1. In 1926, the first Washington State Capitol building opened its doors in Olympia. The building was designed by Joseph Wohleb and is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

2. The Space Needle, one of the most iconic landmarks in Washington, opened on October 18, 1962 in Seattle. The structure was built for the 1962 World's Fair and stands at 605 feet tall.

3. On October 18, 1990, a magnitude 5.7 earthquake hit the Olympic Peninsula region of Washington. The earthquake caused damage to buildings and roads, and created a large landslide that blocked US Highway 101.

4. The Washington State Ferries system, which operates the largest ferry system in the United States, was established on October 18, 1951. The system currently operates 20 vessels on 10 routes, serving 24 terminals throughout Puget Sound.

5. In 1973, the Seattle Seahawks played their first game in franchise history on October 18. The team faced off against the St. Louis Cardinals and lost 30-24, but the game marked the beginning of a new era in Seattle sports.