1. On May 18, 1859, the Illinois and Michigan Canal was completed after 12 years of construction. The canal connected the Chicago River to the Illinois River, providing a vital trade route for goods and resources to and from the Midwest to the Gulf of Mexico.

2. In 1927, Charles Lindbergh landed in Chicago on May 18th as part of his historic solo flight across the Atlantic Ocean. He was greeted by a crowd of thousands of cheering fans, and his flight helped to popularize air travel and push for advancements in aviation technology.

3. On May 18, 1900, the deadliest tornado outbreak in Illinois history left a trail of destruction across 13 counties, killing 255 people and causing millions of dollars in damage. The disaster prompted new discussions about developing tornado warning systems and building stronger, more resilient structures.

4. In 1904, the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign held its first commencement ceremony on May 18th. The ceremony marked the graduation of 32 students from a range of academic disciplines, including engineering, agriculture, and law.

5. On May 18, 1970, anti-war protests erupted on the campus of Southern Illinois University in Carbondale. The protests followed the announcement by President Nixon of the expansion of the Vietnam War into Cambodia, and students clashed with police and National Guard troops. The incident sparked a broader discussion about the role of student activism in shaping national policy.