Human Saga

On July 18

No pivotal events are recorded on exactly July 18 in the Human Saga — here is the surrounding week in history.

This week in history (Jul 15 – Jul 21)

19 July 1870 – 10 May 1871; German Empire proclaimed 18 January 1871The Franco-Prussian War, German unification and the Paris CommuneMilitary & conflict

The Franco-Prussian War (July 1870 – May 1871) completed the unification of Germany and reshaped the European order.

20 July 1969 (mission 16–24 July 1969)Apollo 11 Moon landingScience, technology & invention

On 20 July 1969 the American Apollo 11 mission achieved the first crewed landing on the Moon.

In 1054 the long-building rift between the Latin (Roman) and Greek (Byzantine) churches hardened into formal schism.

On 19 and 20 July 1848 some three hundred people gathered at the Wesleyan Chapel in Seneca Falls, New York, for the first women's rights convention in the United States.

17 July 1936 – 1 April 1939Spanish Civil WarMilitary & conflict

On 17 July 1936 a coalition of conservative, monarchist, and far-right army officers launched a coup against Spain's elected Second Republic, beginning in Spanish Morocco and spreading to mainland garrisons the next day.

On 16 July 1995 Amazon.com opened to the public as an online bookstore, founded a year earlier by Jeff Bezos, who had left a Wall Street firm to capitalise on the rapid growth of internet use.

Get today's card / Share →