October 18
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1931
News breaks of Al Capone’s guilt
On this day, news broke that notorious Chicago crime boss Al Capone had been found guilty—not of murder, bootlegging, or racketeering, but of tax evasion. Despite running a criminal empire reportedly worth more than $100 million annually, Capone had managed to conceal much of his wealth. Federal investigators finally caught up with him, and he was sentenced to 11 years in prison, including time at Alcatraz.
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National Archives, Washington, D.C. (NAID: 628966); Photo Illustration Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.
Featured Event
Alaska State Library, Alaska Purchase Centennial Commission Photograph Collection (Image Number: ASL P20-181)
After much opposition, a deal negotiated by U.S. Secretary of State William Seward for the U.S. purchase of the Russian colony of Alaska was approved, and on this day in 1867 the U.S. flag was flown over the capital, Sitka.
Featured Biography
Featured Biography
Nationaal Archief
Canada is an immense and an exciting country, but it is not an easy country to know. The great differences of geography, history and economics within our country have produced a rich diversity of temperament, viewpoint and culture.
Pierre Elliott Trudeau, born this day in 1919, was the prime minister of Canada (1968–79; 1980–84) who defeated Quebec separatism, adopted bilingualism for Canada, and advocated on behalf of underdeveloped nations.
Famous Birthdays
More on October 18
NASA
2019
NASA astronauts Christina Koch and Jessica Meir made history by conducting the first all-woman spacewalk, working outside the International Space Station to replace a faulty power component.
Reuters/Alamy
2007
After eight years of self-imposed exile, Benazir Bhutto—who, as two-time prime minister (1988–90 and 1993–96) of Pakistan, was the first woman leader of a Muslim nation in modern history—returned to her home country, and hours later she was nearly killed when her motorcade was bombed in Karachi; she was assassinated in December. [Test your knowledge of female leaders.]
Courtesy, American Broadcasting Company
1988
The American sitcom Roseanne, starring Roseanne Barr, premiered on ABC and became hugely popular, noted for deriving humor from the everyday struggles of middle-class families and for tackling controversial issues.
© Smith Archive/Alamy
1963
Félicette, a black-and-white French cat, became the first feline to travel into space, surviving a suborbital flight. She is still the only cat known to have successfully completed a space mission. [Learn more about the first cat in space.]
Copyright 1961 Mirisch Pictures Inc. All Rights Reserved
1961
The acclaimed musical film West Side Story, an adaptation of a Broadway play, was released in American theaters; it won 10 Academy Awards, including that for best picture. [Sort fact from fiction in our film quiz.]
© Keystone—Hulton Archive/Getty Images
1956
Tennis player Martina Navratilova—who dominated the sport in the late 20th century, winning 18 Grand Slam singles titles—was born in Prague. [How much do you know about tennis?]
Everett Collection/age fotostock
1939
Lee Harvey Oswald, the accused assassin of U.S. President John F. Kennedy, was born in New Orleans. [Read about nine infamous assassins and the world leaders they dispatched.]
Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.
1931
American inventor Thomas Edison, who was especially known for his critical role in introducing the modern age of electricity, died in West Orange, New Jersey. [Watch a silent short film featuring Thomas Edison.]
© Dezo Hoffmann—REX/Shutterstock.com
1926
American singer, songwriter, and guitarist Chuck Berry—who was one of the most popular and influential performers in rhythm-and-blues and rock-and-roll music in the 1950s, ’60s, and ’70s—was born. [Sort fact from fiction in our music quiz.]
© IR_Stone—iStock Editorial/Getty Images
1922
The British Broadcasting Company, Ltd., was established, to be replaced by the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) in 1927. [Sort fact from fiction in our quiz about English culture and custom.]
Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.
1898
Puerto Rico was turned over to the United States following the Spanish-American War. [Test your knowledge of islands.]
Image: Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.
1854
The Ostend Manifesto was declared, by which three U.S. diplomats communicating to Secretary of State William L. Marcy advocated U.S. seizure of Cuba from Spain. [Take our quiz about the U.S. and Cuba.]
Saddleback Educational Publishing
1851
American author Herman Melville’s classic novel Moby Dick was first published (as The Whale), in London. [Test your knowledge of famous novels.]
Photos.com/Jupiterimages
1685
French king Louis XIV revoked the Edict of Nantes, which had granted limited religious freedoms to French Protestants (Huguenots), leading to widespread persecution and prompting thousands to flee France.
Archivo Mas, Barcelona
1469
Isabella I, queen of Castile, married Ferdinand II, king of Aragon. [Take our quiz about kings and queens.]