What Happened on December 18?

December 18 is International Migrants Day — honoring people who build new lives across borders — on the same date the 13th Amendment was adopted in 1865, The Nutcracker premiered in 1892, and Project SCORE launched the first communications satellite in 1958.

• 1865 — The 13th Amendment is formally adopted, abolishing slavery in the U.S.

  On December 18, 1865, Secretary of State William Seward proclaimed the 13th Amendment part of the Constitution — forever banning slavery nationwide. Read the full story →

• 1892 — Tchaikovsky's The Nutcracker premieres in St. Petersburg

  On December 18, 1892, audiences at the Mariinsky Theatre first saw The Nutcracker — the ballet of dancing sweets that now defines many winter holidays. Read the full story →

• 1916 — The Battle of Verdun ends after ten months of World War I fighting

  On December 18, 1916, one of World War I's longest battles finally wound down near Verdun, France — after nearly a year of grinding combat. Read the full story →

• 1932 — The Bears win the NFL's first playoff game — indoors at Chicago Stadium

  On December 18, 1932, the Chicago Bears beat the Portsmouth Spartans 9–0 in the NFL's first playoff — played indoors because of blizzard snow. Read the full story →

• 1956 — Japan joins the United Nations

  On December 18, 1956, Japan became a United Nations member — rejoining the community of nations a decade after World War II. Read the full story →

Famous birthdays

Steven Spielberg (1946) · Keith Richards (1943) · Christina Aguilera (1980) · Ty Cobb (1886–1961)

Days & observances

International Migrants Day · Arabic Language Day · National Roast Suckling Pig Day · Bake Cookies Day