1. On April 18, 1906, the San Francisco earthquake occurred, which was felt as far east as Illinois. The earthquake was one of the most destructive in United States history, resulting in widespread fires and almost 3,000 deaths.

2. On April 18, 1938, the Illinois and Michigan Canal was officially abandoned after nearly 85 years of service. The canal, which connected the Illinois River to Lake Michigan, played a crucial role in the development of the Chicago area and the transportation of goods throughout the Midwest.

3. On April 18, 1942, 77 Doolittle Raiders took off from the USS Hornet to bomb Tokyo in the first attack on the Japanese mainland during World War II. One of the Raiders, Jack Sims, was a native of Chicago.

4. On April 18, 1983, the Illinois General Assembly passed the first statewide seat belt law in the United States. The law required drivers and front-seat passengers to wear seat belts, and was seen as a major step forward in improving road safety.

5. On April 18, 2020, Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker announced that all schools in the state would remain closed for the remainder of the academic year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The decision was met with mixed reactions, as some praised the governor's caution while others criticized the impact on students and families.