Historical milestones observed on September 18

September 18 marks several significant historical milestones across various eras and regions. Notable events include the 1810 declaration of independence for Chile from Spain and the 1834 designation of Athens as the capital of the Greek state.

In the context of World War II, the date is associated with Mussolini’s call for Italians to turn against the Allies in 1943, as well as the massacre of 9,600 Italians by Nazi forces in Cephalonia and the deaths of approximately 260,000 Jews at the Sobibor concentration camp in Poland.

Other historical occurrences include the laying of the Capitol cornerstone by George Washington in 1793, the 1812 fire in Moscow that destroyed much of the city, the 1851 debut of the New York Times, and the 1964 royal wedding of King Constantine of Greece and Princess Anne-Marie of Denmark in Athens.