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What happened in history on this day: February 18?
Since 1995, I have been collecting information on a variety of topics,
creating several timelines of history.
Here you will find specific events from those databases
for this day, on the topics of personal computers, video games, the Walt Disney Company,
Chevrolet Corvettes, A&W Root Beer, Sweden, and Canadian coins.
On February 18 in ...
- 1977 - The first Computer Shack franchise is opened in Morristown, New Jersey. 112 people visit in the first day.
- 1997 - Sun Microsystems releases the Java development kit v1.1.
- 1997 - Corel begins shipping WordPerfect Suite for DOS. It includes WordPerfect 6.2, Quattro Pro 5.6, and Presentations 2.1. Price is US$495; upgrade price is US$149.
- 1933 - The Mickey Mouse film Mickey's Pal Pluto is released to theaters. Pluto and Minnie Mouse also appear.
- 1939 - Disney delivers the animated film Mickey's Surprise Party for the National Biscuit Company (Nabisco), for use at the New York World's Fair.
- 1944 - The Donald Duck film Trombone Trouble is released to theaters.
- 1953 - Disney's first People and Places documentary film, The Alaskan Eskimo, is released to theaters.
- 1955 - Disney releases the Donald Duck film Lake Titicaca to theaters. It was originally released as part of the film Saludos Amigos.
- 1956 - The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences nominates the film No Hunting for an Oscar Award in the category Short Subjects, Cartoons.
- 1956 - The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences nominates the film Switzerland for an Oscar Award in the category Short Subjects, Two Reels.
- 1956 - The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences nominates the film Men Against the Arctic for an Oscar Award in the category Documentary, Short Subjects.
- 1957 - The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences nominates the film Cow Dog for an Oscar Award in the category Short Subjects, Two Reels.
- 1957 - The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences nominates the film Samoa for an Oscar Award in the category Short Subjects, Two Reels.
- 1957 - The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences nominates the film Man in Space for an Oscar Award in the category Documentary, Short Subjects.
- 1962 - The NBC TV network airs the Walt Disney's Wonderful World of Color show, featuring Comanche, part one. This is half of the film Tonka.
- 1975 - Walt Disney Productions announces a US$8 million 15-month America on Parade project in celebration of the country's 200th anniversary.
- 1985 - The NBC TV network airs the three-hour special Disneyland's 30th Anniversary Celebration.
- 1994 - Antigua & Barbuda issues ten postage stamps depicting Disney characters in Hong Kong.
- 1995 - Disney releases the film The Lion King on videocassette in the US, for US$26.99.
- 1995 - The ABC TV network airs the two-hour TV movie The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes. The show is a re-make of the 1969 film of the same name.
- 2001 - Disney releases the animated film Lady and the Tramp II - Scamp's Adventure on videocassette and DVD.
- 2001 - The Fox Broadcasting Company airs The Simpsons TV show in the US. A televised game show called "Me Wantee!" is a parody of the Disney-ABC TV show Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?.
- 1956 - In Daytona, Florida, the Daytona Speed Weeks races are held. A 1956 Corvette is the official pace car. Chevrolet enters five Corvettes: modified 1953, modified 1955, 1956 with 307-ci engine and four-speed transmission, and two stock 1956 models. Drivers are Betty Skelton, John Fitch, and Zora Arkus-Duntov.
- In the Flying Mile, John Fitch is 1st in production class with a two-way average speed of 145.543 mph, a new record.
- Betty Skelton is 2nd at 137.773 mph.
- Zora is 1st in Modified class and overall at 147.3 mph. His downwind speed is 156 mph, second best to a Grand Prix Ferrari F1 by 1 mph.
- In the Standing Mile, production class, Ford Thunderbirds win 1st and 2nd; John Fitch in a Corvette is 3rd at 86.782 mph.
- Zora is 1st in Modified class and overall at 89.753 mph.
- 1961 - The Sting Ray show car is put on display at the Chicago Auto Show, at McCormick Place. It was transformed to its current form from the original Sting Ray racer of 1959.
