What happend on 18th April

17.04
19.04
2005

Papal conclave begins at the Sistine Chapel after death of Pope John Paul II

2002

A new order of insects, Mantophasmatodea, is announced.

1996

In Lebanon, 102 Lebanese civilians are killed when the Israel Defense Forces shell the UN compound at Qana (see Qana Massacre).

1992

General Abdul Rashid Dostum revolted against President Mohammad Najibullah of the Democratic Republic of Afghanistan and allied with Ahmed Shah Massoud to capture Kabul.

1988

U.S. launches Operation Praying Mantis against Iranian naval forces in retaliation for the April 14 mining of the USS Samuel B. Roberts (FFG-58) in the Persian Gulf during Operation Earnest Will. The one-day action is the world's largest naval battle since World War II.

1987

Mike Schmidt becomes the 14th member of the 500 home run club with a home run at Three Rivers Stadium in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

1983

A suicide bomber destroys the United States embassy in Beirut, Lebanon, killing 63 people.

1981

A Minor League baseball game between the Rochester Red Wings and the Pawtucket Red Sox at McCoy Stadium in Pawtucket, Rhode Island becomes the longest professional baseball game in history: 8 hours and 25 minutes/33 innings (the 33rd inning was not played until June 23rd).

1980

The Republic of Zimbabwe (formerly Rhodesia) comes into being, with Canaan Banana as the country's first President.

1974

Italian prosecutor Mario Sossi is kidnapped by the Red Brigades.