18 December It Happened Today

1737  Death of violin maker Antonio Stradivari.

1779  Birth of English clown and creator of the classic clown make up, Joseph Grimaldi.

1825  Tsar Nicholas I succeeds to the Russian throne.

1913  Birth of American actress  Betty Grable.

1943  Birth of Rolling Stones guitarist Keith Richards.

1963  Birth of American actor Brad Pitt.