August 18

August 18 in the history of the Birmingham District:

Opening day at Rickwood Field, August 18, 1910

• 2015: U.S. Steel announced the permanent closure of its Fairfield Works blast furnace.
• 2006: Jefferson State Community College's St Clair Center opened in Pell City.
• 2005: Singer Bo Bice underwent emergency surgery for a blocked intestine.
• 1979: Legion Field hosted the Drum Corps International World Championships.
• 1973: City Federal Savings & Loan opened an office at Green Springs Highway and West Valley Avenue.
• 1957: McElwain Baptist Church completed a new fellowship hall.
• 1925: The Flag of Birmingham was adopted by the Birmingham City Commission.
• 1890: Construction resumed for the Main Building at Howard College in East Lake.

Births

• 1955: Atlanta Braves catcher Bruce Benedict was born in Birmingham.
• 1930: Basketball coach Gene Bartow was born in Browning, Missouri.
• 1921: Attorney and civic leader Alexander Lacy was born in South Boston, Virginia
• 1918: Western swing bandleader Hank Penny was born in Birmingham.
• 1879: Architect William Denham was born in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

Deaths

• 2009: Chemist Leven Hazlegrove died at home in Homewood.
• 2008: Former Wake Forest University president Thomas Hearn died.
• 1898: Surveyor and engineer John T. Milner died in Birmingham.
• 1888: Early Birmingham entrepreneur John Westbrook died.

Sports

• 1995: Birmingham Barracudas 30 - Calgary Stampeders 28 at Calgary, Ontario.
• 1979: Florida Firebirds 27 - Alabama Vulcans 26 at Florida.
• 1910: Rickwood Field opened with a 3:30 PM game. The Birmingham Barons defeated the Montgomery Climbers 3-2.