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18th May

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1974: India detonates atomic bomb


On 18 May 1974, in the Rajasthan Desert, India successfully explodes its first nuclear weapon, a fission bomb similar in power to the U.S. atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima. The test fell on the traditional anniversary of the Buddha's enlightenment, and Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi received the message, Buddha has smiled, from the exuberant test-site scientists after the detonation. India, becoming the world's sixth nuclear power, broke the nuclear monopoly of the five members of the U.N. Security Council, the United States, the Soviet Union, Great Britain, China and France. Defending itself against international criticism, India claimed it would use its new atomic power as a deterrent against future conflict with China and Pakistan.

2006

The newly installed Nepalese government votes to strip the King of Nepal of his power leaving him with a largely ceremonial role.

1994

Michael Jackson marries Lisa Marie Presley – they divorce two years later.

1991

Helen Sharman, at the age of 27, becomes the first Briton in space.

1980

Mount St Helens' volcano in the American state of Washington erupts killing at least 100 people and creating a cloud of ash 2,500 miles long and 1,000 miles wide.

1969

In America, NASA launches Apollo 10 - its mission is a rehearsal for the Moon landing flight later in the year.

1950

In London, NATO formally establishes it charter.

1944

The Second World War: Allied troops led by the Polish Army, finally win the Battle of Monte Cassino in Italy.

1900

In the Boer War in South Africa, a small British cavalry force relieves the town of Mafeking after a 217 day siege by the Boers. The British garrison commander is Colonel Robert Baden-Powell.

1897

Bram Stoker book Dracula is published.

1896

In the case of Plessy v. Ferguson, the U.S. Supreme court effectively rules in favour of separation of races within American society. 

1860

In America, Abraham Lincoln is nominated as the Republican Presidential candidate.

1848

Founded as a result of the 1848 revolutions, the Frankfurt Parliament (German National Assembly) convenes for the first time.

1804

Napoleon Bonaparte is proclaimed Emperor of France.

1803

Britain ends its adherence to the Treaty of Amiens by declaring war on Napoleonic France.

1152

Eleanor, Duchess of Aquitaine, marries Henry Plantagenet (later Henry II of England).

1920

Pope John Paul II is born Karol Wojtyla near Krakow in Poland. In 1978 he becomes the first non-Italian Pope for more than 450 years.

1919

British prima ballerina Margot Fonteyn. Begins her career with the Sadler's Wells company in London in 1934 and in 1962 begins a legendary partnership with Rudolph Nureyev.

1912

American singer and entertainer Perry Como. Becomes a star with easy-listening ballads such as 'Magic Moments'; Catch A Falling Star and Its Impossible.

1909

British tennis player Fred Perry. Is the first player to win three successive men's singles titles at Wimbledon in 1934; 1935 and 1936.

1897

Frank Capra, American screenwriter, director, producer born in Italy. Winner of three Oscars : 'It Happened One Night'; 'Mr Deeds Goes To Town' and 'You Can't Take It With You'.

1883

Walter Adolph Gropius, German architect and founder of the Bauhaus movement. Becomes Professor of Architecture at Harvard, in the United States of America.

1872

British philosopher and mathematician Bertrand Russell. One of the world's most outstanding philosophers, he is twice imprisoned for his views on peace and disarmament. Wins the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1950.

1868

Nicholas II, the last Tsar of Russia. Is overthrown during the Russian Revolution in 1917 and executed, along with the rest of his family, in 1918.

1995

American film actor Elisha Cook jnr. Best known for his role in the film 'The Maltese Falcon'. Also starred in 'Shane' and 'The Big Sleep'.

1947

George William Forbes, New Zealand Prime Minister 1930-1935.

1911

Austrian composer Gustav Mahler.

1799

French playwright Pierre Beaumarchais. Author of comedies: 'The Marriage Of Figaro' and 'The Barber Of Seville'.