1918 – 1920★★★★★
1918 influenza pandemic
An H1N1 influenza pandemic spreads worldwide, killing tens of millions of people, one of the deadliest pandemics in history.
DiseaseDisaster
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Events this year
July 17, 1918★★★★★
Execution of the Romanov family
Former Tsar Nicholas II, his wife, their children and their retainers are shot by the Bolsheviks in Yekaterinburg.
DeathRevolution· Russia
July 18, 1918★★★★★
Birth of Nelson Mandela
Nelson Mandela, anti-apartheid leader and South Africa's first Black president, was born in the village of Mvezo.
Birth· South Africa
Ongoing
1858 – 1947★★★★★
Beginning of the British Raj
After the 1857 rebellion, the Government of India Act transfers rule from the East India Company to the British Crown; the Mughal Empire formally ends.
Politics· India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Myanmar, United Kingdom
November 20, 1910 – 1920★★★★★
Mexican Revolution
Francisco Madero calls for revolt against Porfirio Díaz, launching a decade-long revolution involving figures such as Pancho Villa and Emiliano Zapata.
RevolutionWar· Mexico
July 28, 1914 – November 11, 1918★★★★★
World War I
Austria-Hungary declares war on Serbia, drawing Europe's powers into a global war that lasts until the armistice of 11 November 1918.
War· Austria, Serbia, Germany, France, United Kingdom, Russia
June 1916 – 1918★★★★★
The Arab Revolt
With British backing, Sharif Hussein of Mecca launches an uprising against the Ottoman Empire seeking Arab independence.
WarRevolution· Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Syria
1917 – 1922★★★★★
Russian Civil War
The Bolshevik Red Army fights the White movement and other forces after the October Revolution; the Bolsheviks emerge victorious.
WarRevolution· Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, Georgia, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Kazakhstan