Pope Gregory V, the first German Pope. dies suddenly on February 18, 999, at approximately 27 years old, possibly due to malaria or suspected foul play. His brief, tumultuous pontificate was marked by conflict with Antipope John XVI.
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On This Day in History: February 18
Explore the historical events that shaped our world on February 18th. From major milestones to cultural achievements, see what happened on this day in history. Dates for earlier events may be approximate.
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George Plantagenet, Duke of Clarence, is executed for treason against his brother, King Edward IV of England on February 18, 1478, at the Tower of London.
George Plantagenet, the 1st Duke of Clarence and brother to King Edward IV, is executed for high treason on February 18, 1478, at the Tower of London during the War of the Roses. The execution was the culmination of years of political rivalry, shifting alliances, and acts of disloyalty by the Duke against his brother, the King.
His execution took place following his conviction by Parliament, he was killed privately, with popular legend, immortalized by Shakespeare, claiming he was drowned in a butt of Malmsey wine.
Pope Innocent VIII launches the Spanish Inquisition to combat heresy, contributing to the persecution of Jews and Muslims in Spain.
Protestant reformer Martin Luther dies in Eisleben, Germany. on February 18, 1546. He was 62 years old and had returned to his hometown to mediate a dispute between the counts of Mansfeld.
Sweden introduces the Gregorian calendar, shifting from the old-style Julian calendar on February 18, 1753, by skipping 11 days, making the next day March 1.
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Mark Twain's "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn" is published in the U.S. on February 18, 1885. It had been first published on December 10, 1884 in the United Kingdom and Canada.
The book was written in vernacular English with open discussions about slavery and racism it the South, before the Civil War. It was controversial for its time but celebrated by most who read it.
The dwarf planet Pluto is discovered by Clyde Tombaugh, on February 18, 1930 at the Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff, Arizona. Tombaugh, was 24-year-s old at the time and had no formal training in astronomy.
FBI agent Robert Hanssen was arrested on February 18, 2001, for spying for the Soviet Union and its successor state, Russia, for more than 20 years. He was charged with 15 counts of espionage and conspiracy. On May 10, 2002, Hanssen was sentenced to 15 consecutive life sentences without the possibility of parole.
He was charged with 15 counts of espionage and conspiracy. He reached a plea bargain avoiding the death penalty, in exchange for cooperating with authorities and providing a full account of his activities. Hanssen provided highly classified national security information in exchange for over $1.4 million in cash and diamonds; compromising numerous U.S. intelligence operations and assets which led to the execution of at least two U.S. double agents by the Russians. Hanssen died in prison in 2023, at the age of 79, from natural causes. More
The Web site WikiLeaks begins posting classified U.S. government documents on February 18, 2010 with the release of a single diplomatic cable known as "Reykjavik13". The documents were provided by army intelligence analyst Bradley (later Chelsea) Manning.
The total release of information released over a few months is believed to be the largest unauthorized release of state secrets in U.S. history. Manning was arrested in May 2010, and sentenced in 2013, to 35 years in military prison for violations of the Espionage Act and other offenses. Julian Assange and WikiLeaks facilitated the publication of this data, leading to intense debate over national security, state secrecy, and the role of modern media.
NASA's Perseverance rover successfully lands on Mars, beginning its mission to explore the planet's surface.
NASA's Mars rover, Perseverance, lands successfully on Mars, beginning its mission to search for signs of ancient life.