- 2007 - At the Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida, the Daytona 500 race is held. A 2007 Corvette Z06 is official pace car, driven by Cal Ripken, Junior.
- 1940 - Adolf Hitler issues Directive No. 10. For the attack on the West, the forces will be divided by the line Liège to Charleroi across Belgium and Luxembourg. Forces north of this line will break through Belgian defences, counter any threats to the Ruhr, and take on the strongest Anglo-French forces. Forces south of the line will cross the Meuse river between Dinant and Sedan, and advance towards the Somme estuary.
- 1942 - The British Pacific War Council in London recommends that no more reinforcements be sent to the Netherlands East Indies, but that the existing garrison stay and fight the Japanese.
- 1942 - The Australian War Cabinet approves the production of 100 improved Wirraway aircraft.
- 1944 - The US naval task force completes the neutralization of the Japanese base at Truk.
- 1944 - Soviet forces take control of Nikopol, with its manganese mines.
- 1946 - Australia issues three postage stamps celebrating peace at the end of World War II.
- 1953 - Hungary issues two postage stamps marking the 10th anniversary of the Battle of Stalingrad.
- 1999 - The United States issues a 33-cent postage stamp depicting World War II, as part of its series on memories of the 1940s.
- 1753 - Eleven days (February 18 to March 1) are removed from the calendar, to bring Sweden in line with the rest of Europe. The Julian lunar calendar is replaced with the Gregorian calendar based on the solar year.
- 1960 - (to February 28) The 8th Olympic Winter Games are held in Squaw Valley, California, USA. Sweden wins 3 gold, 2 silver, and 2 bronze medals.
- 1982 - A proclamation changes the weight of the $20 gold bullion coin to 240.51 grains, with fineness 0.9999, and adds $5 and $10 gold bullion coins, of weights 48.32 and 120.34 grains, respectively. The inscriptions on the coins are 1/2 ounce ($20), 1/4 ounce ($10), and 1/10 ounce ($5).
- 1985 - The Royal Canadian Mint unveils 1985 $1 silver and $100 gold coins commemorating the 100th anniversary of the National Parks system. The $1 coin features a design by Karel Rohlicek of a moose in a ountain lake. Issue price is $17.50 for the Proof coin. The $100 coin features a design by Hector Greville of a big horn sheep. Issue price is $325.
- 1993 - The Royal Canadian Mint releases the 1993 $100 gold coin at the Toronto Auto Show. The coin features early international automobiles.
- 2003 - In Indian Head, Saskatchewan, the Royal Canadian Mint unveils the 2003 $100 14-karat gold coin, marking the 100th anniversary of the discovery of Marquis wheat. Mintage is limited to 10,000 coins. The Proof coin is priced at $289.95 in a case.
- 1853 - Birth of August Belmont Jr breeder (Man 'O War)/founder (New York Jockey Club).
- 1895 - Birth of George "The Gipper" Gipp Notre Dame football star.
- 1899 - Stanley Cup: Montréal Shamrocks sweep Queens University (Kingston Ontario) in two games.
- 1900 - Ajax soccer team forms in Amsterdam.
- 1909 - Birth of Matti Jarvinen Finland, javelin thrower (Olympics-gold-1932).
- 1909 - Boston Red Sox trade Cy Young, at 41, to Cleveland Naps.
- 1911 - Bill Murdoch cricketer, dies while watching Australia vs South Africa Test.
- 1919 - Cy Denneny of NHL Ottawa Senators scores record 52nd goals.
- 1922 - Kenesaw Mountain Landis resigns his judgeship to work for baseball.
- 1924 - US female Figure Skating championship won by Theresa Weld Blanchard.
- 1924 - US male Figure Skating championship won by Sherwin Badger.
- 1926 - Birth of Len Ford NFL end (Cleveland Browns, Green Bay Packers).
- 1927 - Birth of Fazal Mahmood cricketer (Pakistani medium-pace workhorse 1952-62).
- 1928 - Birth of Jim McElreath auto racer (1970 Ontario 500).
