On May 18, several significant historical events have occurred:

• In 1980, Mount St. Helens in Washington state erupted following a 5.1 magnitude earthquake, causing one of the greatest volcanic explosions in North America. The eruption killed 57 people and lowered the volcano's summit by about 1300 feet (400 meters)

• In 2009, the Sri Lankan Civil War ended after 25 years of conflict between the government and the Tamil Tigers, with up to 100,000 lives lost

• In 1974, India conducted its first successful nuclear bomb test, codenamed "Smiling Buddha," at the Pokhran Test Range under the supervision of key Indian generals

• In 1927, the Bath school disaster occurred in Michigan, where a disgruntled school board member set off bombs killing 45 people, marking the worst school massacre in U.S. history

• In 1917, the U.S. Congress passed the Selective Service Act, authorizing a military draft for World War I

• Other notable events include the founding of Montreal in 1642, Napoleon Bonaparte being proclaimed Emperor of France in 1804, and the first Indian film, Shree Pundalik, being released in 1912

May 18 is also observed as International Museum Day and World AIDS Vaccine Day, highlighting cultural and health awareness globally

. Famous birthdays on May 18 include Pope John Paul II (1920) and American singer Perry Como (1912)

. These events make May 18 a day marked by significant historical, cultural, and scientific milestones worldwide.