria.

A typhoon with tsunami kills an estimated 10,000 people in Hong Kong.

Booker T. Washington delivers the Atlanta Compromise speech at the Cotton States and International Exposition in Atlanta, Georgia.

The Panic of 1873 begins, triggering a severe international economic depression in both Europe and the United States.

The Siege of Paris begins during the Franco-Prussian War.

The first edition of The New-York Daily Times, which later becomes The New York Times, is published.

In the Battle of Borodino, which occurred earlier, Napoleon's Grand Army encountered severe resistance from Russian forces. By September 18, 1812, as part of his Russian campaign, Napoleon entered Moscow, which was largely abandoned and on fire.

Chile declares its independence from Spain, marking the beginning of the Chilean War of Independence.

The cornerstone of the United States Capitol is laid by George Washington.

The Treaty of Belgrade is signed, ending the Austro-Russian–Turkish War (1735–1739) and establishing peace between the Ottoman Empire and the Habsburg Monarchy.

The Treaty of Crépy was signed, concluding hostilities between Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor, and Francis I of France. This agreement temporarily ended the Italian Wars between France and the Habsburg Empire.

Christopher Columbus lands at Costa Rica on his fourth and final voyage to the New World.

The Battle of Poitiers, one of the pivotal battles of the Hundred Years' War, took place on this day. The English forces, led by Edward, the Black Prince, defeated a significantly larger French army under King John II of France. This victory for the English was marked by the capture of King John II, leading to political upheaval in France and eventually the Treaty of Brétigny.

Philip Augustus becomes King of France, succeeding his father Louis VII.

Harold Godwinson, King of England, lands on the Isle of Wight with his army, preparing to defend against the impending Norman invasion.

Constantine the Great defeated Licinius in the Battle of Chrysopolis, consolidating his control over the Roman Empire.

Roman Emperor Domitian was assassinated, marking the end of the Flavian dynasty.