On May 18, 1974, India’s first successful nuclear test, known as ‘Smiling Buddha,’ was conducted at the Pokhran test range in Rajasthan. This event catapulted India into the league of nuclear powers, becoming the sixth nation to possess such capabilities. The test, led by Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, involved a team of 75 scientists and engineers under the guidance of esteemed figures like Raja Ramanna, P.K. Iyengar, and Homi Sethna.
Mount St. Helens, located in Washington state, erupted catastrophically on May 18, 1980, following a magnitude 5.1 earthquake. The eruption, one of the most influential volcanic events in North American history, caused widespread devastation and loss of life.
Karol Józef Wojtyła, who would later ascend to become Pope John Paul II, was born on May 18, 1920, in Wadowice, Poland. As a prominent religious leader, he played a pivotal role in the collapse of communism in Eastern Europe.
The Selective Service Act, passed by the U.S. Congress during World War I on May 18, 1917, authorized the federal government to raise a national army through conscription.
Several notable individuals celebrate their birthdays on May 18. Sonalee Kulkarni, an Indian actress known for her work in Marathi and Hindi cinema, turns 36. Ali Zafar, a Pakistani actor, singer, and songwriter who has made his mark in Bollywood, turns 44. American singer-songwriter Jack Johnson, known for his acoustic pop and soft rock songs, as well as his environmental activism, turns 48. Celebrated Hong Kong actor Chow Yun-Fat, renowned for his roles in films like ‘Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon’ and ‘The Killer,’ turns 68. George Strait, an iconic American country music singer, songwriter, actor, and producer, often hailed as the ‘King of Country,’ turns 71.