- 1932 - Sonja Henie wins her 6th straight World Women's figure skating title.
- 1933 - Birth of Bobby Robson British soccer coach (PSV).
- 1933 - James Corbett (Gentleman Jim), heavyweight boxing champion (1892-97), dies.
- 1936 - NHL record 32 points scored, New York Americans (28) and Montréal Maroons (24).
- 1937 - Birth of Jeff Farrell US swimmer (Olympics-2 gold-1960).
- 1938 - Birth of Barry Knight cricketer (England all-rounder mid-60s).
- 1938 - Birth of Manny Mota baseball outfielder (Los Angeles Dodgers).
- 1943 - William D Cox buys Philadelphia Phillies.
- 1944 - Cincinnati Reds sign youngest baseball player, 15 year old Joe Nuxhall.
- 1945 - Birth of Judy Rankin Saint Louis Missouri, LPGA golfer (Vare Trophy 1976-77).
- 1947 - Birth of Carlos A Lopes Portugal, marathon runner (Olympics-gold-1984).
- 1948 - Birth of Bruce Francis cricketer (Australian opener in three Tests 1972).
- 1951 - Three City College of New York basketball players admit to accepting bribes.
- 1957 - Birth of Marita Koch German DR, 400 metre sprinter (Olympics-gold-1980).
- 1958 - Birth of Peter Koech Kiliburani Kenya, 3K steeplechaser (Olympics-silver-1988).
- 1960 - (to February 28) The 8th Olympic Winter Games are held in Squaw Valley, California, USA.
- 1960 - Birth of Andy Moog NHL Goalie (Edmonton Oilers, Boston Bruins, Olympics-Canada-1988).
- 1960 - Birth of Roger Wijesuriya cricketer (bowling average 294 in four Tests for Sri Lanka).
- 1961 - Birth of Alycia Moulton Sacramento California, tennis star.
- 1961 - Henk van der Grift becomes world champion skater.
- 1962 - Birth of Gary Reasons NFL linebacker (New York Giants).
- 1962 - Birth of Simon Fletcher NFL linebacker (Denver Broncos).
- 1962 - Louise Suggs wins LPGA Saint Petersburg Golf Open.
- 1963 - Birth of John Gesek NFL center (Washington Redskins).
- 1963 - Birth of Rob Andrew English rugby player.
- 1964 - Birth of Kevin Tapani Des Moines Iowa, pitcher (Chicago White Sox, Minnesota Twin).
- 1965 - Frank Gifford announces his retirement from football for broadcasting.
- 1966 - Birth of Kris King Bracebridge, NHL left wing (Winnipeg Jets).
- 1966 - Birth of Phillip De Freitas cricket pace bowler (in Dominica England 1986-95).
- 1967 - Birth of Colin Jackson Cardiff England, 100 metre hurdler (Olympics-silver-1988).
- 1967 - Birth of John Valentin Mineola New York, infielder (Boston Red Sox).
- 1967 - Birth of Matt Turner US baseball pitcher (Florida Marlins).
- 1967 - Bob Seagren sets pole vault record at 17'3".
- 1967 - Softball pitcher Eddie Feigner strikes out 6 straight major league players.
- 1968 - 10th Winter Olympics games close at Grenoble, France.
- 1969 - Birth of Alexander Mogilny Khavarovsk USSR, first soviet hockey star to defect to NHL (Sabres).
- 1969 - Birth of Igor Larionov Voskresensk Russia, NHL forward (Team Russia, Detroit).
- 1969 - Doug Walters scores second innings century after 242 in first.
- 1970 - Birth of Tyler Green US baseball pitcher (Philadelphia Phillies).
- 1971 - Birth of George Teague NFL safety (Miami Dolphins, Green Bay Packers).
- 1971 - Birth of Reggie Holt WLAF safety (London Monarchs).
- 1972 - Birth of Lubomir Rybovic Kosice Czechoslovakia, hockey forward (Team Slovakia).
- 1972 - Birth of Marc Lillibridge WLAF linebacker (Amsterdam Admirals).
