September 18

On September 18, 1837, Charles Lewis Tiffany and John B. Young opened Tiffany & Young in New York City, billing it as a 'stationery and fancy goods emporium.' Located on Broadway, the shop offered luxury writing materials, jewelry, and decorative items. Charles Tiffany's keen eye for quality and design quickly attracted affluent clientele. Over time, the firm shifted its focus toward exquisite jewelry, rebranding as Tiffany & Co. in 1853. The company introduced the blue box and established itself as an icon of American luxury. Tiffany's innovations in gem cutting and design set new standards in the jewelry industry. Today, Tiffany & Co. remains synonymous with elegance, craftsmanship, and timeless style.

On September 18, 1838, Richard Cobden and John Bright launched the Anti-Corn Law League in Manchester, England. The organization aimed to repeal the Corn Laws, which imposed heavy duties on imported grain and kept food prices high. Employing mass meetings, pamphleteering, and petition drives, the League pioneered modern political advocacy. Its relentless campaign influenced public opinion and pressured Members of Parliament to consider free trade principles. By highlighting the social and economic harm caused by protectionist policies, the League united industrialists and workers alike. Its success in the 1846 repeal of the Corn Laws marked a triumph for liberal economic thought. The Anti-Corn Law League is remembered as a seminal force in the history of British political reform and free trade.

On September 18, 1873, the prominent U.S. banking firm Jay Cooke & Company declared bankruptcy after failing to sell railroad bonds. The collapse of one of America’s leading financial houses set off a chain reaction on Wall Street, leading to bank runs and market crashes. This event marked the onset of the Panic of 1873, a deep economic depression that lasted several years. Industries from railroads to manufacturing suffered severe contractions, and unemployment soared. The crisis reshaped American financial regulation and underscored the dangers of speculative finance. It remains a classic example of how a single firm’s failure can destabilize global markets.

Established on September 18, 1882, the Pacific Stock Exchange provided a centralized marketplace for trading stocks and bonds on the U.S. West Coast. Its creation reflected the rapid economic growth of California following the Gold Rush and the expansion of transcontinental railroads. The exchange facilitated capital raising for mining, agriculture, and emerging industries in the region. Over the decades, it became a vital component of American financial markets, listing both local and national companies. In 2005, it merged with NYSE Arca, but its legacy endures in the history of modern trading platforms. The opening of the PSE highlights the importance of regional exchanges in shaping global finance.

Originally established as United Independent Broadcasters and then acquired by the Columbia Phonograph Company, CBS broadcast its first signal from New York City. The launch connected a network of affiliate stations, offering news, music, and serialized drama to listeners nationwide. Under the visionary leadership of William S. Paley, the network quickly expanded to become one of America’s major radio outlets. CBS pioneered national news coverage and popular entertainment, shaping American culture in the decades to follow. The network’s establishment marked a turning point in mass communication and laid the foundation for future television ventures.