On July 18, 1323, Thomas Aquinas — one of the most influential Christian philosophers and theologians in history — was officially canonized as a saint by Pope John XXII in Avignon, France. Though he had died nearly 50 years earlier, Aquinas’ legacy had only grown stronger, especially within the Church.

Born in 1225 in Roccasecca, Italy, Aquinas became a Dominican friar and studied under Albertus Magnus. He fused classical philosophy, particularly the works of Aristotle, with Christian theology — a massive intellectual leap at the time. His most famous work, the Summa Theologica, is still studied today as one of the most important texts in Catholic thought.

Despite his brilliance, not everyone in the Church initially embraced Aquinas’ ideas. Some of his writings were even condemned shortly after his death. But as time passed, his arguments on natural law, reason, and the nature of God gained wide respect, especially among the Scholastics. By the early 1300s, the Church had fully come around to his teachings.

So on July 18, 1323, the Church officially declared Thomas Aquinas a saint, cementing his role not just as a brilliant thinker, but as someone whose faith and intellect shaped Catholic doctrine for centuries.

On July 18, 1925, Adolf Hitler released the first volume of his autobiographical manifesto, Mein Kampf ("My Struggle"). He wrote most of it while imprisoned in Landsberg Prison after a failed coup — the Beer Hall Putsch of 1923 — where he tried to overthrow the Weimar government in Munich.

The book outlined Hitler’s personal ideology, including his anti-Semitic, anti-communist, and ultra-nationalist beliefs. He also laid out his vision for a future Germany, arguing that the Treaty of Versailles had humiliated the nation and that the country needed to be “reborn” through racial purity and expansion — especially toward Eastern Europe.

It didn’t sell well at first, but once Hitler rose to power in the 1930s, Mein Kampf became required reading for loyal Nazis. By the time World War II began, millions of copies had been printed, often handed out at weddings, graduations, or as gifts from the state — turning it into a twisted tool of indoctrination.

So on July 18, 1925, Hitler didn’t just release a book — he released the blueprint for one of history’s darkest regimes. The ideas in Mein Kampf weren’t just hateful ramblings; they were the foundation for genocide and war, written long before the world realized how real it would become.

Anti Comet Pill☄️
In 1910, as Earth prepared to pass through the tail of Halley’s Comet, panic spread due to sensationalist reports that the comet contained toxic cyanogen gas. Some people bought gas masks, while others turned to scam products like “anti-comet pills” sold by patent medicine dealers. Despite reassurances from astronomers like Camille Flammarion, public fear remained high until the comet passed without incident on May 18.

First Selfie Death🤳
An old story from 1914, claims Marie Borel, a young Frenchwoman, attempted to take a self-portrait using a mirror and a hunting rifle. While posing, she accidentally triggered the loaded weapon, becoming one of the first documented cases of death during a self-photograph attempt. Though rare at the time, the incident foreshadowed the modern phenomenon of selfie-related accidents.

The Great Emu War⚔️
In 1932, after emus began devastating wheat farms in Western Australia, the government launched a military campaign using Lewis machine guns mounted on trucks. Known as the Great Emu War, it was led by Major G.P.W. Meredith. The emus’ speed and erratic movement made them difficult targets, and the operation was eventually abandoned after expending over 10,000 rounds with little success. The birds won.

Mecca’s Coffee Ban🕋
In the 16th century, officials in Mecca issued a ban on coffee, fearing that gatherings in coffeehouses were breeding grounds for political dissent and unorthodox religious discussion. The drink’s stimulant effects and popularity among Sufi mystics and scholars made authorities wary. Although the ban was later lifted, similar restrictions appeared in Cairo, Constantinople, and other Islamic cities during the same era.

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