On This Day
Discover events that happened On This Day including famous birthdays and notable deaths. Each day we highlight famous people, past and present, who have impacted our world. Browse sections by selecting the links below or click the calendar to view events on another day.
June 18
Events on This Day
-
1815
198 years agoNapoleon is defeated at Waterloo by British and Prussian forces. He abdicates his governmental powers days later.
-
1940
73 years agoBritish Prime Minister Winston Churchill delivers his now famous "finest hour" speech, rallying his countrymen during the threat of invasion.
-
1967
46 years agoConsidered the precursor to Woodstock, the Monterey Pop Festival has its closing day with musical acts including Janis Joplin, Jimi Hendrix and Ravi Shankar.
-
1983
30 years agoSally Ride, a mission specialist on the space shuttle Challenger, becomes the first American woman in space.
June 18
Born on This Day
-
Paul McCartney
- In these groups:
- The Beatles
- Apple Icons
- Heather Mills and Paul McCartney
Paul McCartney
Animal Rights Activist, Songwriter, Singer / 1942 -
British vocalist, songwriter, musician, and composer, Paul McCartney was a member of the Beatles as well as one of the most popular solo performers of all time.
Born: June 18, 1942
Age: 70 years old
Birthplace: Liverpool, United Kingdom
Occupation: Animal Rights Activist, Songwriter, ... -
Roger Ebert
- In these groups:
- Famous Geminis
- Famous Talk Show Hosts
- Famous Film Critics
Roger Ebert
Film Critic, Talk Show Host, Journalist / 1942 - 2013
Roger Ebert is an American film critic best known as one half of the popular Siskel and Ebert film critic television show.
1942 | 70 years old
Film Critic, Talk Show Host, Journalist -
Anastasia
- In these groups:
- Oscar-Winning Portrayals
- Famous Geminis
- Famous Duchesses
Anastasia
Duchess / 1901 - 1918
Anastasia was the daughter of the last Russian tsar, Nicholas II. After she and her family were executed, rumors claimed that she might have survived.
1901 | 17 years old
Duchess -
Isabella Rossellini
- In these groups:
- Famous Geminis
- Famous Actresses
- Famous Film Actresses
Isabella Rossellini
Film Actress, Model / 1952 -
The daughter of Swedish actress Ingrid Bergman and Italian director Roberto Rossellini, Isabella Rossellini is an Italian-born actress known for such films as Blue Velvet, Cousins, and Immortal Beloved.
Born: June 18, 1952
Age: 60 years old
Birthplace: Rome, Italy
Occupation: Film Actress, Model -
Sammy Cahn
- In these groups:
- Best Song Oscar Winners
- Famous Geminis
- Famous Pianists
Sammy Cahn
Songwriter, Pianist / 1913 - 1993
Sammy Cahn was a U.S. lyricist who composed songs for romantic films and Broadway musicals, including the hit “Three Coins in the Fountain” (1954, Oscar).
1913 | 79 years old
Songwriter, Pianist -
Thabo Mbeki
- In these groups:
- Famous Geminis
- Famous Activists
- Famous People Born in 1942
Thabo Mbeki
Activist, World Leader / 1942 -
Thabo Mbeki succeeded Nelson Mandela as the president of South Africa, holding leadership for more than nine years.
1942 | 70 years old
Activist, World Leader
June 18
Died on This Day
-
John Cheever
- In these groups:
- Famous Geminis
- Famous People Named John
- Famous Fiction Authors
John Cheever
Author / 1912 - 1982
U.S. short-story writer and novelist John Cheever’s story collections include The Stories of John Cheever, for which he won a Pulitzer Prize in 1978.
Died: June 18, 1982
Age: 70 years old
Place: Ossining, New York , United States
Occupation: Author -
Ethel Barrymore
- In these groups:
- Best Supporting Actress Oscar Winners
- Famous Leos
- Famous Actresses
Ethel Barrymore
Film Actress, Theater Actress, Radio Personality / 1879 - 1959
Ethel Barrymore was an American stage and film actress whose distinctive style, voice, and wit made her the “first lady” of the American theatre.
1959 | 79 years old
Film Actress, Theater Actress, ... -
Nancy Marchand
- In these groups:
- Famous Geminis
- Famous Actresses
- Famous People Named Nancy
Nancy Marchand
Actress / 1928 - 2000
Actress Nancy Marchand won Obie Awards for her stage work and Emmy Awards for her role on Lou Grant. She is also known for playing Livia on The Sopranos.
2000 | 71 years old
Actress
Email Updates
Quiz
about Biography?
Answer questions and see how you rank against other players.
Play Nowprofile name: Paul McCartney profile occupation: Animal Rights Activist, Songwriter, ...
profile id: 554976
profile name: Roger Ebert profile occupation: Film Critic, Talk Show Host, Journalist
profile id: 9184008
profile name: Anastasia profile occupation: Duchess
profile id: 20706169
profile name: Isabella Rossellini profile occupation: Film Actress, Model
profile id: 9234607
profile name: Sammy Cahn profile occupation: Songwriter, Pianist
profile id: 40153
profile name: Thabo Mbeki profile occupation: Activist, World Leader
profile id: 9245907
profile name: John Cheever profile occupation: Author
profile id: 9200369
profile name: Ethel Barrymore profile occupation: Film Actress, Theater Actress, ...
profile id: 9542368
profile name: Nancy Marchand profile occupation: Actress
profile id: 9420291
profile name: Napoleon profile occupation: Political Leader
profile id: 9248164
profile name: Winston Churchill profile occupation: Prime Minister
profile id: 9357941
profile name: Janis Joplin profile occupation: Singer
profile id: 9334756
profile name: Jimi Hendrix profile occupation: Songwriter
profile id: 9480456
profile name: Ravi Shankar profile occupation: Musician
profile id: 9458284
profile name: Sally Ride profile occupation: Physicist
profile id: 9269794
profile name: Charles de Gaulle profile occupation: Military Leader
profile id: 9432357
profile name: Arnold Palmer profile occupation: Golfer
profile id: 40666
profile name: Jack Nicklaus profile occupation: Athlete
profile id: 9436115
profile name: Sam Peckinpah profile occupation: Film Actor
profile id: 9542071
profile name: Debbie Reynolds profile occupation: Singer
profile id: 9412123
profile name: Marilyn Monroe profile occupation: Pin-up
profile id: 37105
profile name: José Gervasio Artigas profile occupation: Political Leader
profile id: 38276
profile name: Lillian Hellman profile occupation: Screenwriter
profile id: 37578
profile name: Carl Stokes profile occupation: Mayor
profile id: 38207
profile name: Octavia E. Butler profile occupation: Author
Your Connections
Sign in with Facebook to see how you and your friends are connected to famous icons.

June Carter Cash
Musical Monikers
Justin Bieber
My Ghost Story
I Survived
Babe Ruth
Johnny Cash
Georgia O'Keefe
I Survived


