February 18: What Happened on This Day in History
February 18th marks the 49th day of the Gregorian calendar year. There are 316 days (317 in case of leap years) remaining until the end of the year.
Discover what happened on February 18th in history, famous birthdays on February 18th, celebrities died on this day, the day of the week and the zodiac sign associated to February 18.
What happened on February 18?
Here's what happened on February 18th in history:
- 2021: NASA's Perseverance rover successfully landed in the Jezero Crater on Mars as part of the Mars 2020 mission. This sophisticated robotic explorer is designed to search for signs of ancient microbial life, collect rock and soil samples for potential future return to Earth, and pave the way for human exploration of the Red Planet.
- 2014: A valuable US$1 Million vase by Chinese dissident artist Ai Weiwei was deliberately destroyed by a vandal in Miami, reportedly as a protest against the lack of local art exhibitions.
- 2011: Protests in Jordan resulted in at least 8 people being injured during an attack on a pro-democracy rally in Amman.
- 2004: A catastrophic train accident near Neyshabur, Iran resulted in a massive explosion when a freight train carrying sulfur, petrol, and fertilizer caught fire. The incident claimed the lives of up to 295 people, including nearly 200 rescue workers, making it one of the deadliest train accidents in Iranian history.
- 1999: Noam Pitlik, a notable American actor and television director who made significant contributions to the entertainment industry, passed away. Known for his work in television directing and acting, Pitlik was a respected figure in the mid-20th century entertainment landscape.
- 1995: Professional golfer Barb Thomas Whitehead secured victory at the Cup o' Noodles Hawaiian Ladies Golf Open, demonstrating her skill and competitive prowess in women's professional golf.
- 1994: Acclaimed character actor Joe Pantoliano, known for his versatile roles in film and television, married model Nancy Sheppard in a private ceremony. Pantoliano, then 41 years old, was at the height of his acting career.
- 1988: Maiara Walsh, a Brazilian actress known for her roles in television and film, was born on this date.
- 1985: A professional wrestling event produced by the World Wrestling Federation (WWF) took place at Madison Square Garden in New York City. The main event featured Hulk Hogan defending the WWF World Heavyweight Championship against 'Rowdy' Roddy Piper. In an intense match, Hogan successfully retained his title after Piper was disqualified, maintaining his championship status.
- 1981: Buddy Nielsen, lead singer of the alternative rock band Senses Fail, is born.
What famous birthdays are on February 18?
On February 18th there are the following famous birthdays:
![John Hughes]()
John Hughes (1950)Legendary American film director who defined 1980s teen cinema with iconic movies like 'The Breakfast Club', 'Ferris Bueller's Day Off', and...
![John Travolta]()
John Travolta (1954)Iconic American actor who rose to international fame in the 1970s with breakthrough roles in 'Saturday Night Fever' and 'Grease'.
![Toni Morrison]()
Toni Morrison (1931)Renowned African American novelist who won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1993 and the Pulitzer Prize for her groundbreaking novel...
![Molly Ringwald]()
Molly Ringwald (1968)Acclaimed American actress and singer who rose to fame in the 1980s as a teen icon.
![George Kennedy]()
George Kennedy (1925)George Kennedy was a renowned American actor famous for his versatile character roles in classic films like Cool Hand Luke and The Naked Gun...
![Cybill Shepherd]()
Cybill Shepherd (1950)Renowned American actress and model who rose to fame after being discovered by Peter Bogdanovich.
![Cressida Bonas]()
Cressida Bonas (1989)Cressida Bonas is a British actress and model, known for her roles in film and television, and for her previous relationship with Prince...
![Jack Palance]()
Jack Palance (1919)Jack Palance was a renowned American actor famous for his intense performances in Western films and his Oscar-winning role in 'City...
![Matt Dillon]()
Matt Dillon (1964)Prominent American actor who rose to fame as a teenage film star in the late 1970s and early 1980s.
![Sinéad Cusack]()
Sinéad Cusack (1948)Renowned Irish-English actress known for her distinguished stage and screen performances in theater and film.
How to check someone's birthday?
If you’re looking for a person's birth date, have a look at our Birthday Search Guide
Who died on February 18?
On February 18th the following celebrities died:
![Andy Devine]()
Andy Devine (1977)Prominent American character actor known for his distinctive raspy voice, who appeared in numerous Western films and television shows during...
![Gale Robbins]()
![Maggie McNamara]()
- Robert Oppenheimer (1967)
Renowned American physicist who led the Manhattan Project's atomic bomb development during World War II.
- Dale Earnhardt (2001)
Legendary NASCAR driver known as 'The Intimidator', Dale Earnhardt was a seven-time Winston Cup Series champion who revolutionized stock car...
- Norma McCorvey (2017)
Pivotal plaintiff in the landmark Roe v. Wade Supreme Court case that legalized abortion in the United States, a significant figure in...
- Gunter Blobel (2018)
Renowned cell biologist who won the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1999 for his groundbreaking research on protein targeting and...
- Idrissa Ouedraogo (2018)
Renowned Burkinabe film director who was a key figure in African cinema, known for his powerful storytelling and cultural representation...
- Balthus (2001)
Renowned Polish-French painter known for his controversial and provocative artworks, with a unique style that challenged traditional...
- Alain Robbe-Grillet (2008)
French novelist, filmmaker, and literary theorist who pioneered the Nouveau Roman movement, challenging traditional narrative structures and...
What day of the year is February 18?
February 18th marks the 49th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar.
There are 316 days remaining until the end of the year (or 317 days in case of leap years).
February 18th is the 18th day of the month of February.
What zodiac sign is associated with the day February 18?
The zodiac sign associated with February 18th is Aquarius according to the Western Zodiac.
