September 18: Holidays, Historical Events, Famous Birthdays & Zodiac Sign
On September 18, 1810, Chile took its first real step toward independence — a date now celebrated with such fervor that the entire country calls it simply "Dieciocho."
About September 18
Chile's National Day, affectionately known as Dieciocho (the eighteenth), commemorates the 1810 formation of the First Government Junta in Santiago. Though technically meant as a temporary measure while Spain was tangled in the Peninsular War, that gathering planted the seed for full Chilean sovereignty — and every September 18, the nation celebrates with rodeos, cueca dancing, and heaping plates of empanadas.
But September 18 has served as a stage for pivotal moments far beyond South America. In 1793, George Washington personally laid the cornerstone of the United States Capitol. In 1851, the New-York Daily Times published its inaugural edition, beginning the long legacy of the paper we now know as The New York Times. And in 1837, Charles Lewis Tiffany and Teddy Young opened a modest "stationery and fancy goods emporium" in Manhattan — the earliest incarnation of Tiffany & Co.
The date also carries echoes of empire. In AD 96, Emperor Domitian was assassinated in a conspiracy involving his own wife, Domitia, clearing the path for Nerva to take the throne. In 324, Constantine the Great crushed Licinius at the Battle of Chrysopolis, seizing sole command of the Roman Empire. And in 1066, Harald Hardrada of Norway sailed into the Humber River to launch his fateful invasion of England — a campaign that would dramatically reshape British history within weeks.
Holidays & Observances on September 18
- Day of National Music (Azerbaijan)
- Island Language Day (Okinawa Prefecture, Japan)
- National Day or Dieciocho (Chile)
- National HIV/AIDS and Aging Awareness Day (United States)
- Navy Day (Croatia)
- World Water Monitoring Day
Fun & National Days on September 18
- National Cheeseburger Day — Fire up the grill or find the best local joint — today is the perfect excuse to savor a juicy, melted-cheese classic.
- First Love Day — Send a nostalgic text or simply smile at the memory of that very first flutter of youthful romance.
- International Equal Pay Day — Take a moment to recognize the global push for wage fairness and the ongoing work still needed to close the gap.
- Hug a Greeting Card Writer Day — Pen a heartfelt note of thanks to the wordsmiths who craft the sentiments you send on every special occasion.
- International Read an eBook Day — Download a new title or revisit an old favorite on your e-reader and lose yourself in digital pages this evening.
- Chiropractic Founder's Day
- International Grenache Day
- National Concussion Awareness Day
- National POW/MIA Recognition Day
On This Day in History
- 96 — Emperor Domitian was murdered in a conspiracy orchestrated by his wife Domitia and two Praetorian prefects, clearing the way for Nerva to ascend the throne.
- 324 — Constantine the Great routed Licinius at the Battle of Chrysopolis, securing undisputed command of the entire Roman Empire under a single ruler.
- 1066 — Norwegian king Harald Hardrada and Tostig Godwinson landed at the Humber River's mouth, launching the invasion of England that would end at Stamford Bridge.
- 1759 — The Articles of Capitulation of Quebec were signed, a decisive moment in the French and Indian War that transferred New France into British hands.
- 1793 — George Washington laid the very first cornerstone of the United States Capitol building, launching construction of the iconic legislative landmark.
- 1810 — Chile established its First Government Junta in Santiago, a nominally provisional body that effectively became the country's opening stride toward independence.
- 1837 — Charles Lewis Tiffany and Teddy Young launched Tiffany & Young in New York City, originally operating as a modest stationery and fancy-goods shop.
- 1851 — The New-York Daily Times published its debut edition, introducing what would grow into one of the most influential newspapers on the planet.
- 1915 — The Saturday Evening Post printed "Extricating Young Gussie" by P. G. Wodehouse, marking the debut of the beloved duo Bertie Wooster and Jeeves.
- 1919 — Queen Wilhelmina of the Netherlands granted royal assent to legislation granting women full voting rights across the country.
- 1981 — France's Assemblée Nationale voted to abolish capital punishment, permanently removing the death penalty from the nation's legal code.
Famous Birthdays on September 18
- 53 — Trajan, Roman emperor (53–117) who presided over the empire's greatest territorial expansion and ambitious public building programs.
- 1709 — Samuel Johnson, English lexicographer, poet, and essayist (1709–1784) whose monumental dictionary shaped English language scholarship for generations.
- 1752 — Adrien-Marie Legendre, French mathematician (1752–1833) who made foundational contributions to number theory, statistics, and elliptic functions.
- 1819 — Léon Foucault, French physicist (1819–1868) best known for the Foucault pendulum, which provided the first simple proof of Earth's rotation.
- 1885 — Uzeyir Hajibeyov, Azerbaijani composer and playwright (1885–1948) widely revered as the father of classical music in Azerbaijan.
- 1895 — John Diefenbaker, Canadian lawyer and statesman (1895–1979) who served as the 13th Prime Minister of Canada and championed the Canadian Bill of Rights.
- 1905 — Greta Garbo, Swedish-American actress (1905–1990) whose magnetic screen presence made her one of Hollywood's most enduring and enigmatic icons.
- 1961 — James Gandolfini, American actor (1961–2013) whose groundbreaking performance as Tony Soprano transformed television drama forever.
- 1971 — Jada Pinkett Smith, American actress born 1971 known for her dynamic roles in film and television as well as her candid advocacy work.
- 1976 — Ronaldo, Brazilian footballer born 1976 whose dazzling skill and goal-scoring power made him a two-time FIFA World Player of the Year.