Important Events From This day in History – 18 April

Today in History

• 1956 Rainier III marries Grace Kelly

  The wedding of the Prince of Monaco and the glamorous American actress was broadcast around the world, enthralling the people of war-torn Europe.

• 1951 The European Coal and Steel Community, a precursor of the European Union, is established

  The Treaty of Paris was signed by France, West Germany, Italy, Belgium, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands.

• 1949 Ireland becomes an independent republic

  Six counties in the island’s north remained in the Commonwealth, resulting in a decades-long ethnic-nationalist conflict known as The Troubles.

• 1906 A massive earthquake destroys San Francisco

  The disaster killed approximately 3000 people. The quake and subsequent fires destroyed more than 80% of the city.

• 1506 Construction of the current St. Peter’s Basilica begins

  St. Peter’s in Vatican City is one of the world’s most important Catholic sites.