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

1048 – Omar Khayyám the Persian mathematician, poet, and philosopher was born on the 18th day of May in 1048 (d. 1131)

1756 – The Seven Years’ War begun when Great Britain declared war on France on the 18th day of May in 1756.

1808 – Elijah Craig the American minister, inventor, and educator, invented Bourbon whiskey died was born on the 18th day of May in 1808.

1883 – Walter Gropius the German architect who founded the Bauhaus school was born on the 18th day of May in 1883 (d. 1969).

1910 – The Earth passed through the tail of Comet Halley on the 18th day of May in 1910.

1912 – Perry Como the American singer and actor was born on the 18th day of May in 1912 (d. 2001).

1920 – Pope John Paul II was born on the 18th day of May in 1920 (d. 2005).

1931 – Don Martin the American cartoonist was born on the 18th day of May in 1931 (d. 2000).

1941 – Lobby Loyde the Australian guitarist, songwriter, and producer was born on the 18th day of May in 1941 (d. 2007).

1944 – Albert Hammond the English singer-songwriter, musician, and producer was born on the 18th day of May in 1944.

1949 – Rick Wakeman the English musician, songwriter, and composer was born on the 18th day of May in 1949.

1950 – Mark Mothersbaugh the American singer, musician, and composer from Devo was born on the 18th day of May in 1950.

1953 – Jackie Cochran became the first woman to break the sound barrier on the 18th day of May in 1953.

1977 ~ International Museum Day began on the 18th day of May in 1977.

1980 – Ian Curtis the English singer-songwriter from Joy Division ended his life was born on the 18th day of May in 1980 (b. 1956).

1969 – Martika the Cuban-American singer-songwriter, producer, and actress was born on the 18th day of May in 1969.

1975 – Jack Johnson the American singer-songwriter and musician was born on the 18th day of May in 1975.

1980 – Mount St. Helens erupted in Washington, United States, killing 57 people and causing $3 billion in damage on the 18th day of May in 1980.

1995 – Elizabeth Montgomery the American actress died on the 18th day of May in 1995 (b. 1933).

1993 – Jessica Watson the Australian sailor was born on the 18th day of May in 1993.

1998 ~ World AIDS Vaccine Day began on the 18th day of May in 1998.

2005 – A second photo from the Hubble Space Telescope confirmed that Pluto had 2 additional moons named Nix and Hydra on the 18th day of May in 2005.