1. On November 18, 1925, the University of Alabama's football team was involved in a major train derailment in Davidson, North Carolina, resulting in the deaths of 17 people, including several Crimson Tide players and coaches. The tragedy has since become known as the "Football Immortals" disaster.

2. In 1927, on November 18th, Birmingham's Vulcan statue was dedicated in celebration of the city's industrial heritage. The 56-foot-tall statue, made of iron and weighing 120,000 pounds, remains the world's largest cast-iron statue and has become a symbol of Birmingham's identity.

3. November 18, 1863, marked the opening day of the Battle of Chattanooga in the American Civil War. The Union Army, led by General Ulysses S. Grant, launched a successful assault on Confederate defences in Lookout Valley, paving the way for their eventual victory in the battle.

4. On November 18, 1929, Alabama's first public airport was officially opened in Birmingham. The airport, known today as Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport, has since undergone several expansions and upgrades to accommodate the growing demands of air travel.

5. November 18, 1954, marked the inauguration of Alabama's first female governor, Lurleen Wallace. Wallace, who succeeded her husband in office after his death from cancer, served as governor until her own death from the same disease in 1968. Her legacy includes the creation of the state's first free kindergarten program and a focus on economic development through infrastructure improvements.