APRiL 18 ~ ON THiS DAY in History

1912 ~ Cunard Liner RMS Carpathia took the 705 survivors from the RMS Titanic to New York City on the 18th April 1912.

RMS Carpathia steamship that rescued the survivors of the Titanic in 1912
The RMS Carpathia steamship that rescued the survivors of the Titanic in 1912 (photo from maritimequest.com)

YouTube video: audio of the survivors of the Titanic, as they recall their experiences of the sinking, accompanied by original photos of the Titanic…

1924 SiMON & SCHUSTER published the 1st crossword puzzle book on the 18th April 1924. Below is an example of British style grid crossword puzzle by Wikipedian Michael J K

British style grid crossword puzzle by Wikipedian Michael J K
British style grid crossword puzzle by Wikipedian Michael J K

1930 ~ BBC RADiO announced that there was no news on the 18th April 1930. It happened on the 6:30pm radio news bulletin, when a BBC presenter announced “Good evening. Today is Good Friday. There is no news,” because it had been judged that nothing newsworthy happened on this day. Piano music was then played instead of the news for a couple of minutes, before returning to the regular schedule.

1944Steve Gray the British pianist, composer, and arranger was born on the 18th April 1944 (died 20th September 2008). During the 1970s Steve Gray played sessions for Quincy JonesHenry ManciniPeggy LeeSammy Davis JrJohn Barry and others. Steve Gray joined John Williams’ band Sky in 1981, replacing Francis Monkman on keyboards.

1946SKiP SPENCE the Canadian guitarist, singer and songwriter from JEFFERSON AiRPLANE was born on the 18th April 1946. Skip died from lung cancer at the age of 52 on the 16th of April in 1999, only 2 days before his 53rd birthday. The video below featuring “White Rabbit” from the 1967 album Surrealistic Pillow peaked at #8 on the Billboard Hot 100, and ranked #478 on Rolling Stone’s list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time… 

1955 ~ ALBERT EiNSTEiN the German physicist died on this 18th day of April in 1955 aged 76. Albert Einstein developed the theory of general relativity, effecting a revolution in physics. For this achievement, Einstein is often regarded as the father of modern physics. While best known for his mass–energy equivalence formula E = mc2 , which has been dubbed “the world’s most famous equation”.

World Telegram news 18th April 1955 front page headline Dr Einstein is dead at 76
World Telegram news 18th April 1955 front page headline Dr Einstein is dead at 76
Albert Einstein lecture Vienna 1921 theoretical physicist theory relativity physics quantum mechanics formula E=mc2 photo photoelectric effect chalk black board
Albert Einstein during a lecture in Vienna in 1921 (photo by Ferdinand Schmutzer)
The Wasington Daily News 18th April 1955 front page headline ~ Dr Einstein is dead
The Wasington Daily News 18th April 1955 front page headline ~ Dr Einstein is dead

1953 ~ RiCK MORANiS the Canadian comedian, actor, and musician, best known for his  roles in Ghostbusters, Spaceballs, Little Shop of Horrors, Honey I Shrunk the Kids, The Flintstones and other movies, was born on the 18th April 1953. The video below features Rick Moranis as Barney RubbleJohn Goodman as Fred FlintstoneElizabeth Perkins as Wilma Flintstone, and Rosie O’Donnell as Betty Rubble, Halle Berry as his seductive secretary, Elizabeth Taylor as Wilma’s mother in her final big screen appearance, and The B-52’s performing an alternative version of the theme song, on the movie released in 1994…

1961KELLY HANSEN the current frontman of FOREiGNER was born on the 18th April 1961. Kelly became the 3rd lead singer of Foreigner in 2005.

1963CONAN O’BRiEN the American comedian, writer, producer and host of the Conan late night talk show was born on the 18th April 1963.

1975 ~ GoonRock the American producer, songwriter and musician was born David Jamahl Listenbee on the 18th April 1975. 

1976 ~ MELiSSA JOAN HART the American actress best known for her main roles in Clarissa Explains It All (1991 ~ 1994) and Sabrina, the Teenage Witch (1996 ~ 2003) was born on this 18th day of April in 1976.

1987 ~ SAMANTHA JADE the 2012 Australian X FACTOR winner was born on the 18th April 1987. 

Samantha Jade what you've done to me song single album won 2012 Australian X Factor winner cute girl sexy black dress
Samantha Jade winner of the Australian 2012 Australian X Factor “What you’ve done to me” single out now

2012 ~ DiCK CLARK the American television and radio personality, known for his departing catchphrase “For now, Dick Clark…so long,” died on the 18th April 2012 aged 82. Dick hosted American BandstandPyramid, and Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve television shows.