Today’s edition of Sud Ouest offers a blend of current events, historical reflections, and biographical notes. The paper reports on milestones from January 18th across history – from the Church’s authentication of the Lourdes apparitions in 1862 to more recent developments like Prince Harry and Meghan Markle stepping back from royal duties in 2020 – alongside profiles of notable figures born on this date, including Enlightenment philosopher Montesquieu and designer Philippe starck.The publication also includes a brief look at the legacy of the abandoned Notre-Dame-des-Landes airport project and the unveiling of the Airbus A380, then touted as the future of air travel.
A landmark moment in European cooperation unfolded as French President Jacques Chirac, British Prime Minister Tony Blair, German Chancellor Gerhard Schröder, and Spanish Prime Minister José Luis Zapatero gathered to celebrate a significant achievement. The event transcended industrial boundaries, becoming a major political triumph.
The “Superjumbo,” registered as F-WWOW, is a double-deck aircraft that immediately impresses with its sheer size and ambition to surpass the Boeing 747 as the world’s largest passenger plane. Presented as the future of mass air travel, the aircraft captured attention just three months before its historic first flight.
From the “Sud Ouest” Edition of January 18, 2018
Table of Contents
The executive branch announced the abandonment of the airport project in Notre-Dame-des-Landes. While opponents of the project express satisfaction, its supporters lament a setback for state authority.
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On the Calendar
Saint Prisca or Priscilla. Some accounts place Prisca’s martyrdom under Claudius Tiberius (45 – 54), while others attribute it to Claudius II the Goth (268 – 270). Those born on this day are said to be jovial and thoughtful. Their color: blue. Their number: 9. The day’s saying: “Snow on Saint Prisca, a beautiful year will follow.”
On This Day in History
1862 The Church officially authenticated the eighteen apparitions of the Virgin Mary to Bernadette Soubirous at Lourdes. 1918 Soviet authorities announced the cancellation of Russian loans taken out by the Tsars abroad. 1943 The siege of Leningrad by the German Wehrmacht in the USSR came to an end. 1951 Athlete Alain Mimoun was crowned in Paris. 2001 France officially recognized the Armenian genocide of 1915 in Turkey. 2020 Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, Duke and Duchess of Sussex, relinquished their royal highness titles.
Born on January 18
Montesquieu, French Enlightenment philosopher and writer (1869-1755). Philippe Starck, French designer (1949). Kevin Costner, American actor, director, and singer (1955). Elli Medeiros, Uruguayan-French singer (1956).
Valérie Damidot, French television host (1965). Josep “Pep” Guardiola, Spanish football player and manager (1971). Didier Dinart, French handball player (1977).
