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What happened on March 18th?
The $500 million heist that left experts baffled
Matthew Jones
March 18, 2025
1990 The Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum Art Heist Shocks the World
On March 18th, 1990, two thieves disguised as police officers stole 13 masterpieces, including works by Vermeer, Rembrandt, and Degas, from the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum in Boston. Valued at over $500 million, it remains the largest art theft in history and an enduring mystery as the stolen pieces have never been recovered.
The frames of the two stolen Rembrandt paintings, A Lady and Gentleman in Black on the left and The Storm on the Sea of Galilee on the right, stand empty.
🗞️Today’s Headlines
Everything important that’s ever happened on March 18:
2012 — Tongan King Tupou V died in Hong Kong, and his younger brother, Crown Prince Lavaka, ascended the island nation's monarchy as Tupou VI.
2000 — Chen Shui-bian, a member of the pro-independence Democratic Progressive Party, won Taiwan's presidency, ending more than 50 years of Kuomintang rule.
1974 — OPEC9 lifted its five-month oil embargo against the United States, which had caused a major energy crisis and skyrocketing oil prices.
1906 — Romanian inventor Trajan Vuia successfully piloted the first self-propelled monoplane, flying 12 meters (40 feet) near Paris, France.
1902 — Italian operatic tenor Enrico Caruso recorded his first phonograph performance, ushering in a new era for recorded music.
🎂 Today’s Birthdays
On March 18, we’re singing to:
Grover Cleveland (1837) — 22nd and 24th president of the United States, remembered for his nonconsecutive terms and firm stance against corruption.
Queen Latifah (1970) — Grammy-winning musician, actress, and trailblazer in hip-hop, known for her roles in Chicago and The Equalizer, as well as the underrated 90s sitcom Living Single.
Lily Collins (1989) — British-American actress celebrated for her performances in Emily in Paris and To the Bone.
🪦Who Died Today?
On March 18, we’re saying goodbye to:
Ivan the Terrible (1584) — Tsar of Russia and transformative yet ruthless ruler notorious for his violent reign and centralization of power.
Chuck Berry (2017) — Pioneer of rock and roll famous for shaping the sound of modern music with iconic songs such as “Johnny B. Goode.”
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