June 18 in San Antonio history…

1918 – World War I
The San Antonio School Board of Trustees votes to abolish all instruction in the German language in San Antonio schools.  The decision was reached after the reading of resolutions from the Salesmanship and Rotary Clubs, denouncing the teaching of German as one of the most effectual mediums of the spread of German “Kultur” and propaganda in this country.

1944
Thousands gathered at Alamo Stadium to watch ceremonies posthumously awarding the Congressional Medal of Honor to S. Sgt. William J. Bordelon, Jr. The Marine sergeant’s mother received the medal on behalf of her late son.

1978
It took a five-man team of workers eight hours to place explosives throughout the building but only nine seconds to demolish the 70-year old Elks Building on the corner of Pecan and Navarro streets this morning.  The building was immortalized on the cigar boxes for Travis Club cigars.