On this day: August 18
Man Survives After Rope Snaps in 1894 Suicide Attempt
On August 18, 1894, a man attempting to end his life survived when the rope he used broke; contemporary reports describe shock and urgent medical attention rather than immediate fatality.
Fire on London Underground in August 1987 Kills Dozens
On 18 August 1987 a fire on the London Underground killed dozens of people and injured many more. The blaze prompted widespread investigation into safety procedures, emergency response, and tunnel fire risks across the network.
1931 Yangtze Basin Floods Devastate Central China
In the summer of 1931, unprecedented rainfall and swollen rivers overwhelmed the Yangtze basin, submerging vast areas of central China, killing hundreds of thousands, and displacing millions amid widespread crop failure and disease.
August 1987 Underground Fire in London Kills Dozens
A large fire broke out on the London Underground on 18 August 1987, resulting in many deaths and injuries. The blaze prompted major investigations and renewed focus on safety and emergency procedures across the network.
Catastrophic 1931 floods inundate China’s Yangtze basin
Flooding across the Yangtze River basin in August 1931 produced some of the deadliest inundations in modern Chinese history, displacing millions, destroying crops and infrastructure, and triggering widespread famine and disease.
California Wildfires Annihilate Several Small Towns in August 2020
In mid‑August 2020, a series of fast‑moving wildfires in Northern and Central California burned entire communities, destroying homes and infrastructure, prompting mass evacuations and straining firefighting resources amid historic heat and drought.
August 2020 Wildfires Devastate Multiple Northern California Towns
In mid-August 2020, a constellation of fast-moving wildfires driven by extreme heat, dry fuels and strong winds destroyed large portions of several small Northern California communities, forcing mass evacuations and causing widespread damage to homes and infrastructure.