1. The Ohio State University was founded on January 18, 1870. The land-grant institution has since become one of the largest universities in the United States, with over 68,000 students and a faculty of over 6,000.

2. On January 18, 1778, infamous British general Henry Hamilton was captured by American forces led by George Rogers Clark in Vincennes, Indiana. Hamilton was known for his involvement in the slaughter of American soldiers at the Battle of Blue Licks the previous year.

3. President Benjamin Harrison, born in North Bend, Ohio, was inaugurated on January 18, 1889. Harrison is known for signing the Sherman Antitrust Act and recruiting the first African American to serve as a U.S. diplomat.

4. A major blizzard hit Ohio on January 18, 1978, known as "The Blizzard of 1978." The storm left thousands of Ohioans stranded, shut down airports and highways, and resulted in over 70 deaths across the state.

5. The Ohio River froze over in 1918, allowing for a unique winter spectacle. People were able to walk across the frozen river and even hold ice skating parties on its surface. This phenomenon has since been rare, as the Ohio River typically does not freeze solid enough for such activities.