1969. Senator Ted Kennedy drives his car off a bridge on Chappaquiddick Island near Martha’s Vineyard in his home state of Mass.. Kennedy's passenger, Mary Jo Kopechne, drowns. The Senator, who does not immediately report what happened, later pleads guilty to leaving the scene of an accident.

1918. "The majority of South Africans, black and white, recognise that apartheid has no future."Nelson Mandela, the anti-apartheid activist who became South Africa's first black President is born. Mandela guided his country to multi-racial democracy after spending nearly 3 decades in prison under white minority rule.

And 1954. My eyes are filled with bitter tears. Lord, I ain't been home in years Got the Highway 40 blues.

Ricky Skaggs, the country and bluegrass music artist is born in Cordell, Kentucky.

Today in History, July 18th. Ross Simpson, the Associated Press.