February 18

Flora, or Hob in the Well, premiered in Charleston, South Carolina, in 1735 as the first opera ever staged in North America. Written by anonymous authors and set to popular ballad tunes, the production blended humor, music, and dance. Its performance marked the emergence of European high culture in the American colonies. The success of the opera paved the way for future theatrical and musical ventures in colonial society. It remains a landmark in the cultural history of early America.

On February 18, 1885, Mark Twain’s Adventures of Huckleberry Finn was first published in the United States, following its earlier release in the United Kingdom. The novel follows young Huck Finn and his companion Jim, an escaped enslaved man, as they journey down the Mississippi River. Celebrated for its vivid characters, regional dialects, and satirical commentary on society and race, it quickly became a landmark of American literature. Despite initial controversy over its language and themes, the book garnered critical acclaim and public interest. Twain’s work challenged social norms and offered insight into the complexities of freedom and morality. Over time, Adventures of Huckleberry Finn has been recognized as one of the greatest American novels.