May 18 in History: Dracula Is Published, Tulip Time Begins, and Mount St. Helens Erupts

Discover what happened on May 18 in history, along with notable events that shaped literature, Michigan history, and modern technology.

What Happened on May 18 in History?

Important events on this day include the publication of Dracula, the first Tulip Time Festival in Holland, Michigan, and the eruption of Mount St. Helens.

MAY 18 – TODAY IN HISTORY:

1652 – In Rhode Island, a law was passed that made slavery illegal in North America. It was the first law of its kind.

1798 – The first Secretary of the U.S. Navy was appointed. He was Benjamin Stoddert.

1846 – Michigan outlawed the Death Penalty.

1897 – A novel by Irish author Bram Stoker, called “Dracula”, was published.

1912 – The Detroit Tigers staged baseball’s first strike to protest the suspension of their star, Ty Cobb, who had slugged a fan. Faced with a $100 per day fine, the team ended the strike after missing one game and rescheduling another.

1917 – The U.S. Congress passed the Selective Service act, which called up soldiers to fight in World War I.

1927 – In Bath, MI, Andrew Kehoe, a farmer and local school board member who was angry over losing an election for town clerk and under notice for foreclosure, killed his wife, detonated bombs in his house and farm buildings, and at the same time set off a bomb in the consolidated school. He drove to the school in a truck rigged with more explosives, which he detonated next to the school superintendent. In all, 44 people were killed, 38 of them children, and himself, in the worst school murders in U.S. history. Only half of the 1,000 pounds of explosives set under the school went off, greatly lowering the death toll. Thirty-eight of the 314 students, three teachers, the superintendent, the postmaster, and a local farmer assisting at the scene were killed. Most of the dead were students from second to sixth grade. Fifty-eight others were injured..

1929 – Holland, MI held its first Tulip Time Festival.

1934 – Congress approved an act, known as the “Lindberg Act,” that called for the death penalty in interstate kidnapping cases.

1953 – The first woman to fly faster than the speed of sound, Jacqueline Cochran, piloted an F-86 Sabrejet over California at an average speed of 652.337 miles-per-hour.

1968 – Tiny Tim’s “Tiptoe through the Tulips” was released. It was originally a number one hit for Nick Lucas in 1929.

1969 – Apollo 10 was launched.

1980 – The Mount St. Helens volcano in Washington state erupted, leaving 57 people dead or missing. It caused $3 billion in damages.

1983 – The Senate revised immigration laws and gave millions of immigrants without papers legal status under an amnesty program.

1986 – The Firearm Owners Protection Act was signed into law by President Ronald Reagan.

1995 – Shawn Nelson stole a tank from a National Guard Armory in San Diego, CA, destroying cars and other property. He was shot to death by police after immobilizing the tank.

1998 – The TV show “Murphy Brown” aired its final episode after 10 years on the air. The show was brought back to TV in 2018.

1998 – The U.S. federal government and 20 states filed a sweeping antitrust case against Microsoft Corp., saying the computer software company had a “choke hold” on competitors which denied consumer choices by controlling 90% of the software market.

2001 – The DreamWorks animated feature film, “Shrek”, premiered in theaters.

2000 – In a malpractice lawsuit, Dana Carvey testified that, in 1998, a surgeon performed angioplasty on the wrong artery. The doctor blames the mistake on the comedian’s “unusual anatomy.”

2002 – Will Ferrell said goodbye to TV’s “Saturday Night Live” on the show’s season finale.

2004 – Martha Stewart pulled the plug on her syndicated series, “Martha Stewart Living”, until “my personal legal situation is resolved.”

2004 – The “Hee Haw Collection” was released. It was the first time that full shows of TV’s “Hee Haw” were released on VHS and DVD

2005 – A second photo from the Hubble Space Telescope confirmed that Pluto has two additional moons, Nix and Hydra.

2007 – TV’s “That ’70s Show” aired their 200th episode and series finale after eight seasons.

2012 – Facebook Inc. held its initial public offering and began trading on the NASDAQ. The company was valued at $104 billion making it the largest valuation for a newly listed public company.

CELEBRITY BIRTHDAYS ON MAY 18:

Janet Fish – 88 years old (1938) – Painter and academic

Gail Strickland – 81 years old (1945) – Actress

Reggie Jackson – 80 years old (1946) – Baseball player and sportscaster

Tom Udall – 78 years old (1948) – Lawyer and politician, 28th New Mexico Attorney General , United States Senator from New Mexico

Mark Mothersbaugh – 76 years old (1950) – Singer-songwriter and painter

Jim Sundberg – 75 years old (1951) – Baseball player and sportscaster

Diane Duane – 74 years old (1952) – Author and screenwriter

George Strait – 74 years old (1952) – Singer, guitarist and producer

Jeana Yeager – 74 years old (1952) – Pilot

Sam Vincent – 63 years old (1963) – Basketball player and coach

Michael Tait – 60 years old (1966) – Singer-songwriter and producer

Nancy Juvonen – 59 years old (1967) – Screenwriter and producer, co-founded Flower Films

Martika – 57 years old (1969) – Singer-songwriter, producer, and actress

Tina Fey – 56 years old (1970) – Actress, producer, and screenwriter

Billy Howerdel – 56 years old (1970) – Guitarist, songwriter, and producer

Brad Friedel – 55 years old (1971) – International soccer player, manager and sportscaster

