April 18 in History
1506 - The cornerstone of the current St. Peter's Basilica is laid in the Vatican by Pope Julius II
Regarded as one of the greatest Renaissance and Baroque buildings St. Peter’s replacing an earlier basilica, was begun under Pope Julius II in 1506 and completed in 1615 under Paul V. It stood as the largest church in the world until 1989. Today it stands in the shape of a Latin cross with the dome at the crossing over the high altar and the shrine to St Peter the Apostle. It is a significant site of pilgrimage and the burial place for many popes.
-onthisday.com