This Day In History

September 18

1759

French Quebec surrendered to the British after the Sept. 13 battle on the Plains of Abraham, the last battle of the French and Indian Wars. French general Montcalm and British general Wolfe died in the fray.

1810

Chile declared its independence from Spain.

1850

Congress passed the Fugitive Slave Act, which required the return of escaped slaves to their owners.

1851

The first edition of The New York Daily Times, which later became The New York Times, was published.

1947

The National Security Act, which unified the Army, Navy, and Air Force, was passed.

1961

Secretary-General of the UN Dag Hammarskjold was killed in a plane crash in Northern Rhodesia (Zambia).

1970

27-year-old rock star, Jimi Hendrix, died in London.

1999

Sammy Sosa became the first player in major league baseball history to hit 60 homers in two seasons.