18 December in Indian and World History is celebrated, observed, and remembered for various reasons. 18 December is the birth anniversary of Guru Ghasidas and Bhikhari Thakur.
18 December is also observed as the death anniversary of Padumlal Punnalal Bakshi and Mukut Bihari Lal Bhargava.
Birth Anniversary
18 December in Indian history is celebrated as the birth anniversary of the following personalities:
Guru Ghasidas (18 December 1756 – 1850), was paramount in the saint tradition of the state of Chhattisgarh, India. Since childhood, the feeling of detachment had erupted in Ghasidas’s heart. Since childhood, he was opposed to animal sacrifice and other evil practices prevalent in society. He had made an incomparable contribution in providing a new direction to society. Meeting with the truth was the ultimate goal of Guru Ghasidas’ life. Guru Ghasidas is also considered to be the founder of ‘Satnam Panth’. He was born on 18 December 1756.
Bhikhari Thakur (18 December 1887 – 10 July 1971), a Bhojpuri capable folk artist, theater artist, message carrier of folk awakening, announcer of women’s discourse, and Dalit discourse, exclusive of folk songs and bhajan kirtan He was a seeker. Bhikhari Thakur was a man of multi-faceted talent. He was simultaneously a poet, lyricist, playwright, theatrical director, folk musician, and actor. Bhikhari Thakur’s mother tongue was Bhojpuri and he made Bhojpuri the language of his poetry and drama. He was born on 18 December 1887.
Read More: 17 December in Indian and World History
Death Anniversary
18 December in Indian history is observed as the death anniversary of the following personalities:
Padumlal Punnalal Bakshi (27 May 1894 – 18 December 1971), was an accomplished editor of Saraswati, famous as Sahitya Vachaspati and Masterji. He was a famous essayist. He died on 18 December 1971.
Mukut Bihari Lal Bhargava (30 June 1903 – 18 December 1980), was a social worker, Indian politician, member of the Indian National Congress, and member of the Lok Sabha from 1951 to 1967. He was also elected a member of the Constituent Assembly. Mukut Bihari Lal represented Ajmer constituency in the Lok Sabha in three elections after independence. He died on 18 December 1980.
Read More: 16 December in Indian and World History
Notable events on 18 December in Indian and World History
18 December 1271 – The Mongol ruler Kublai Khan named his empire Yuan, and this marked the beginning of the Yuan dynasty in Mongolia and China.
18 December 1398 – Timur captured Delhi by defeating Sultan Nusrat Shah.
18 December 1777 – National Thanksgiving Day was celebrated for the first time in America.
18 December 1787 – New Jersey became the third state to adopt the US Constitution.
18 December 1799 – The body of the first US President George Washington was buried in Mount Vernon.
18 December 1833 – The national anthem of Russia ‘God Save the Jar’ was sung for the first time.
18 December 1839 – John Draper of America photographed a celestial body (moon) for the first time.
18 December 1849 – William Bond took the first photograph of the Moon with a telescope.
18 December 1865 – The first cattle import law in America was passed.
18 December 1878 – The Al-Thani family became the first family to rule Qatar.
18 December 1899 – Field Marshal Lord Roberts was appointed the first British Supreme Commander in South Africa.
18 December 1913 – Willy Brandt, a German politician, and Nobel Prize Laureate, was born.
18 December 1914 – Britain formally declared Egypt its colony.
18 December 1916 – During the First World War, France defeated Germany in the Battle of Verdun.
18 December 1917 – The Soviet regiment declared the independence of Finland.
18 December 1936 – Andrija Mohorovičić, a Croatian meteorologist and seismologist who is best known for his discovery of the Mohorovičić discontinuity, died.
December 18, 1936 – Leonardo Torres Quevedo (December 28, 1852 – December 18, 1936) was a distinguished Spanish engineer, mathematician, and inventor, died.
18 December 1938 – The atomic age began with the analysis of nuclear energy by the German scientist and chemist Ottoman.
18 December 1960 – The National Museum was inaugurated in the capital Delhi.
18 December 1969 – The death penalty was abolished in England.
18 December 1988 – Australia scored a hat-trick to win the title for the third time in a row by defeating England by 8 wickets in the final of the Women’s World Cup.
18 December 1989 – Sachin Tendulkar played his first ODI cricket match against Pakistan.
18 December 1997 – the Washington Treaty for cooperation in space research was concluded between India and the United States.
18 December 2002 – The International Court of Justice in The Hague upheld Malaysia’s right to control the Sipidan and Ligitan islands.
18 December 2007 – Japan tested an interceptor missile.
18 December 2008 – The BrahMos supersonic cruise missile was successfully test-fired.
18 December 2014 – The heaviest rocket GSLV Mark-3 was successfully launched.
18 December 2017 – India won 29 gold out of 30 in the Commonwealth Wrestling Championships.
18 December Historical Significance
On December 18th, several significant events have occurred throughout history. One notable event is the adoption of the United Nations Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide in 1948. This treaty aimed to prevent and punish acts of genocide, marking a crucial step in international efforts to address atrocities and protect human rights. Additionally, on December 18th, 1865, slavery was officially abolished in the United States with the ratification of the Thirteenth Amendment to the Constitution. This historic milestone marked the end of centuries of legalized slavery and represented a significant victory in the fight for civil rights. Moreover, on December 18th, 1892, Tchaikovsky’s timeless ballet “The Nutcracker” premiered in St. Petersburg, Russia. Since then, it has become a beloved holiday tradition worldwide, captivating audiences with its enchanting music and timeless story. These events showcase the diversity of historical significance associated with December 18th, spanning human rights, cultural heritage, and artistic achievement.
Important Days of 18 December in History
Minorities Rights Day: 18 December is observed as Minorities Rights Day in India. It is celebrated to preserve and promote the rights of minority communities in India. This day focuses on issues like the safety of minorities in the state.
International Migrants Day: 18 December is also observed as International Migrants Day. It is celebrated to raise awareness about the protection of migrants and refugees. The International Organisation for Migration (IOM) is calling on the international community to come together and remember the migrants and refugees who have lost their lives or have disappeared while reaching a safe harbour.
Arabic Language Day: Established by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), this day celebrates the Arabic language’s role in promoting peace and sustainable development.
