June 18th

Coronation of the Chinese governor Li Yuan as Emperor Gaozu of Tang, the new Emperor of China, initiating three centuries of the Tang Dynasty's rule over China.

Sally Ride became the first American woman in space.

Leonid Brezhnev and Jimmy Carter sign SALT II. The second “Strategic Arms Limitation Talks” (SALT) agreement was a ground-breaking arms reduction treaty between the Soviet Union and the United States.

118 die in the Staines Air Disaster. The Hawker Siddeley Trident aircraft entered a deep stall and plummeted to the ground shortly after takeoff from London Heathrow Airport.

The United Nations Commission on Human Rights adopted its International Declaration of Human Rights. The General Assembly would give it final approval on Dec. 10, 1948.

Winston Churchill's "this was their finest hour" speech urging perseverance during Battle of Britain delivered to British House of Commons.

Aviator Amelia Earhart became the first woman to fly across the Atlantic Ocean. She completed the flight from Newfoundland to Wales in about 21 hours.

Suffragist Susan B. Anthony was fined $100 for attempting to vote in the 1872 presidential election.

Battle of Waterloo; Napoleon and France defeated by British forces under Wellington and Prussian troops under Blucher.

War of 1812 begins as US declares war against Britain.