1. In 1951, the deadliest tornado in Kansas history struck the town of Udall, killing 80 people and causing extensive damage to homes and buildings. The EF-5 tornado had wind speeds of up to 300 mph and was nearly one mile wide.

2. May 18, 1953 marked the date of the first successful climb of Mount Everest by Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay, celebrating its 68th anniversary in 2021. Interestingly, Sir Edmund Hillary later visited Kansas and spoke at Wichita State University, inspiring many Kansans with his stories of adventure.

3. On May 18, 1927, Charles Lindbergh landed his plane, the Spirit of St. Louis, in Wichita, Kansas during a cross-country tour. Lindbergh's historic flight across the Atlantic Ocean had occurred just weeks prior, making his visit to Wichita a major event.

4. In 2013, parts of Kansas experienced severe flooding on May 18, causing damages to crops, roads, and homes. The flooding was caused by heavy rainfall and affected several counties across the state.

5. May 18, 2019 was the date of the first-ever LGBTQ Pride festival in Garden City, Kansas. The event was called "Western Kansas Pride" and brought together members of the LGBTQ community and allies to celebrate diversity and promote equality in a conservative part of the state.