1. On April 18, 1880, the Arkansas State Legislature created the Arkansas Industrial University, which later became the University of Arkansas. The university is now the flagship institution of the University of Arkansas System and is located in Fayetteville.

2. In 1906, a devastating tornado hit the town of Bald Knob, Arkansas, on April 18. The tornado resulted in the deaths of over 100 people and destroyed much of the town.

3. On April 18, 1961, the first class of medical students graduated from the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) in Little Rock. UAMS is now one of the state's top medical institutions and provides healthcare to patients from across Arkansas.

4. In 1970, the Ozark National Forest was established on April 18. The forest covers over 1.2 million acres and is known for its scenic beauty, hiking trails, and outdoor recreation opportunities.

5. On April 18, 1995, a truck bomb exploded outside the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The blast killed 168 people and injured hundreds more, including many residents of Arkansas who were working in the building or visiting Oklahoma City at the time. The attack remains one of the deadliest acts of domestic terrorism in U.S. history.