Did you know
Initially politically independent, Powell joined the Republican Party in 1995, but left it in 2021 following the January 6 United States Capitol attack.
Notable Deaths on October 18
2021 — Colin Powell
American military leader and statesman, 65th Secretary of State (born 1937)
October 18 has 126 recorded notable deaths across history, from 31 to 2025. This focused page highlights 20 people with the strongest available profile context.
By thisDay.info Editorial Team · — Wikipedia
Notable Deaths
126 source records
31 – 2025
Today in history
Major events on October 18
See what else happened on this day in history.
- 1912 First Balkan War: King Peter I of Serbia issues a declaration "To the Serbian People", as his country joins the war. Source
- 1991 The Supreme Council of Azerbaijan adopts a declaration of independence from the Soviet Union. Source
- 1963 Félicette, a black and white female Parisian stray cat, becomes the first cat launched into space. Source
- 1860 The Second Opium War finally ends at the Convention of Peking with the ratification of the Treaty of Tientsin, an unequal treaty. Source
Did you know
Ludwig III was the last King of Bavaria, reigning from 1913 to 1918.
Did you know
Leo Strauss was a German-American political philosopher and historian of philosophy whose work greatly influenced twentieth-century political theory in the United States and the study of classical political thought.
Did you know
Johnny Haynes also had a spell on loan with Toronto City in 1961 and ended his playing days at Durban City, winning there the only trophy he won in his football career.
Did you know
Alfred Binet, born Alfredo Binetti, was a French psychologist who together with Théodore Simon invented the first practical intelligence test, the Binet–Simon Intelligence Test.
More major people who died on October 18
Notable people are ranked by substantive profile depth and public notability.
1921
Ludwig III of Bavaria (born 1845)
Ludwig III was the last King of Bavaria, reigning from 1913 to 1918. Initially, he served in the Bavarian military as a lieutenant and went on to hold the rank of Oberleutnant during the Austro-Prussian War.
1973
Leo Strauss
German-American political scientist, philosopher, and academic (born 1899)
Leo Strauss was a German-American political philosopher and historian of philosophy whose work greatly influenced twentieth-century political theory in the United States and the study of classical political thought.
2005
Johnny Haynes
English-Scottish footballer (born 1934)
John Norman Haynes was an English association footballer who played as an inside forward. He made 56 appearances for his country including 22 as captain.
1911
Alfred Binet
French psychologist and author (born 1857)
Alfred Binet, born Alfredo Binetti, was a French psychologist who together with Théodore Simon invented the first practical intelligence test, the Binet–Simon Intelligence Test.
1982
Pierre Mendès France
French lawyer and politician, 143rd Prime Minister of France (born 1907)
Pierre Isaac Isidore Mendès France was a French politician who served as prime minister of France for eight months from 1954 to 1955.
1678
Jacob Jordaens
Belgian painter illustrator (born 1593)
Jacques "Jacob" Jordaens was a Flemish painter, draughtsman and a designer of tapestries and prints.
1984
Henri Michaux
French painter and poet (born 1899)
Henri Michaux was a Belgian-born French experimental poet, writer and painter.
1956
Yoshio Markino
Japanese painter and author (born 1869)
Yoshio Markino was a Japanese artist and author who from 1897 – 1942 was based in London.
1983
Diego Abad de Santillán
Spanish economist and author (born 1897)
Sinesio Baudillo García Fernández, commonly known by his pseudonym Diego Abad de Santillán, was a Spanish Argentine anarcho-syndicalist economist. Born in León, his family moved to Argentina while he was young.
1935
Gaston Lachaise
French-American sculptor (born 1882)
Gaston Lachaise was a French-born sculptor, active in America in the early 20th century. A native of Paris, he is most noted for his robust female nudes such as his heroic Standing Woman.
325
Emperor Ming of Jin (born 299)
Emperor Ming of Jin (simplified Chinese: 晋明帝; traditional Chinese: 晉明帝; pinyin: Jìn Míng Dì; Wade–Giles: Chin Ming-ti; 299 – 18 October 325, personal name Sima Shao, courtesy name Daoji, was an emperor of the Eastern…
1976
Viswanatha Satyanarayana
Indian poet and author (born 1895)
Viswanatha Satyanarayana was a 20th-century Telugu writer. His works included poetry, novels, dramatic play, short stories and speeches, covering a wide range of subjects such as analysis of history, philosophy,…
1876
Francis Preston Blair
American journalist (born 1791)
Francis Preston Blair Sr. was an American journalist, newspaper editor, and influential figure in national politics advising various U.S. presidents across party lines.
1541
Margaret Tudor
queen of James IV of Scotland (born 1489)
Margaret Tudor was Queen of Scotland from 1503 until 1513 as the wife of James IV. She then served as regent of Scotland during her son's minority, and fought to extend her regency.
1101
Hugh I
Count of Vermandois (born 1053)
Hugh, called the Great was the first count of Vermandois from the House of Capet.
1865
Henry John Temple
3rd Viscount Palmerston, English soldier and politician, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom (born 1784)
Henry John Temple, 3rd Viscount Palmerston, known as Lord Palmerston, was a British Anglo-Irish politician who served as prime minister of the United Kingdom from 1855 to 1858 and from 1859 to his death in 1865.
2000
Julie London
American singer and actress (born 1926)
Julie London was an American singer and actress whose career spanned more than 40 years. A torch singer noted for her contralto voice, London recorded over thirty albums of pop and jazz standards between 1955 and 1969.
1770
John Manners
Marquess of Granby, English general and politician, Lord Lieutenant of Derbyshire (born 1721)
Lieutenant-General John Manners, Marquess of Granby was a British Army officer and politician.
2025
Lia Smith
American diver and transgender rights advocate.
Lia Purcell Smith was an American student at Middlebury College in Middlebury, Vermont, who died by suicide on October 18, 2025, at the age of 21.