On This Day, March 18: U.S. closes Syrian embassies, expels diplomats

UPI Staff
·3 min read
On March 18, 2014, the U.S. State Department ordered Syria to close its embassy in Washington, D.C., (pictured in 2008) and consulates in Michigan and Texas. File Photo by Josh Carolina/Wikimedia
On March 18, 2014, the U.S. State Department ordered Syria to close its embassy in Washington, D.C., (pictured in 2008) and consulates in Michigan and Texas. File Photo by Josh Carolina/Wikimedia
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March 18 (UPI) -- On this date in history:

In 1922, Mahatma Gandhi was sentenced to six years in prison for civil disobedience against the British rulers of India.

In 1925, the worst tornado in U.S. history roared through eastern Missouri, southern Illinois and southern Indiana, killing 695 people, injuring thousands of others and causing $17 million in property damage.

In 1937, a natural gas explosion at a public school in New London, Texas, killed almost 300 people, most of them children.

In 1962, France and Algeria signed a cease-fire agreement ending a seven-year civil war and bringing independence to the North African country.

Chicago Bulls Michael Jordan drives past Atlanta Hawks Steve Smith for a layup during the second period February 14, 1997, in Atlanta. The Bulls ended Atlanta's winning streak at 20 games with a 89-88 victory. On March 18, 1995, "I'm back." Superstar Michael Jordan announced he was returning to professional basketball and the Chicago Bulls after a 17-month break. File Photo by Jim Middleton/UPI

In 1965, Soviet cosmonaut Alexey Leonov became the first person to walk in space.

In 1995, "I'm back." Superstar Michael Jordan announced he was returning to professional basketball and the Chicago Bulls after a 17-month break, during which he had tried a baseball career.

Rescue workers using torch lights to help search for victims and bodies in debris at a school in New London, Texas on March 18, 1935. Photo courtesy UTA Libraries, Special Collections
Rescue workers using torch lights to help search for victims and bodies in debris at a school in New London, Texas on March 18, 1935. Photo courtesy UTA Libraries, Special Collections
File Photo by Christine Chew/UPI
File Photo by Christine Chew/UPI

In 2002, a 13-year-old girl died two days after being struck in the head by a puck at a Columbus Blue Jackets-Calgary Flames game. The incident forced the National Hockey League to have teams install 18-foot nets behind all goals to protect spectators.

On March 18, 1922, Mahatma Gandhi was sentenced to six years in prison for civil disobedience against the British rulers of India. File Photo by Bert Brandt/Acme Newspictures/UPI
On March 18, 1922, Mahatma Gandhi was sentenced to six years in prison for civil disobedience against the British rulers of India. File Photo by Bert Brandt/Acme Newspictures/UPI

In 2003, on the eve of war with Iraq, the U.S. State Department listed 30 countries as members of a "coalition of the willing" supporting military intervention, but only the United States, Britain and Australia were known to be providing troops.

In 2005, doctors removed the feeding tube keeping Terri Schiavo alive after a wide-ranging fight over the brain-damaged Florida woman's care that involved U.S. President George Bush and Congress.

Cosmonaut Alexey A. Leonov, the first man to walk in space, gives a thumbs-up to the crowd at the 30th anniversary reunion program of the Apollo-Soyuz mission at the National Air and Space Museum in Washington, D.C., on July 14, 2005. On March 18, 1965, Leonov became the first person to walk in space. File Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI
Cosmonaut Alexey A. Leonov, the first man to walk in space, gives a thumbs-up to the crowd at the 30th anniversary reunion program of the Apollo-Soyuz mission at the National Air and Space Museum in Washington, D.C., on July 14, 2005. On March 18, 1965, Leonov became the first person to walk in space. File Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI
File Photo by Cathy Kapulka/UPI
File Photo by Cathy Kapulka/UPI

In 2010, U.S. President Barack Obama signed a jobs-stimulus measure into law. It provided $17.5 billion in tax cuts and other employer incentives and shifted $20 billion to boost transit programs.

In 2014, the U.S. State Department ordered Syria to close its embassy in Washington, D.C., and consulates in Michigan and Texas, and expelled all diplomats without U.S. citizenship or lawful permanent residency status.

In 2018, an Uber vehicle on autonomous mode struck and killed a pedestrian in Tempe, Ariz., the first fatal crash involving a self-driving car.

In 2021, the Senate confirmed William Burns to serve as CIA director.

File Photo by Saul Loeb/UPI
File Photo by Saul Loeb/UPI