1. On August 18, 1920, the 19th Amendment to the US Constitution was ratified. This amendment granted women the right to vote in all elections, including those in North Carolina. It was a significant step towards equality and gender rights in the state.

2. On August 18, 1989, Hurricane Hugo made landfall in the Charleston area before slamming the North Carolina coast. It caused widespread damage and left many North Carolinians without power and homeless. The hurricane resulted in significant changes in the state's emergency response and preparation systems.

3. August 18, 1943, marked the day the United Service Organization opened its first facility in North Carolina, located in Winston-Salem. The facility was set up to provide services and support for military personnel and their families during World War II.

4. On August 18, 2017, protesters toppled a Confederate monument in Durham, North Carolina. The act ignited controversy and sparked a debate about the role of controversial statues and monuments in the state's history.

5. August 18, 1962, was the birthdate of Shelia Martin, an American athlete from North Carolina. She won a silver medal in the 4x100m relay at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympic Games representing the USA. Her achievements have since inspired many young women to pursue athletics as a career path.