What happened on June 18?

Good morning,

You never quite know when you’re going to do something that will be remembered forever. 

Today is most famous for Napoleon's iconic fall at the Battle of Waterloo.

It was on this battlefield in present-day Belgium that Napoleon Bonaparte, the once-mighty Emperor of France, met his final defeat at the hands of the Allied forces led by the Duke of Wellington and Gebhard Leberecht von Blücher.  

Today, the term “Waterloo” is used to describe an attempted and failed comeback in everyday language. I bet Napoleon didn’t expect that to happen when he marched into battle. 

Here’s more on this event and the other neat stuff that happened on June 18:

⚔️ 1815: Napoleon Is Defeated in the Battle of Waterloo

Napoleon Bonaparte, the Emperor of France (1804 - 1814/15), was defeated in the Battle of Waterloo. This decisive battle, fought near Waterloo in present-day Belgium, marked the end of Napoleon's rule as Emperor and his Hundred Days' return from exile. 

Napoleon's forces faced a coalition of British, Dutch, Belgian, and Prussian troops commanded by the Duke of Wellington and Field Marshal Blücher. Despite initial successes, Napoleon's army was ultimately defeated, leading to his abdication and eventual exile to the remote island of Saint Helena in the South Atlantic. 

The Battle of Waterloo ended Napoleon's ambitious military campaigns and reshaped the political landscape of Europe. Learn more about Napoleon and his death in How Did Napoleon Die: Stomach Cancer, Poison, or Something Else?.

🪖 1778: British Forces in America Abandon Philadelphia

In 1778, during the American Revolutionary War, British forces abandoned Philadelphia on June 18. The British had occupied the city, which was then the American capital, since September 1777. However, the entry of France into the war on the side of the American colonies pressured the British to consolidate their forces in New York. Read how this fits into the entire  American Revolution Timeline

📜 1798: President John Adams Oversees the Passage of the First of Alien and Sedition Acts

President John Adams signed the Naturalization Act, the first of the controversial Alien and Sedition Acts. These laws, enacted amid rising tensions with France and fears of foreign influence, sought to protect national security but were criticized for their potential to target political opponents. The Alien Acts increased residency requirements for citizenship and allowed for the deportation and detention of "dangerous" aliens, while the Sedition Act criminalized false or malicious writings against the government.

⚔️ 1812: War of 1812 Begins

On June 18, 1812, the United States declared war on Great Britain, marking the beginning of the War of 1812. This conflict arose from a series of escalating tensions between the two nations, including British trade restrictions that hindered American commerce, the impressment of American sailors into the Royal Navy, and British support for Native American tribes resisting American westward expansion. 

💸 1873: American Suffragist Susan B. Anthony Is Fined

Susan B. Anthony was fined $100 for illegally voting in the 1872 presidential election. Her act of defiance and subsequent trial brought national attention to the women's suffrage movement.

📜 1934: Indian Reorganization Act Is Signed into Law

President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed the Indian Reorganization Act, aiming to reverse assimilation policies and restore tribal governments and lands. This law marked a significant shift in U.S. policy toward Native American self-governance.

🖊️ 1979: The SALT II Treaty Is Signed

On June 18, 1979, in Vienna, Austria, U.S. President Jimmy Carter and Soviet leader Leonid Brezhnev signed the SALT II (Strategic Arms Limitation Talks) Treaty. This agreement sought to curb the escalating arms race between the two superpowers by placing limits on the number of strategic nuclear weapons and delivery systems each nation could possess.

🚀 1983: Sally Ride Is Launched

Sally Ride made history as the first American woman to travel into space. As a mission specialist aboard the Space Shuttle Challenger for mission STS-7, Ride conducted scientific experiments, deployed satellites, and performed other critical tasks during the six-day mission. Her groundbreaking achievement opened the door for increased participation of women in the U.S. space program.

🌟 Born on This Day in History

1886: George Mallory, British Explorer and Mountaineer

George Mallory was a renowned British explorer and mountaineer famous for his attempts to summit Mount Everest. He participated in the first three British expeditions to Everest in the early 1920s. Mallory's famous quote, "Because it's there," when asked why he wanted to climb Everest, epitomized the spirit of exploration. 

1942: Paul McCartney, British Musician

Sir Paul McCartney is a legendary British musician, singer-songwriter, and composer who needs no introduction. The former Beatle has had a successful solo career as well as a member of the band Wings..

💔 Died on This Day in History

1865: Edmund Ruffin, Scientist

Edmund Ruffin was an American scientist, agriculturalist, and staunch proponent of secession. He is often credited with helping to pioneer agricultural reform in the Southern United States, particularly through his advocacy for crop rotation and the use of marl as a fertilizer to rejuvenate depleted soils. Beyond his contributions to agriculture, Ruffin is also known for his vehement support of the Confederacy.

1880: John Sutter, US Pioneer

John Sutter was a notable Swiss-American pioneer and settler in California. He established Sutter's Fort in the Sacramento Valley in 1839, which became a critical stopping point for American pioneers traveling west. Sutter is perhaps best known for the discovery of gold at his mill in 1848, an event that sparked the California Gold Rush.

2014: Horace Silver, Musician

Horace Silver was a prominent jazz pianist and composer, known for his role in developing the hard bop style. His compositions, such as "Song for My Father," are jazz standards.

A big day for Napoleon, but not in the way he wanted. Still, lots of interesting stuff is happening today. I hope you enjoyed it. 

See you tomorrow, 

Matt