On This Day for 4/18 - Albert Einstein dies, Zimbabwe achieves its independence, and more

Don't miss an issue of On This Day! Simply add [customerservice@eb.com]( to your address book. On This Day April 18 Discover the Fastest Route to Britannica - [EB.com]( Biography of the Day [Albert Einstein]( [Albert Einstein]( One of the most creative intellects in human history was [Albert Einstein]( who died in Princeton, New Jersey, this day in 1955 and whose advanced theories of [relativity]( and [gravitation]( revolutionized science and philosophy. Who else was born today? Find out with the newest version of [our best-selling software! >>]( On This Day [artist?s rendition of Revere?s famous midnight ride…]( 1775: The midnight ride of Paul Revere [Paul Revere]( a renowned silversmith, is better remembered as a folk hero of the [American Revolution]( who this night in 1775 made a dramatic ride on horseback to warn [Boston]( residents of an imminent British attack. Explore more key moments in history for just $39.95 [Learn more >>]( [Sign up now]( for our monthly newsletter, showcasing articles hand-picked by our editors! More Events On This Day 2012: [Dick Clark, 1996.]( television personality and businessman [Dick Clark]( who was the longtime host of American Bandstand (1957–87), died in California.. 1999: Canadian [ice hockey]( player [Wayne Gretzky]( considered one of the game's greatest players, skated in his last [NHL]( game. 1980: [Zimbabwe]( achieved its independence from the [United Kingdom](. 1945: [Ernie Pyle.]( the U.S. invasion of the Japanese island of [Okinawa]( in [World War II]( American war correspondent [Ernie Pyle]( was killed on nearby Ie Island by Japanese gunfire. 1906: [Crowds watching the fires set off by the earthquake in San Francisco in 1906, photo by Arnold …]( Francisco]( Francisco-California?source=ONTHISDAY) was rocked by an [earthquake]( caused by slippage along the [San Andreas Fault](. 1857: [Clarence Darrow, 1924.]( defense lawyer, public speaker, debater, and writer [Clarence Darrow]( whose high-profile court appearances was the [Scopes Trial]( in which he defended a Tennessee high-school teacher who had broken a state law by presenting the Darwinian theory of [evolution]( born. 1506: [St. Peter's Basilica]( [Julius II]( laid the first stone of the new [St. Peter's Basilica]( in [Vatican City](. A Great Gift Idea from The Britannica Store [1768 Encyclopaedia Britannica Replica Set]( The handsome three-volume reproduction is so beautifully executed that it's almost indistinguishable from the 1768 original, right down to the natural age spots and watermarks on the pages. A must-have for collectors of history or vintage books, the set lends an unmistakable air of prestige to any home or office. [Get yours today]( Our Best-Selling Software! the world's most trusted and authoritative information for [only $39.95](. Britannica on Facebook a fan]( on Facebook and get updated Britannica content in your news feed! Britannica on Twitter @Britannica]( and enjoy daily tweets relating to the news stories of the day! [Home]( [Advocacy for Animals]( [Newsletters]( [Feedback]( [Help]( Please note that if you do not open or click on any On This Day email during any consecutive 30-day period, we reserve the right to remove your address from the active mailing list. This policy does not apply to RSS feeds. [Delicious]( Was this message forwarded to you? [Click here]( and we'll start sending you the On This Day newsletters. This message has been sent to {EMAIL}. To unsubscribe [click here](. To unsubscribe by postal mail, send your request to: Encyclopaedia Britannica 325 N. LaSalle St. - Suite 200 Chicago, IL 60654 US ATTN: Customer Service - On This Day © 2018 Encyclopaedia Britannica, Inc. [Privacy Policy]( — [Help](