1. In 1861, Illinois Governor Richard Yates convened a special session of the General Assembly to address the growing crisis of secession in the South. The session began on February 18 and resulted in Illinois pledging its full support to the Union and offering to contribute troops to the war effort.

2. On February 18, 1930, the Elmwood Park Public Library was dedicated in a ceremony attended by local officials and members of the community. The library, which was one of the first in the area to offer a children's department, has since undergone several renovations and expansions and remains a popular destination for residents of all ages.

3. In 1970, former Illinois Governor Otto Kerner was sentenced to three years in prison for corruption charges stemming from his time in office. Kerner, who served as governor from 1961 to 1968 and later as a judge on the United States Court of Appeals, was convicted of accepting bribes and kickbacks in exchange for government contracts.

4. Chicago hosted the NBA All-Star game on February 18, 1985, with the Western Conference defeating the Eastern Conference 140-129. The game, which was played at the old Chicago Stadium, featured Michael Jordan as a rookie and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar as the game's MVP.

5. On February 18, 2007, the Chicago Blackhawks retired the jersey of former player Keith Magnuson in a ceremony at the United Center. Magnuson, who played for the Blackhawks from 1969 to 1980, was known for his tough and physical style of play and was beloved by fans and teammates alike.