Donyell Marshall – 53 years old (1973) – Basketball player and coach

Nelson Figueroa – 52 years old (1974) – Baseball player and sportscaster

Jack Johnson – 51 years old (1975) – Singer-songwriter and guitarist

Ron Mercer – 50 years old (1976) – Basketball player

Marcus Giles – 48 years old (1978) – Baseball player

Reggie Evans – 46 years old (1980) – Basketball player

Vince Young – 43 years old (1983) – Football player

Polina Edmunds – 28 years old (1998) – Figure skater

Emma Navarro – 25 years old (2001) – Tennis player

Travis Hunter – 23 years old (2003) – Football player

Hala Finley – 17 years old (2009) – Actress

DAYS OF THE YEAR FOR MAY 18:

• Supply Chain Professionals Day: Discover Supply Chain Professionals Day, honoring the experts who keep goods moving worldwide and offering creative ways to thank these vital logistics heroes.
• National Speech and Language Pathologist (SLP) Appreciation Day: Honor Speech and Language Pathologists who support communication, swallowing, and recovery. Learn their vital roles and meaningful ways to show appreciation.
• I Love Reese’s Day: Celebrate I Love Reese’s Day by indulging in Reese’s treats, sharing candy with loved ones, getting creative with recipes, and honoring this iconic chocolate snack.
• Victoria Day: Discover the history and traditions of Victoria Day, honoring Queen Victoria and Canada’s monarchy with parades, fireworks, outdoor fun, and cultural festivities.
• National HIV Vaccine Awareness Day: National HIV Vaccine Awareness Day honors research, advocacy, and community action to support HIV vaccine development, reduce stigma, and inspire lasting change.
• National Cheese Soufflé Day: Celebrate National Cheese Soufflé Day by savoring this classic French dish, exploring its rich history, and discovering tips to master the perfect airy bake.
• Global Porphyria Day: Discover Global Porphyria Day, a unifying day that raises awareness, shares real patient stories, and inspires support for this rare, often misunderstood illness.
• National No Dirty Dishes Day: Celebrate National No Dirty Dishes Day by skipping the sink, using disposable plates, eating finger foods, or dining out and simply enjoying a mess‑free meal.
• Mother Whistler Day: Celebrate Mother Whistler Day by honoring joyful whistlers, lifting moods with simple tunes, hosting fun contests, and exploring whistling traditions worldwide.
• National Visit Your Relatives Day: Celebrate National Visit Your Relatives Day by reconnecting in person, strengthening family bonds, sharing memories, and supporting loved ones of every generation.
• International Museum Day: Celebrate International Museum Day by exploring museums, discovering world history and culture, and enjoying interactive learning for all ages around the globe.
• Send an Electronic Greeting Card Day: Celebrate Send an Electronic Greeting Card Day by sending creative, personalized e-cards that blend technology and heartfelt messages to surprise and delight others.
• National Vegetarian Week: National Vegetarian Week is a lively celebration that spotlights the vibrant and tasty world of vegetarianism. Organized by the Vegetarian Society, this week-long event is a time to enjoy and explore the many benefits and flavors of a plant-based lifestyle. It aims to inspire people to try new vegetarian dishes...
• Dementia Action Week: Dementia Action Week is a key time of action. It’s time to step up your game on behalf of those who live with the disease. This event means different things while being significant to many different people. But one thing about it is the same -- it should bring us all...
• National Safe Sun Week: National Safe Sun Week is a special time dedicated to educating people about the dangers of too much sun and how to stay safe. Held in the last week of May, right before the Memorial Day holiday, it marks the beginning of summer. This is when folks often start spending...
• Walk to School Week in the UK: Walk to School Week in the UK is a vibrant event encouraging kids to embrace walking as part of their daily routine. This week-long initiative highlights the benefits of walking over driving, making it an engaging and fun experience for children! How to Celebrate Walk to School Week Host a...
• Foster Care Fortnight: Foster Care Fortnight, an annual event in the UK, typically happens in the first two weeks of May. This initiative is driven by The Fostering Network, a leading charity that promotes foster care awareness and recruitment. The event raises awareness about the growing need for foster carers and their vital...
• British Sandwich Week: British Sandwich Week is a lively celebration of one of Britain's most iconic culinary creations: the sandwich. This week, sandwich lovers from all walks of life come together to indulge in the art of sandwich making and tasting. Whether it’s a classic ham and cheese or a gourmet concoction with...
• International Heritage Breeds Week: Support the survival of classic livestock breeds like Oberhasli goats, Wiltshire Wild Horn sheep, and Gloucester Old Spot pigs during Heritage Breeds Week.
• Epilepsy Awareness Week: Epilepsy Awareness Week is a significant event held annually to highlight epilepsy's impact on millions worldwide. Taking place in May, this week-long event aims to inform and engage people in understanding this neurological condition. The goal is to dispel myths and encourage conversations about epilepsy. The purpose of epilepsy is to...
• Be Nice to Nettles Week: Be Nice to Nettles Week is a vibrant annual event that shines a spotlight on the humble nettle plant. Celebrated in mid-May, this period encourages us to appreciate the ecological and health benefits of nettles. How to Celebrate Be Nice to Nettles Week Here are five quirky and playful ways to dive...
• Tracky Dack Day: Tracky Dack Day is a funny name for a serious cause. This annual event, run by TLC for Kids, encourages people to wear their favorite track pants (aka 'tracky dacks'!) to support children in hospitals! The name brings a smile, but the mission is profound. It raises awareness and funds...

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