Name: Mamluk Sultan al-Ashraf Khalil captures Acre from Crusaders
Start: 1291-05-18
Location: Acre, Kingdom of Jerusalem

Holidays on May 18, 2026:

National Patriots' Day

National Patriots' Day, 5/18/2026: Honor the brave men and women who fought for freedom and independence, and pay tribute to those who shaped America's history. more >>

Indulge in the perfect pairing of peanut butter and chocolate as fans around the world come together to salute the iconic Reese's Peanut Butter Cups, a classic American candy treat that's been a staple in many households for generations. more >>

International Museum Day

International Museum Day, May 18, 2026: Discover the world's cultural and scientific heritage through interactive events, exhibitions, and more. more >>

HIV Vaccine Awareness Day

HIV Vaccine Awareness Day, 5/18/2026, recognize efforts to develop a safe and effective HIV vaccine, honor lives lost, and recommit to a world free from HIV threat. more >>

National Visit Your Relatives Day

National Visit Your Relatives Day, 5/18/2026: Reconnect with loved ones, strengthen family bonds, and create new memories. more >>

World AIDS Vaccine Day

World AIDS Vaccine Day, May 18, 2026: Join the fight against HIV/AIDS with awareness, advocacy, and education. more >>

Send an Electronic Greeting Card Day

Send an Electronic Greeting Card Day, 5/18/2026: Spread love and cheer with digital greeting cards, customizable with personalized messages and designs. more >>

National Speech and Language Pathologist (SLP) Appreciation Day

National Speech and Language Pathologist (SLP) Appreciation Day, 5/18/2026. Honor the dedication of SLPs who transform lives through communication and swallowing disorder treatment, improving quality of life. more >>

National Cheese Souffle Day

National Cheese Souffle Day, 5/18/2026: Indulge in the art of crafting the perfect souffle with unique flavors and textures. more >>

Birthdays on May 18:

Tina Fey

55 Years Old

A talented comedic genius behind iconic TV shows and films, creating relatable characters and witty dialogue that resonate with audiences worldwide.

Pope John Paul II

Died in 2005, aged 84

Leader of the Catholic Church from 1978 to 2005, known for helping to end communism in Poland and being a charismatic advocate for human rights and social justice.

Frank Capra

Died in 1991, aged 94

Acclaimed filmmaker behind iconic movies like "It's a Wonderful Life" and "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington", known for heartwarming, socially conscious storytelling.

Reggie Jackson

79 Years Old

A legendary slugger and charismatic broadcaster, known for his clutch hitting and iconic mustache, entertaining fans on and off the field.

Jens Bergensten

46 Years Old

Co-creator of the globally phenomenon Minecraft, responsible for shaping the game's creative vision and development. This iconic game has become a cultural staple, inspiring countl...

Chow Yun-fat

70 Years Old

A renowned Hong Kong actor and screenwriter, starring in over 120 films, including critically acclaimed titles like "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" and "Pirates of the Caribbean: ...

Bertrand Russell

Died in 1970, aged 97

A renowned thinker who made significant contributions to mathematics, philosophy, and social commentary, known for his influential writings on logic, ethics, and politics. He's a p...

Brooks Robinson

88 Years Old

Hall of Fame third baseman and iconic defensive player, renowned for his incredible fielding skills and 16 Gold Glove Awards.

Rick Wakeman

76 Years Old

A legendary keyboardist and songwriter, renowned for his iconic synthesizer work and elaborate live performances, especially with Yes, a pioneering progressive rock band.

Omar KhayyÃ¡m

Died in 1131, aged 83

A Persian polymath who made groundbreaking contributions to mathematics, astronomy, and literature, leaving a lasting legacy in the form of iconic poetry and mathematical discoveri...

Mathew Brady

Died in 1896, aged 73

Pioneering photographer who documented the American Civil War, capturing hauntingly vivid images that humanized the conflict and preserved its history.

Oliver Heaviside

Born in 1850

Developed groundbreaking theories in electromagnetism and telecommunication, and is credited with reformulating Maxwell's equations into their modern form. His work laid the founda...

Events from History on May 18:

270 years ago

Great Britain declares war on France, sparking global conflict (London, England, UK) 1756

As European powers jostle for colonial supremacy, Britain's declaration of war on France marks the beginning of the Seven Years' War, a global conflict that will soon entangle most of Europe, the Americas, and India. This war will be a game-changer, shaping the modern world map, deciding the fate of empires, and setting the stage for the American and French Revolutions.

