Today in History, 6/18

618: Li Yuan is crowned as the first Tang emperor of China, starting a dynasty that would last for three centuries. Hey, Li Yuan's Grace is a great little charm in Titan Quest!
1778: During the American Revolution, the British abandon Philadelphia.
1812: Congress declares war on the United Kingdom, kicking off the War of 1812.
1815: Napoleon loses the Battle of Waterloo and is forced to abdicate the French throne for the second and final time.1873: Susan B. Anthony is fined $100 for attempting to vote in the 1872 presidential election.1900: The Empress Dowager Longyu of China orders that all foreigners and their families be killed.1915: Red Adair, oil well fire fighter, is born.1923: Checker Cab puts its first taxi on the streets.1940: Winston Churchill gives his "Finest Hour" speech.

1942: Roger Ebert is born. Here he is with Siskel reviewing the classic Bachelor Party.

1942: Sir Paul McCartney is born.

1945: Nazi propagandist William Joyce, aka Lord Haw-Haw is charged with treason.
1952: Isabella Rossellini is born.

1952: Carol Kane is born. Here she is as the Ghost of Christmas Present in Scrooged.


Today in History elements mostly cribbed from The History Channel, Wikipedia, The New York Times, The Jewish World Review, The Writer's Almanac and anything else I can dig up.