On this day in history - April 18

What Happened On This Day – April 18

• 1956 Rainier III marries Grace Kelly

  The wedding celebrations for the Prince of Monaco and the glamorous U.S. actress were broadcast around the world and enthused the population of war-torn Europe.

• 1951 The European Coal and Steel Community, a precursor of the European Union, is established

  The Treaty of Paris was signed by France, West Germany, Italy, Belgium, Luxembourg and the Netherlands.

• 1949 Ireland becomes an independent republic

  Six counties in the northern part of the island remained in the Commonwealth, leading to a decades-long ethno-nationalist conflict that culminated in The Troubles.

• 1906 A massive earthquake destroys San Francisco

  About 3000 people died in the disaster. Over 80 percent of the city was destroyed by the quake and resulting fires.

• 1506 Construction of the current St. Peter's Basilica begins

  St. Peter's in Vatican City is one of the world's most important Catholic sites.