1. On November 18, 1820, Missouri became the 24th state to join the Union. The road to statehood was controversial due to the debates over the issue of slavery, which ultimately led to the Missouri Compromise of 1820.

2. On November 18, 1861, the Battle of Belmont was fought in southeast Missouri during the American Civil War. Union forces under Brig. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant engaged Confederate troops near Columbus, Kentucky, in an effort to disrupt enemy operations and secure Union control of the Mississippi River.

3. On November 18, 1928, Walt Disney's first talkie cartoon, "Steamboat Willie," premiered at the Colony Theatre in New York City. The famous Mickey Mouse character made his debut in this pioneering animated short.

4. On November 18, 1967, Missouri astronaut Tom Stafford became the first person to make rendezvous and docking maneuvers in space during the Gemini 6A mission. The historic event paved the way for future space exploration and the development of the International Space Station.

5. On November 18, 1984, the Kansas City Chiefs defeated the Seattle Seahawks in the longest game in NFL history. The marathon game lasted five quarters and featured several memorable moments, including a 25-yard field goal by Nick Lowery to seal the victory for the Chiefs.