1. In 1850, the first public school in Oregon, known as the Portland School, opened its doors. It was established in response to the growing need for education in the state and served as a model for other schools.

2. On September 18, 1865, the first issue of the Oregonian newspaper was published in Portland. It has since become the largest daily newspaper in the state and is known for its coverage of local, national, and international news.

3. In 1900, the Oregon State Fair was held for the first time in Salem. The fair has been held annually ever since, except during times of war and other major events.

4. On this day in 1970, Governor Tom McCall signed the Bottle Bill into law, making Oregon the first state to require a deposit on beverage containers to encourage recycling. The law has since been expanded to include other containers and remains a model for other states.

5. The Oregon 500 National Indy Car Race was held for the first time on September 18, 1983, at the Portland International Raceway. The race drew top drivers from around the world and has since become a popular annual event for racing fans.