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Today in History: July 18
1789
Robespierre, a deputy from Arras, France, decides to back the French Revolution.

1812
Great Britain signs the Treaty of Orebro, making peace with Russia and Sweden.

1830
Uruguay adopts a liberal constitution.

1861
Union and Confederate troops skirmish at Blackburn's Ford, Virginia, in a prelude to the Battle of Bull Run.

1872
The Ballot Act is passed in Great Britain, providing for secret election ballots.

1877
Inventor Thomas Edison records the human voice for the first time.

1935
Ethiopian King Haile Selassie urges his countrymen to fight to the last man against the invading Italian army.

1936
General Francisco Franco of Spain revolts against the Republican government, starting the Spanish Civil War.

1942
The German Me-262, the first jet-propelled aircraft to fly in combat, makes its first flight.

1971
New Zealand and Australia announce they will pull their troops out of Vietnam.

1994
In Buenos Aires, a massive car bomb kills 96 people.

Today in History: Born on July 18
1811
William Makepeace Thackeray, English novelist and satirist.

1887
Vidkun Quisling, Norwegian politician and Nazi collaborator during World War II.

1902
Jessamyn West, American author (The Friendly Persuasion).

1906
Clifford Odets, playwright (Waiting for Lefty).

1913
""Red" Skelton, American comedian and actor.

1918
Nelson Mandela, civil rights activist, first black president of South Africa.

1921
John Glenn, Jr., American pilot, astronaut and politician.

1929
Screamin' Jay Hawkins, American blues singer.

1933
Yevgeny Yevtushenko, Russian poet.

1939
Hunter S. Thompson, journalist.

JOTD
In his later years, the Lone Ranger and Tonto were catching up on old times. After awhile the Lone Ranger paused and said “I have some sad news.”
“Tell me, old friend” said the faithful Tonto.

“Well...I recently was diagnosed with Cancer”

“Bad spirits,” replied his old companion.

The Lone Ranger look off into the distance for a minute. “After all your years of wisdom, what do you think I should do?”

“Chemo, sabe”