July 18 in nerd history: Happy birthday Vin Diesel

Last updated: February 22, 2024

July 18 in nerd history: Happy birthday Vin Diesel

Happy National Sour Candy Day. I get it, this day isn’t for everyone. And yes, it includes both your “traditional” sour candies, like Sour Patch Kids, and the fringe stuff, like Warheads. I don’t make these rules, but by creed I am bound to them.

impact confections candy GIF by Brimstone (The Grindhouse Radio, Hound Comics)

This is The Reset Button from Classic Nerd, resetting your day.

July 18 in Nerd History

Here are 5 things that happened on July 18 at the intersection of nerd and pop culture.

I.

Birthdays of honor: Vin Diesel (1967), Kristen Bell (1980), John Glenn (1921), Richard Branson (1950), Hunter S. Thompson (1937), James Brolin (1940), Red Skelton (1913), Screamin’ Jay Hawkins (1929).

II.

In 1986 one of the great sequels ever made hit theaters: Aliens. Whoever was like, “Instead of it just being one alien, now it’s more, so just add the S” is my hero.

Robot GIF by Aliens

Also released on this day, but in 1990, was the criminally underrated Arachnophobia.

And I suppose we should mention how The Dark Knight came out in 2008…

why so serious GIF

III.

In 1968 Intel was founded in Mountain View, California. A key figure in the rise of Silicon Valley, Intel also helped to revolutionize the production of microchips.

IV.

In 1991, the very first Lollapalooza tour kicked off in Chandler, Arizona. The lineup featured Jane’s Addiction, Siouxsie and the Banshees, Living Colour, and Nine Inch Nails among many others.

School Dance GIF - The Simpsons 90s Dance GIFs

V.

On this day in 1978 Def Leppard made their live debut — at the Westfield School in Sheffield, England, for about 150 people.