October 18 Anniversaries: History & Events in Argentina & Worldwide

In the anniversaries of October 18 These events that occurred on a day like today in Argentina and the world stand out:

1908. Leopold II loses the Congo

It is established that the Congo ceases to be a private property of King Leopold II of Belgium to move to a Belgian colony administered by a governor. The king cedes the Congo following international complaints about brutality towards native Africans. The situation improves for the Congolese, who will be a colony until their independence in 1960.

1926. Nace Klaus Kinski

Born in Danzig Klaus Kinski. The German actor maintained a professional love-hate relationship with Werner Herzog, under whose orders he filmed films such as Aguirre, the wrath of God y Fitzcarraldo. Father of actress Natassja Kinski, died in 1991 in the United States.

1931. Edison dies

Thomas Alva Edison dies in West Orange, New Jersey, at age 84. As an inventor, He achieved fame with the creation of the phonograph and with the development of direct currentwhich allowed access to electric light at the end of the 19th century.

1947. The birth of Antonio Tarragó Ros

One of the greatest exponents of chamamé was born in Rosario: Antonio Tarragó Ros. Son of Tarragó Ros, one of the main disseminators of coastal music, he is the author of classics such as “María va” and “Canción para Carito”. He has an extensive discography and He is one of the references of folklore in Argentina.

1956. Nace Martina Navratilova

Born in Prague Martina Navratilovaone of the greatest tennis players in history. He won all the Grand Slam tournaments, not only in singles, but also in doubles and mixed doubles. In singles, she won the Australian Open three times, the US Open four times and was a two-time Roland Garros champion, while she won the trophy at Wimbledon nine times. Her last match as a professional was against Gabriela Sabatini, in the 1994 Masters, which the Argentine won..

1961. The birth of Wynton Marsalis

One of the greatest jazz trumpeters of all time is born in New Orleans: Wynton Marsalis. With a very extensive discography behind him, he also ventured into the classical repertoire. For his oratory Blood on the Fields received the Pulitzer Prize in 1997.

1968. Bob Beamon’s record at the Mexico Games

The American athlete Bon Beamon achieves one of the most impressive records in history. Get a record of 8.90 meters in the long jump in the final of the Olympic Games in Mexico and wins the gold medal. Beamon, 22 years old, exceeds the previous mark by 55 centimeters. The record was recently broken by Mike Powell at the 1991 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, with 8.95.. Beamon’s mark still stands as an Olympic record.

1977. The fire of the Argentine Theater

A fire completely destroys the Argentine Theater in La Platathe main Argentine lyrical hall after Columbus. The accident, which is suspected intentional, It was caused by a short circuit during a ballet rehearsal.. The dictatorship called for a competition for a new theater in 1980. It was only inaugurated in October 1999.

2003. Goodbye to Vázquez Montalbán

The Spanish writer Manuez Vázquez Montalbán dies of cardiac arrest at Bangkok airport. He was 64 years old. Born in Barcelona, he was one of the most prolific authors in the Spanish language. He cultivated all genres and He achieved recognition with the series of novels starring the Galician detective Pepe Carvalhowhich he presented in society in Yo mate to Kennedy (1972). Vázquez Montalbán returned to Carvalho in titles such as The loneliness of the manager, The South Seas y Murder in the Central Committee. In 1995 he received the National Award in Spain. Carlos Zanón continued the Carvalho saga after the death of its creator.

2019. The protests in Chile

Protests begin in Chile over the increase in subway fares. As the days go by, the complaints multiply while the government of Sebastián Piñera opts for repression. Carabineros point their weapons at the faces of the protesters and many lose one or both eyes. The protest calls into question the prevailing model since the Pinochet dictatorship: broad swathes demand the end of private retirement and changes in the education and health systems. The right-wing government gives in and calls for a referendum for a reform of the Constitution that sanctioned the dictatorship in 1980. On October 25, 2020 wins the Yes to the reform and in May 2021 they are elected constituents. The new constitutional text is rejected in a referendum in September 2022.

Furthermore, it is the World Menopause Day and the World Nature Protection Day.