SEPTEMBER 18 | Birthdays and Events
Famous Birthdays
People born on September 18
George Read
Died: September 21, 1798 (age 65 years)
A Continental Congressman from Delaware, President of Delaware, and a member of the Federalist Party who signed the Declaration of Independence.
Johnny Mantz
Died: October 25, 1972 (age 54 years)
Known as "Madman," Mantz was an auto racer and winner of the first 500-mile race in NASCAR history.
Frankie Avalon
Teen idol and singer of Venus, Why, and Beauty School Dropout.
Ben Carson
Neurosurgeon who lead a team surgeons in the first-known successful separation of conjoined twins (back of the head).
James Gandolfini
Died: June 19, 2026 (age 64 years)
Actor fondly remembered for his award-winning role as of Tony Soprano in The Sopranos.
Barrett Comiskey
Inventor of electronic Ink, which allowed for better ability to read eBooks.
Historical Events on September 18
Events that occurred on September 18 throughout history
John Harris builds the first spinet piano.
John Harris builds the first spinet piano.
President Washington lays the first cornerstone of the U.S. Capitol.
President George Washington lays the first cornerstone of the U.S. Capitol. The President and Masonic leaders used corn, wine, and oil to consecrate the stone to perform Masonic rituals to mark the landmark event.
Charles Lewis Tiffany and Teddy Young open Tiffany and Young.
Charles Lewis Tiffany and Teddy Young open Tiffany and Young. The store sold stationery, gifts, and fancy goods. The company later changed their name to Tiffany and Company.
Congress passed the Fugitive Slave Law.
Congress passed the Fugitive Slave Law, requiring slaves be returned to their owners. Anyone who helped a runaway or blocked an arrest faced a fine of up to $500
The New-York Daily Times newspaper s published for the first time.
The New-York Daily Times newspaper is published for the first time. The four page paper sold for one-cent. The paper is now known as The New York Times.
The first chiropractic adjustment is given as an alternative medical treatment.
Spiritualist Daniel Palmer gives the first chiropractic adjustment as an alternative medical treatment.
CBS goes on the air.
The Columbia Broadcasting System (CBS) goes on the air. The program was a live musical presentation of The King’s Henchmen.
The CIA officially comes into existence.
The Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) officially comes into existence, eight months after President Harry S. Truman established the office.
The Addams Family premiers.
The Addams Family premiers. The sitcom ran 64 episodes for two seasons between 1964 and 1966.
Joe Kittinger completes the first solo balloon.
Joe Kittinger completes the first solo balloon crossing of the Atlantic, traveling 3,543 miles across over 86 hours.
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