- 1973 - Belgian Emile Puttemans runs 3000 metre indoor record 7 39.2.
- 1973 - Sandra Palmer wins LPGA Pompano Beach Golf Classic.
- 1974 - Birth of Yevgeny Kafelnikov Russia, tennis star.
- 1975 - Birth of Scott Tucker Birmingham Alabama, 400 metre/800 metre freestyle relay (Olympics-1996).
- 1975 - Syed Nazir Ali cricketer (two Tests for India, four wickets), dies.
- 1976 - Birth of Chanda Rubin Lafayette Louisiana, tennis star (1996 Australian Open doubles).
- 1976 - Birth of Jason Podollan Vernon, NHL center (Florida Panthers).
- 1976 - Birth of Volker Schenk WLAF running back (Frankfurt Galaxy).
- 1977 - Test Cricket debuts of Colin Croft and Joel Garner vs Pakistan Bridgetown.
- 1978 - First Iron Man Triathlon (swim, bike ride, marathon) held, Kona HI.
- 1979 - Amy Alcott wins LPGA Elizabeth Arden Golf Classic.
- 1979 - Birth of Julia Greville Perth Australia, swimmer (Olympics-1996).
- 1983 - NBA Indiana Pacers begin a 28 game road losing streak.
- 1986 - San Antonio Spurs' Alvin Robertson scores NBA second quadruple double-20 points, 11 rebounds, 10 assists and 10 steals against Phoenix Suns.
- 1989 - Sherri Turner wins LPGA Orix Hawaiian Ladies Golf Open/Itoki Pro-Am.
- 1990 - Jane Crafter wins LPGA Phar-Mor at Inverrary Golf Tournament.
- 1991 - Edmonton Oilers' goalie Grant Fuhr returns to NHL after season-long suspension for substance abuse and shuts out New Jersey Devils 4-0.
- 1993 - Death of Kerry Von Erich, American professional wrestler (suicide) (born 1960).
- 1994 - Dan Jansen skates world record 1000 metre (1:12.43).
- 1994 - Shreveport Pirates join Canadian Football League as 4th US team.
- 1995 - Angela Kennedy swims world record 100 metre butterfly.
- 1995 - Barb Thomas Whitehead wins Cup o' Noodles Hawaiian Ladies Golf Open.
- 1995 - Warnecke swims world record 50 metre freestyle.
- 1996 - Tendulkar scores 127 in India's Cricket World Cup win over Kenya.
- 1998 - Death of Harry Caray, American television and radio broadcaster (Chicago Cubs), at age 77 (born 1917).
- 1998 - New York Rangers fire head coach Colin Campbell.
- 2001 - NASCAR driver Dale Earnhardt is killed instantly in a crash on the last lap of the Daytona 500 while his DEI cars driven by his son, Dale Earnhardt Jr., and Michael Waltrip, finish second and first, respectively.
- 2001 - Death of Eddie Mathews, baseball player (born 1931).
- 2007 - Death of Juan "Pachín" Vicéns, Puerto Rican basketball player (born 1933).
- 1930 - US astronomer Clyde Tombaugh discovers Pluto.
- 1974 - NASA launches Italian satellite San Marcos C-2 (235/843 km).
- 1977 - Space Shuttle above a Boeing 747 goes on its maiden flight.
- 1979 - NASA launches space vehicle S-202.
- 2008 - Space shuttle Atlantis departs from the International Space Station, after delivering a European laboratory.
- 1828 - More than 100 vessels destroyed in a storm, Gibraltar.
- 1965 - 27 copper miners die in avalanche, Granduc Mountain British Columbia.
Other history:
- 1980 - Pierre Elliott Trudeau's Liberal Party wins Canada's elections.
You can pick a particular day to view that day's events in history.
Bookmark this URL: http://www.islandnet.com/~kpolsson/today/ and revisit each day.
(this URL will automatically re-direct to the file containing the current day's events)
Or, visit my Timelines of History page.
Other web pages of interest:
Chronology of World History
What's Notable About this Year?
Ken P's Coin/Stamp/Bill Novelties
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