1817 – Jane Austen the English novelist died on the 18th day of July in 1817 (b. 1775)

1862 – The 1st ascent of Dent Blanche in the Alps, was made by T. S. Kennedy on the 18th day of July in 1862.

1903 ~ Victor Gruen the Austrian architect was born Viktor David Grünbaum on the 18th day of July in 1903 (died in 1980 aged 86). Victor Gruen was best known as a pioneer in the design of shopping malls in the United States. He is also known for his urban revitalisation proposals. Victor Gruen’s name and work inspired the title of a television program in Australia hosted by Wil Anderson, called The Gruen Transfer, which discusses the methods, science and psychology behind advertising. The very popular show on ABC1 was named after Victor Gruen who designed the very first shopping mall, from which the term “Gruen transfer” came from, which describes the moment when a consumer enters a shopping mall, surrounded by an intentionally confusing layout, and then loses track of their original intentions. Visit The Gruen Transfer now known as Gruen planet website.

1918 ~ NELSON MANDELA the South African Nobel Peace Prize laureate and President of South Africa 1994-1999, was born on the 18th July 1918 (died 5th December 2013 aged 95). Nelson Mandela was the 1st black South African to hold the office, and the 1st elected in a fully representative, multiracial election. The Presidency of Nelson Mandela focused on dismantling the legacy of apartheid through tackling institutionalised racism, poverty and inequality, and fostering racial reconciliation. Nelson Mandela International Day was officially declared by the United Nations in November 2009.

1925 – Shirley Strickland the Australian athlete was born on the 18th day of July 1925 (d. 2004) Shirley Strickland won more Olympic medals than any other Australian in running sports.

1925 – Adolf Hitler published his personal manifesto Mein Kampf on the 18th day of July 1925.

1929 – Screamin’ Jay Hawkins the American singer was born on the 18th day of July 1929 (d. 2000)

1941 – Martha Reeves the American singer was born on the 18th day of July 1941.

1949 – Dennis Lillee the Australian cricketer was born on the 18th day of July 1949.

1950 – Sir Richard Branson the British entrepreneur was born on the 18th day of July 1950.

1950 – Glenn Hughes the American singer  from the Village People was born on the 18th day of July 1950 (d. 2001).

1962 – Shaun Micallef the Australian comedian was born on the 18th day of July 1962.

1967 – Vin Diesel the American actor was born on the 18th day of July 1967.

1968 – Intel was founded in Santa Clara, California on the 18th day of July 1968.

1968 – Grant Bowler the Australian actor was born on the 18th day of July 1968.

1969 ~ Elizabeth M. Gilbert the American author was born in  Waterbury, Connecticut on the 18th July 1969. Elizabeth M. Gilbert  is best known for her 2006 memoir book, Eat, Pray, Love, which spent 199 weeks on the New York Times Best Seller list, and was also made into a movie in 2010. Official website: ElizabethGilbert.com |

1971 – Sarah McLeod the New Zealand actress was born on the 18th day of July 1971.

1976 – Nadia Comăneci became the 1st person in Olympic Games history to score a perfect 10 in gymnastics, on the 18th day of July, at the 1976 Summer Olympics.

2009 ~ Nelson Mandela International Day was officially declared by the United Nations in November 200. This day is an annual international day in honour of Nelson Mandela, who was born on the 18th day of July 1918.

Today in History for July 18th ~ video presented by the Associated Press…