On this day

18 April in history.

5 moments from 1506 to 1980: discovery, creativity and courage, each with a source to read more.

5 moments

1938

Superman arrives. A new comic, Action Comics #1, introduced Superman, created by two young friends from Cleveland, Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster. The superhero was born.

Photo: DC Comics photographer / Wikimedia Commons (Public domain)

1506
Work begins on a new St Peter's
The first stone of the new St Peter's Basilica in Rome was laid. Building it took more than a century.
Wikipedia: St. Peter's Basilica
Photo: Alvesgaspar / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)
1881
London's Natural History Museum opens
The grand museum in South Kensington opened, with painted ceilings showing plants from around the world.
Wikipedia: Natural History Museum, London
Photo: Unknown author. / Wikimedia Commons (Public domain)
1946
Jackie Robinson's first game in organised baseball
Playing for the Montreal Royals, Jackie Robinson made his debut in the minor leagues, a year before he broke into the majors.
Wikipedia: Jackie Robinson Wikipedia: Montreal Royals
Photo: Harry Warnecke / Frank Livia / Robert F. Cranston / William Klein / Wikimedia Commons (CC0)
1980
A town's first dance
Elmore City, Oklahoma, which had banned dancing for decades, held its first school prom after students asked for one. The story inspired the film Footloose.
Wikipedia: Elmore City, Oklahoma
Photo: The original uploader was Seth Ilys at English Wikipedia . / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0)

Moments chosen for discovery, creativity and courage. Each one links to a source where you can read more; photos are credited to their owners.