Events on December 18 in history

Gaston de Chasseloup-Laubat sets the first officially recognized land speed record of 39.245 mph (63.159 km/h) in a Jeantaud electric car.

Count Charles-François Gaston Louis Prosper de Chasseloup-Laubat (7 June 1866 – 20 November 1903) was a French aristocrat and race car driver.

20 Apr

Spanish-American War
President William McKinley signed a joint resolution to Congress for declaration of War against Spain, beginning the Spanish-American War.
10 Jun

United States Marine Corps
Spanish-American War: U.S. Marines land on the island of Cuba.
3 Jul

Battle of Santiago de Cuba
A Spanish squadron, led by Pascual Cervera y Topete, is defeated by an American squadron under William T. Sampson in the Battle of Santiago de Cuba.
23 Aug

Heroic Age of Antarctic Exploration
The Southern Cross Expedition, the first British venture of the Heroic Age of Antarctic Exploration, departs from London.
13 Sep

Photographic film
Hannibal Goodwin patents celluloid photographic film.