18 November in history
5 events that happened on 18 November, from 326 to 1918.
326 CE 1,700 years ago
Old St Peter's Basilica is dedicated, by tradition
According to church tradition, Pope Sylvester I dedicated Constantine's basilica over the site of St Peter's tomb on the Vatican Hill. It stood for some 1,200 years before being replaced by the present church.
1307 CE 719 years ago
William Tell shoots the apple, according to legend
Swiss tradition dates to this day William Tell's shot at an apple on his son's head in Altdorf, ordered by the Habsburg bailiff Gessler. Historians regard the tale as legend, but it became a symbol of Swiss liberty.
1477 CE 549 years ago
Caxton completes the first dated book printed in England
At Westminster, William Caxton finished printing The Dictes or Sayengis of the Philosophres, the first book printed in England to carry a date. Printing in English helped standardise the language.
✦ Anniversary of the day
1626 CE 400 years ago
Pope Urban VIII consecrates the new St Peter's Basilica
Exactly 1,300 years after the traditional dedication of the first basilica, Urban VIII consecrated the new St Peter's. Its design involved Bramante, Michelangelo and Maderno over 120 years.
1918 CE 108 years ago
Latvia proclaims its independence
The People's Council in Riga declared an independent Latvian state. After a war of independence it remained free until Soviet occupation in 1940, regaining independence in 1991.
