August 18

John White led the Roanoke Colony’s early settlement efforts on present-day North Carolina. He voyaged back to England for supplies, delaying his return by three years. Upon arrival on August 18, 1590, he discovered the fort empty and the settlers vanished. The only clue was the word 'CROATOAN' carved into a post, sparking centuries of mystery. The fate of the ‘Lost Colony’ has inspired countless theories and investigations. This enigmatic event remains one of early America’s most enduring historical puzzles.

Driven by tales of immense wealth and scholarly treasures, Major Gordon Laing embarked on a perilous journey through the Sahara Desert and West African kingdoms. On this day, he finally set eyes on the legendary city of Timbuktu, long considered inaccessible to outsiders. Laing’s arrival offered Europe its first glimpse of a center of Islamic learning and trans-Saharan trade. Tragically, he was murdered shortly after departing the city, and his detailed observations were only published posthumously. His courageous expedition paved the way for subsequent explorers and scholars to better understand West Africa’s cultural and historical heritage.