0320 – Pappus of Alexandria the Greek philosopher observed an eclipse of the sun on the 18th October in the year 320, and wrote a commentary on The Great Astronomer, also known as Almagest.
1356 – The Basel earthquake destroyed the town of Basel, Switzerland on the 18th October 1356. It was the most significant historic seismological event north of the Alps.
1386 – The University of Heidelberg opened on the 18th October 1386.
1867 – The United States purchased Alaska from Russia for $7.2 million on the 18th October 1867. Alaska Day is celebrated annually on this date.
1914 – The Schoenstatt Movement was founded in Germany on the 18th October 1914.
1922 – The British Broadcasting Company was founded on the 18th October 1922, to establish a nationwide network of radio transmitters to provide a national broadcasting service.
1926 ~ Chuck Berry the American singer, songwriter and guitarist was born Charles Edward Anderson Berry in St.Louis, Missouri, on the 18th October 1926 (died 18th March 2017 aged 90). Video : Chuck Berry performing “Sweet Little Sixteen” on The Dick Clark Saturday Night Beechnut Show (February 1958)…
1954 – Texas Instruments announced the 1st Transistor radio on the 18th October 1954.
Today in History for October 18th ~ video presented by the Associated Press…