The 1918 influenza pandemic, commonly called the Spanish flu, was caused by an H1N1 influenza A virus and swept the world in several waves. It was named Spanish only because neutral Spain reported on it freely while wartime censorship muted news elsewhere, and its true origin remains uncertain. Troop movements at the end of the First World War helped it spread, and it was unusually deadly among healthy young adults. Estimates of the death toll vary widely, but it killed at least tens of millions of people, more than the war itself. There were no vaccines or antivirals, and public health responses such as quarantines and mask requirements varied from place to place.
Before and after
- from 1918 to 1920Georgian–Ossetian conflict (1918–1920)
- 1918Shche ne vmerla Ukrainy i slava, i volia
- 1918Publication of Mer Hayrenik
- 1918Founding of Hebrew University of Jerusalem
- from January 1918 to December 19201918–1920 flu pandemic
- from 1918 to 1922Japanese intervention in Siberia
- 8 January 1918Fourteen Points
- 15 January 1918Birth of Gamal Abdel Nasser
- 20 January 1918Battle of Imbros
More in Society, economy & sport
- 1924Origins of Allsvenskan
- 11 December 1931Founding of Commonwealth of Nations
- 18 June 1932Founding of International Basketball Federation
- 1937Nanjing Massacre
- 1938Founding of Samsung Group
- 15 May 1940Founding of McDonald's
The era
This moment belongs to the Modern era (1914 CE to 1945 CE), world wars and a changing world. You can also browse everything in the 20th century.