1. In 1777, Rhode Island became the first state to declare independence from Great Britain by proclaiming the "Rhode Island Independence Act" on May 18th of that year.

2. May 18, 1843 marked the opening of the first rail line in Rhode Island, connecting Providence to Boston.

3. On May 18, 1927, Rhode Island native Charles Lindbergh landed at the airport in Providence, bringing his famous flight from New York to Paris to a triumphant end.

4. In 1973, the Providence & Worcester Railroad Company was incorporated on May 18th, helping to restore rail service to many communities in Rhode Island and elsewhere in the Northeast.

5. May 18, 2007 saw the devastating Station Nightclub fire in West Warwick, Rhode Island, which resulted in the loss of 100 lives and injured over 200 people.