On This Day: September 18

September 18 marks a diverse array of historical milestones, ranging from the foundations of national capitals to the establishment of international organizations and scientific breakthroughs. Below are several notable events that occurred on this day throughout history.

1793 — George Washington Lays the Capitol Cornerstone

President George Washington performed the ceremonial laying of the cornerstone for the United States Capitol building in Washington, D.C. This event marked the beginning of the construction of one of the most iconic symbols of American democracy.

1872 — Oscar II Becomes King of Norway and Sweden

Oscar II ascended to the thrones of Norway and Sweden following the death of his brother, King Charles XV. His reign lasted until 1907 and was a period of significant political change for the union.

1931 — The Mukden Incident

Japanese troops seized the city of Mukden in Manchuria, an event that served as a pretext for the Japanese invasion of the region. This incident is widely regarded as a major precursor to the broader conflicts in East Asia leading up to World War II.

1934 — USSR Joins the League of Nations

The Soviet Union officially joined the League of Nations, an international organization founded after World War I to maintain world peace. The USSR's membership was a significant, though temporary, shift in its diplomatic relations with the global community.

1947 — The Central Intelligence Agency is Established

Following its initial inception by President Harry S. Truman in July, the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) was officially established as a permanent fixture of the United States government to coordinate intelligence activities.

1948 — Ralph Bunche Confirmed as UN Mediator

Ralph Bunche was confirmed as the acting United Nations mediator in Palestine. His work in this role was of great international significance, eventually leading to his recognition as a key figure in diplomatic conflict resolution.

1959 — Vanguard 3 Launched into Orbit

The Vanguard 3 satellite was successfully launched into Earth's orbit by a rocket built by the Glenn L. Martin Company, which is now known as Lockheed-Martin. The mission provided valuable data on the Earth's magnetic field and radiation environment.

1973 — Jimmy Carter Files UFO Report

Future U.S. President Jimmy Carter filed an official report with the International UFO Bureau regarding an unidentified flying object he claimed to have witnessed in October 1969 while in Leary, Georgia.

1974 — Doris Day Wins Malpractice Lawsuit

Actress Doris Day won a landmark $22.8 million malpractice lawsuit against her former lawyer. The case drew significant public attention due to the scale of the judgment and the celebrity status of the plaintiff.

1981 — West Edmonton Mall Sets Parking Record

The 20,000-car parking lot at the West Edmonton Mall in Canada was officially recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records as the largest parking lot in the world at that time.

1987 — Cesium-137 Poisoning in Brazil

Following the removal of a radioactive substance from an abandoned cancer-therapy machine in Goiânia, Brazil, hundreds of people were accidentally exposed to radiation. The event highlighted the severe dangers associated with the improper disposal of medical radioactive materials.

1998 — Founding of ICANN

The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) was founded to manage the Domain Name System (DNS) on the internet. Initially under the oversight of the U.S. Department of Commerce, it later transitioned to an independent, non-profit organization.