November 18 has seen time zones adopted, massacres, and milestones in space and entertainment.
Walt Disney's Steamboat Willie premiered in New York, featuring the first synchronized sound cartoon and introducing Mickey Mouse to the world. The character became the most recognizable icon in entertainment.
American and Canadian railroads adopted standard time zones, replacing the chaos of hundreds of local times. The system divided the continent into four time zones and became the basis for global timekeeping.
Over 900 members of the People's Temple cult died in a mass murder-suicide in Jonestown, Guyana, led by Jim Jones. It was the largest single loss of American civilian life before September 11.
Pope Boniface VIII issued the papal bull Unam Sanctam, asserting papal supremacy over all earthly rulers. The claim led to a confrontation with King Philip IV of France that weakened the medieval papacy.
Pope Urban VIII consecrated St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican City, 120 years after construction began. The magnificent church, built over St. Peter's tomb, remains the largest church in the world.
AT&T introduced the push-button telephone to the public. The touch-tone system eventually replaced rotary dialing and paved the way for modern telecommunications.
The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court ruled that banning same-sex marriage was unconstitutional. Massachusetts became the first US state to legalize same-sex marriage, leading a national trend.