January 18

Founded by the Methodist Church, Wesley College welcomed its first students on 18 January 1866 in Melbourne. It aimed to provide rigorous academic instruction alongside moral and spiritual guidance. Over the following decades, the school expanded its campus, introduced sports and arts programs, and fostered community service. Alumni have gone on to excel in politics, business, sciences, and the arts. Today, Wesley College stands as a prominent boarding and day school, continuing its heritage of holistic education.

On January 18, 1967, Albert DeSalvo was convicted in Massachusetts for a series of sexual assaults linked to the Boston Strangler murders. Although he had confessed to killing 13 women, the court convicted him primarily on related charges, as evidence for murder charges remained inconclusive. DeSalvo received a life sentence at Walpole State Prison, where he would spend the remainder of his life. His confession and the investigation spotlighted flaws in law enforcement and forensic techniques of the era. Debates over his true culpability in the Strangler killings persisted for decades after his death in 1973. The case influenced future criminal profiling and homicide investigation methods.

Martin Luther King Jr. Day was first established as a federal holiday in 1983 and observed in some states, but it wasn't until January 18, 1993, that every US state officially recognized it. The day honors the life and legacy of Dr. King, leader of the civil rights movement and a champion of nonviolent protest against racial segregation. In many communities, the holiday is marked by educational programs, parades, and national moments of service inspired by King's commitment to social justice. The unanimous observance reflected decades of activism by politicians and civil rights advocates who fought for a unified national commemoration. This milestone reinforced King's enduring impact on American society and the ongoing pursuit of equality.

On January 18, 2012, more than 115,000 websites worldwide staged a blackout in protest of the proposed Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA) and Protect IP Act (PIPA) in the US. Major platforms like Wikipedia, Reddit, and Google displayed blank pages or banners, warning users of the potential threats to online freedom. The protest mobilized global public opinion, leading to widespread criticism of the bills as draconian measures that could stifle free speech and innovation. Calls from internet pioneers, businesses, and civil liberties groups prompted many lawmakers to withdraw their support. Within days, the legislation was effectively shelved, demonstrating the power of collective digital activism.