Events on December 18 in history

Gaston de Chasseloup-Laubat sets the first officially recognized land speed record of 39.245 mph (63.159 km/h) in a Jeantaud electric car.

Count Charles-François Gaston Louis Prosper de Chasseloup-Laubat (7 June 1866 – 20 November 1903) was a French aristocrat and race car driver.

20 Apr

Spanish-American War
President William McKinley signed a joint resolution to Congress for declaration of War against Spain, beginning the Spanish-American War.
10 Jun

United States Marine Corps
Spanish-American War: U.S. Marines land on the island of Cuba.
1 Jul

Battle of San Juan Hill
Spanish-American War: The Battle of San Juan Hill is fought in Santiago de Cuba.
3 Jul

Battle of Santiago de Cuba
A Spanish squadron, led by Pascual Cervera y Topete, is defeated by an American squadron under William T. Sampson in the Battle of Santiago de Cuba.
13 Sep

Photographic film
Hannibal Goodwin patents celluloid photographic film.