September 18th is the 261st day of the year (262nd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. There are 104 days remaining until the end of the year.

Events

1850 – The United States Congress passed the Fugitive Slave Act, which decreed that all runaway slaves be brought back to their masters.

1879 – The Blackpool Illuminations in the English seaside town of Blackpool were switched on for the first time.

1918 – World War I: The Central Powers’ defeat in the Battle of Dobro Pole played a role in the Bulgarian withdrawal from the war and opened the way for the subsequent liberation of Vardar Macedonia.

1974 – Hurricane Fifi struck Honduras, destroying 182 towns and villages in the first 24 hours, and ultimately causing over 8,000 deaths.

2001 – Five letters containing anthrax spores were mailed to various media outlets in the United States.

Celebrity Birthdays

James Gandolfini would have turned 57

Lance Armstrong turns 47

Jada Pinkett Smith turns 47

James Marsden turns 45

Jason Sudeikis turns 43