1. In 1819, Alabama was officially admitted as the 22nd state in the United States.
2. On December 18, 1865, the state of Alabama ratified the 13th Amendment to the Constitution, which abolished slavery and involuntary servitude in the United States.
3. In 1915, the historic Lyric Theatre opened its doors in Birmingham, Alabama. It has since become a beloved landmark, hosting countless performances and events over the years.
4. On December 18, 1940, legendary football coach Bear Bryant began his tenure as head coach of the University of Alabama's football team. Over the course of his career, he led the Crimson Tide to six national championships and firmly established them as one of college football's greatest dynasties.
5. In 1975, Juanita Abernathy, a civil rights activist who played a key role in the Montgomery bus boycott, became the first African American woman to be elected to the Montgomery City Council. Her legacy continues to inspire activists and leaders in Alabama and beyond.