1. In 1789, Bernardo de Gálvez, a Spanish military leader who played a key role in the American Revolutionary War, died in Mexico City. Gálvez is honored in Texas with several place names, including Galveston Island and Galveston Bay.

2. In 1923, the Santa Fe Railroad opened the Texas Chief passenger train service between Chicago and Galveston, providing a direct route for tourists and commerce between the Midwest and the Gulf Coast.

3. In 1970, Willie Nelson released his hit song "On the Road Again," which features lyrics about traveling through Texas and the rest of the country. The iconic singer-songwriter remains a beloved figure in Texas and beyond.

4. In 1991, a jury in Dallas convicted former Panamanian dictator Manuel Noriega on drug trafficking charges. The high-profile trial drew national attention and underscored the United States' involvement in shaping foreign governments during the Cold War era.

5. In 2013, a massive explosion at a fertilizer plant in the town of West, Texas, killed 15 people and injured more than 250 others. The tragedy alerted Texans and policymakers to the safety risks of storing hazardous materials in residential areas, leading to new regulations and legislation to protect communities.