1421day.year
St Elizabeth's flood: A dike in the Grote Hollandse Waard in the Netherlands breaks, killing about 10,000 people.
A catastrophic dike failure in the Grote Hollandse Waard unleashed St Elizabeth’s flood, drowning thousands and reshaping the Dutch landscape.
On November 18, 1421, a severe winter storm drove powerful tides that breached the dikes protecting the Grote Hollandse Waard in the County of Holland. The ensuing floodwaters inundated wide tracts of fertile land, drowning an estimated 10,000 inhabitants. Entire villages vanished beneath the water, and livestock perished in the deluge. The disaster halted agricultural production and prompted large-scale resettlement of survivors. It also spurred innovations in Dutch water management, including improved dike construction and drainage systems. The remaining islands formed after the flood influenced the region’s geography for centuries. Commemorations of St Elizabeth’s flood endure in Dutch cultural memory as a testament to human resilience against nature’s fury.
1421
St Elizabeth's flood
Grote Hollandse Waard
1867day.year
An earthquake strikes the Virgin Islands, triggering the largest tsunami witnessed in the Caribbean and killing dozens.
A powerful earthquake strikes the Virgin Islands, triggering the largest tsunami ever recorded in the Caribbean and causing widespread devastation.
At dawn on November 18, 1867, an estimated magnitude 7.5 earthquake shook the island of St. Thomas and surrounding Virgin Islands. The seismic event generated a tsunami that surged across the Caribbean coastlines, reaching heights of up to 30 feet. Waves inundated villages, destroyed structures, and claimed the lives of dozens of residents and sailors. Relief efforts were hampered by the remote location and destroyed infrastructure. The disaster remains one of the most catastrophic natural events in Caribbean history.
1867
An earthquake
Virgin Islands
tsunami
Caribbean
1929day.year
Grand Banks earthquake: Off the south coast of Newfoundland in the Atlantic Ocean, a Richter magnitude 7.2 submarine earthquake, centered on the Grand Banks, breaks 12 submarine transatlantic telegraph cables and triggers a tsunami that destroys many south coast communities in the Burin Peninsula.
A magnitude 7.2 undersea earthquake off Newfoundland ruptured transatlantic cables and triggered a deadly tsunami.
On November 18, 1929, a 7.2-magnitude submarine earthquake struck off Newfoundland’s Grand Banks.
The quake snapped 12 transatlantic telegraph cables, severing communication links between Europe and North America.
A tsunami up to 13 meters high devastated coastal communities on the Burin Peninsula.
Fishermen and villagers were caught unaware, with significant loss of life and property.
The disaster highlighted the vulnerability of deep-sea infrastructure to seismic events.
Subsequent studies advanced understanding of submarine earthquakes and tsunami warning systems.
1929
Grand Banks earthquake
Newfoundland
Richter magnitude
Grand Banks
transatlantic telegraph cables
tsunami
Burin Peninsula
1947day.year
The Ballantyne's Department Store fire in Christchurch, New Zealand, kills 41; it is the worst fire disaster in the history of New Zealand.
A catastrophic fire at Ballantyne’s Department Store in Christchurch in 1947 killed 41 people, marking New Zealand’s worst fire disaster.
In the early hours of November 18, 1947, a fire erupted in Christchurch’s iconic Ballantyne’s Department Store, then the largest retail building in New Zealand. Flames and smoke spread rapidly through the six-floor structure, trapping staff and shoppers. Firefighters battled the blaze amid challenging conditions, but outdated safety systems hampered rescue efforts. The tragedy resulted in 41 fatalities, prompting national mourning and public outcry. An official inquiry led to sweeping reforms in building regulations and fire safety standards. Memorial services and annual commemorations continue to honor the victims of this historic disaster.
1947
Ballantyne's Department Store fire
Christchurch
1983day.year
Aeroflot Flight 6833 is hijacked en route from Tbilisi to Leningrad. After returning to Tbilisi, the aircraft is subsequentially raided on the ground, resulting in seven deaths.
Aeroflot Flight 6833 was hijacked en route from Tbilisi to Leningrad and stormed on the ground in Tbilisi, resulting in seven deaths.
Aeroflot Flight 6833 was a scheduled domestic flight from Tbilisi to Leningrad in November 1983. A group of hijackers seized control of the aircraft shortly after takeoff, demanding to be flown to Western Europe. Due to fuel and airspace limitations, the flight returned to Tbilisi International Airport. On the ground, Soviet security forces launched a raid to retake the plane. The operation ended with seven fatalities among passengers and hijackers, shocking the Soviet public. The incident prompted a tightening of aviation security measures across the USSR.
1983
Aeroflot Flight 6833
Tbilisi
Leningrad
1987day.year
King's Cross fire: In London, 31 people die in a fire at the city's busiest underground station, King's Cross St Pancras.
A deadly fire broke out at King's Cross St Pancras underground station in London, claiming 31 lives and spurring major safety reforms.
On November 18, 1987, a fire ignited beneath a wooden escalator at King's Cross St Pancras station during the evening rush hour. The blaze spread rapidly through a phenomenon known as the 'trench effect', overwhelming passengers and firefighters. Smoke and toxic gases filled the tunnels, hindering evacuation efforts. A total of 31 people died and many more were injured in the tragedy. The aftermath revealed critical safety failures in tunnel design and staff training. This disaster led to a comprehensive overhaul of fire safety regulations on the London Underground, including the replacement of wooden escalators and stricter emergency protocols.
1987
King's Cross fire
underground
King's Cross St Pancras
1996day.year
A fire occurs on a train traveling through the Channel Tunnel from France to England causing several injuries and damaging approximately 500 metres (1,600 ft) of tunnel.
A fire erupted on a freight train inside the Channel Tunnel, injuring several people and damaging hundreds of meters of tunnel infrastructure.
The Channel Tunnel, linking France and England, opened in 1994 and became a major transport corridor. On November 18, 1996, a heavy goods vehicle (HGV) train caught fire approximately 30 kilometers underground. Smoke and flames forced the evacuation of passengers and crew in challenging conditions. Firefighters battled the blaze through ventilation shafts and emergency cross-passages. The fire damaged about 500 meters of the tunnel’s concrete lining and rail track. Repairs and enhanced fire safety measures were implemented to prevent future incidents and ensure passenger safety.
1996
fire
Channel Tunnel
1999day.year
At Texas A&M University, the Aggie Bonfire collapses killing 12 students and injuring 27 others.
The Aggie Bonfire at Texas A&M University collapsed during construction, killing 12 students and injuring dozens in a tragic accident.
The Aggie Bonfire was a long-standing Texas A&M University tradition symbolizing school spirit before the annual football game against the University of Texas. On November 18, 1999, the 58th bonfire stack collapsed unexpectedly during a nighttime construction session. Rescue efforts were hampered by the weight of the timber and fallen beams. Twelve students lost their lives and twenty-seven were hospitalized with serious injuries. The tragedy prompted a reevaluation of on-campus safety protocols and construction oversight. Although the bonfire tradition ended in 1999, its memory continues to foster a commitment to student safety and community support at Texas A&M.
1999
Aggie Bonfire