Birthdays & Historical Events – August 18

1590

1590

John White returns to the Roanoke Colony to find it completely deserted.

John White, the governor of the Roanoke Colony, returns from a supply trip to England and finds his settlement deserted. He discovered no signs of a struggle or violence. The only clue he found was the word "CROATOAN" carved into a post.

August 18, 1590

1840

1840

The American Society of Dental Surgeons is founded.

The American Society of Dental Surgeons is founded. The organization was the first national dental organization in the U.S. to set professional standards and advance dental education.

August 18, 1840

1868

1868

French astronomer Pierre Janssen discovers helium.

French astronomer Pierre Janssen discovers helium while viewing a solar eclipse.

August 18, 1868

1872

1872

Montgomery Wards issues the first mail-order catalog.

Aaron Montgomery Ward of Montgomery Wards issues the first mail-order catalog. The catalog was printed as a single 8x12-inch sheet of paper and featured 163 products with ordering instructions. The catalog was intended to serve rural and farming communities by cutting out middlemen.

August 18, 1872

1919

1919

The Anti-Cigarette League of America forms in Chicago, Illinois.

The Anti-Cigarette League of America forms in Chicago, Illinois. Created by Lucy Page Gaston, the organization campaigned against tobacco use by youth. the movement used the slogan "A Smokeless America by 1925" before losing momentum after World War I.

August 18, 1919

1956

1956

Hound Dog and Don't Be Cruel reach #1 in the charts.

Elvis Presley's Hound Dog and Don't Be Cruel reach #1 in the charts. Both hits spent a total of 11 weeks on the charts and sold over 4 million copies by the end of the year. By 1961, copies sold surpassed 6 million.

August 18, 1956

1963

1963

The first Black student graduates from the University of Mississippi.

James Meredith becomes the first Black student to graduate from the University of Mississippi. President John F. Kennedy sent U.S. Marshals enforce the law and protect him during his time at the University. He earned a bachelor's degree in political science.

August 18, 1963

1988

1988

The FDA approves Minoxidil as a hair loss treatment.

The FDA approves Minoxidil as a hair loss treatment. The product was specifically designed to treat androgenetic alopecia (pattern baldness) in men and women. It was first approved as a treatment for men in 1988, with approval for women years following.

August 18, 1988