Henry I of England marries Matilda of Scotland, securing a crucial alliance.
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What Happened Today in History on 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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The Sixth Crusade ends with the surrender of the Egyptian city of Damietta to the crusaders.
Battle of the Golden Spurs: Flemish militia defeat French knights in Kortrijk, Belgium.
Battle of Roslin: Scots under John Comyn and Simon Fraser defeat English forces.
George Plantagenet, the Duke of Clarence and brother to King Edward IV, is executed for treason during the War of the Roses at the Tower of London. The execution was the culmination of years of political rivalry, shifting alliances, and acts of disloyalty by the Duke against his brother, the King.
Pope Innocent VIII launches the Spanish Inquisition to combat heresy, contributing to the persecution of Jews and Muslims in Spain.
Pope Julius II issues a papal bull against slavery, condemning the enslavement of indigenous peoples in the Americas.
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.
The dwarf planet Pluto is discovered by Clyde Tombaugh at the Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff, Arizona. Tombaugh, was 24-year-s old at the time and had no formal training in astronomy.
The first 10 episodes of "Roots," a groundbreaking TV miniseries about slavery, air in the United States.
FBI agent Robert Hanssen is arrested for spying for Russia for more than 15 years.
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.