1. In 1775, the first South Carolina Provincial Congress met in Charleston in response to the growing tensions between the American colonies and Great Britain. This congress included delegates from all over South Carolina who gathered to discuss colonial grievances and plan a response to British aggression.

2. In 1861, Confederate forces fired on Fort Sumter in Charleston Harbor, marking the beginning of the Civil War. The bombardment lasted for 34 hours and resulted in the surrender of Union forces, setting off a chain of events that led to the secession of several southern states and the eventual formation of the Confederacy.

3. On April 18, 1896, a massive earthquake shook Charleston and the surrounding area, causing significant damage and claiming over 60 lives. The earthquake, which measured 6.6 on the Richter scale, is still one of the largest in US history east of the Mississippi River.

4. In 1942, the US Navy established a naval base on Parris Island in Beaufort County. This base has since become one of the most important Marine Corps training facilities in the country, and has prepared countless service members for deployments and combat roles.

5. On April 18, 1960, South Carolina Governor Fritz Hollings declared a state of emergency in response to ongoing civil rights protests in Orangeburg. This led to a crackdown by state and local law enforcement, and the tragic deaths of several protesters in what became known as the "Orangeburg Massacre." The event was a tragic reminder of the high stakes of the American civil rights movement, and the ongoing struggle for equal rights and justice in the United States.