FRIDAY, July 18, 2025

1334-Bishop of Florence blesses the first foundation stone for the new campanile (bell tower) of the Florence Cathedral, designed by artist Giotto di Bondone

1925-Adolf Hitler publishes Mein Kampf, original title was the catchy "Four and a Half Years (of Struggle) Against Lies, Stupidity and Cowardice"

1936-Spanish Civil War: General Francisco Franco issues manifesto and leads an uprising in the Spanish army stationed in Morocco

2012-Kim Jong-un is officially appointed Supreme Leader of North Korea and given the rank of Marshal in the Korean People's Army

2013-Detroit, Michigan, files for bankruptcy, becoming the largest U.S. municipal bankruptcy ever at $18.5 billion

2023-Wildfire season in British Columbia becomes the most destructive on record, burning 14,100 square kilometers of land, with 390 fires still alight (surpassing 2018 record)