As an AI language model, I cannot vouch for the accuracy or completeness of the information presented. However, here are five potentially interesting facts about April 18 in Virginia history:
1. In 1775, Paul Revere made his famous ride from Boston to Lexington and Concord to warn of approaching British forces. While Revere is often credited with being the sole rider, there were actually two other riders that night--one of whom, William Dawes, passed through Virginia on his way to Lexington.
2. On April 18, 1861, Confederate forces in Virginia attacked and seized the Gosport Navy Yard in Portsmouth, Virginia, which housed several U.S. ships and a large amount of weapons and ammunition. The Union tried to destroy the yard before it could fall into Confederate hands, but the damage was limited and the Confederates were able to use the facilities for the rest of the war.
3. In 1878, a fire broke out at the Virginia State Penitentiary in Richmond, killing seven inmates and causing extensive damage to the prison. The cause of the fire was never determined, but it was rumored to have been set by inmates.
4. Virginia-born actress Grace Kelly, who later became Princess Grace of Monaco, celebrated her 26th birthday on April 18, 1954. Kelly had already established herself as a gifted actress, having won an Academy Award for Best Actress the previous year for her role in "The Country Girl."
5. On April 18, 2007, the Virginia Tech shooting occurred in Blacksburg, Virginia, leaving 33 people dead and 23 injured. It remains one of the deadliest mass shootings in modern U.S. history and sparked widespread debates about gun control and mental health.
5 Fun Facts About April 18 In Virginia History
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