July 18

July 18 in the history of the Birmingham District:

• 2022: Poppa G's Billiards on Chandalar Place Drive in Pelham was destroyed by fire.
• 2015: The inaugural Sloss Music & Arts Festival kicked off at Sloss Furnaces.
• 2006: The Birmingham City Council approved an $875,000 two-year contract with Brantley Visioneering to serve as project manager for Phase I of the Railroad Reservation Park.
• 2006: Patricia Todd defeated Gaynell Hendricks for the Alabama House District 54 seat.
• 2005: Eric Robert Rudolph was sentenced in Birmingham to two consecutive life terms without parole for the murder of a police officer in the 1998 bombing of an abortion clinic on Southside.
• 2005: The Princeton BMC Healing Garden opened.
• 1963: Parisian opened a second store at Five Points West Shopping City.
• 1960: Construction began on Logan Martin Dam.
• 1903: Governor William Jelks appointed Charles Ferguson to the City Court of Jefferson County.
• 1878: The Pratt Coal and Coke Company was incorporated.
• 1867: The Brierfield Ironworks' furnace blew out.

Walter Sharpe, born July 18, 1986

Births

• 2013: Khan, a jaguar, was born at the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens.
• 1986: Parker High School and UAB basketball player Walter Sharpe was born in Huntsville.
• 1977: Football player Adalius Thomas was born in Equality.
• 1964: Attorney and former law enforcement officer Todd Henderson was born in Valley, Chambers County.
• 1956: Nurse and activist Emily Lyons was born.
• 1948: Birmingham City Schools administrator Tyrone Williams was born.
• 1859: Foundry owner George Anderson was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Deaths

• 2022: Akili, a female African lion at the Birmingham Zoo, died from injuries inflicted by a newly-introduced potential mate, Josh.
• 2011: Restauranteur Guillermo Castro died following a heart attack.

Sports

• 2009: Alabama Warriors tied the Memphis Panthers 16-16 in Memphis.
• 1997: The Alabama Saints played the Chattanooga Express in Liberty Park.