109 years ago

World War I: US introduces first-ever military draft law (Washington, D.C., USA) 1917

The United States is finally getting serious about joining the Great War, and it starts with a historic move: the Selective Service Act of 1917. This pivotal legislation gives President Woodrow Wilson the power to conscript young men for military service, marking a major shift in the country's approach to war. As the war rages on in Europe, the US is now ready to do its part, and this law paves the way for millions of Americans to be drafted into the army.

222 years ago

Napoleon Bonaparte proclaimed Emperor of the French (Palace of Fontainebleau, Fontainebleau, Ãle-de-France, France) 1804

Napoleon Bonaparte, the mastermind behind France's military conquests, took a drastic step towards solidifying his grip on power when the French Senate, swayed by his charisma and military prowess, proclaimed him Emperor of the French on May 18, 1804, marking a significant turning point in European history as the revolutionary ideals of liberty, equality, and fraternity gave way to imperial ambitions.

163 years ago

Union forces begin siege of Vicksburg (Vicksburg, Mississippi, USA) 1863

Ulysses S. Grant's Union forces converged on Vicksburg, Mississippi, launching a 47-day siege that would change the course of the American Civil War. Grant's strategy was to pinch off the Confederacy's vital lifeline â the Mississippi River â and split the rebel territory in two. As Confederate General John C. Pemberton's men huddled behind Vicksburg's imposing earthworks, Grant's army enveloped the city, slowly squeezing the life out of it. The fate of the war, and the nation, hung in the balance.

82 years ago

Soviet Union Deports 200,000 Crimean Tatars Overnight (Crimea, Soviet Union) 1944

As the clocks struck midnight, the once-thriving homes of Crimean Tatars were awash with chaos, panic, and betrayal. In a single night, without warning, the Soviet Union launched a brutal and meticulously planned operation to deport approximately 200,000 Tatars from their ancestral homeland in Crimea. The ruthless expulsion, masterminded by Soviet dictator Joseph Stalin, would see entire families forcibly loaded onto cattle trains, never to return to their beloved peninsula. The swift and merciless deportation, carried out by Soviet troops andNKVD secret police, marked a dark chapter in the history of the Crimean Tatar people, leaving behind a legacy of tears, loss, and struggle for survival.

735 years ago

Mamluk Sultan al-Ashraf Khalil captures Acre from Crusaders (Acre, Kingdom of Jerusalem) 1291

The Mamluk Sultan al-Ashraf Khalil had had enough of the pesky Crusaders. For nearly two centuries, these Christian warriors had been trying to reclaim the Holy Land from Muslim rule. But on this fateful day, Khalil's massive army, boasting tens of thousands of soldiers, besieged Acre, the last Crusader stronghold in the region. The Crusaders, vastly outnumbered and outgunned, fought valiantly but ultimately fell to the Mamluk's relentless onslaught. With Acre's fall, the Crusader presence in the Holy Land came to an ignominious end.

Notable Deaths on May 18:

2023Jim Brown American football player, civil rights activist, and actor who left an indelible mark

2017Chris Cornell American singer-songwriter known for his unique vocal style

1995Elizabeth Montgomery Iconic American actress who made a lasting impression on the small and big screens.

2021Charles Grodin American actor and talk show host who charmed audiences

1995Elisha Cook, Jr. Versatile American actor who brought characters to life on the big screen.

1973Jeannette Rankin Jeannette Rankin|American social worker and politician who advocated for women's rights and peace

2017Roger Ailes American businessman who transformed the media landscape

2009Dolla American rapper who rhymed about life's struggles

2024Alice Stewart Influential American political commentator

1995Alexander Godunov Talented Russian-American ballet dancer and actor who paved the way for future generations.

1981Arthur O'Connell Arthur OConnell|American actor who gained fame on Broadway and in Hollywood films

2008Joseph Pevney American actor who brought characters to life on screen

1955Mary McLeod Bethune Mary McLeod Bethune|American educator and activist who fought for equality and social justice

1980Ian Curtis Ian Curtis|English singer-songwriter who fronted the influential post-punk band Joy Division

2012Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau German opera singer who entertained with powerful voice

1999Betty Robinson American runner who shattered barriers and broke records

1975Leroy Anderson Leroy Anderson|American composer and conductor who wrote iconic classical music

2024Bruce Nordstrom Prominent American businessman leader

1999Augustus Pablo Trailblazing Jamaican musician who fused genres and created a musical revolution

1922Charles Louis Alphonse Laveran Charles Louis Alphonse Laveran|Pioneering parasitologist and Nobel laureate who discovered parasitic diseases

Victoria Day