1. On April 3, 1836, the Texas army under the leadership of General Sam Houston engaged in a battle with the Mexican army at the Battle of San Jacinto. This decisive victory led to the end of the Texas Revolution and Texas gaining its independence from Mexico.

2. In 1918, the deadliest train wreck in Texas history occurred on April 3 near Houston, resulting in the deaths of 101 people and injuring over 200 others. The cause of the accident was attributed to miscommunication between train crews and a failure to follow safety protocols.

3. Legendary baseball player Nolan Ryan made his Major League Baseball debut on April 3, 1966, pitching for the New York Mets against the Atlanta Braves. Ryan, who grew up in Texas, went on to have a storied career, including setting numerous records and being inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame.

4. On April 3, 1988, Texas billionaire and philanthropist H. Ross Perot announced his candidacy for president of the United States. Although he ultimately did not win the election, his third-party campaign garnered significant attention and support, especially in his home state of Texas.

5. In 2015, the Texas Senate approved a bill on April 3 that would allow licensed gun owners to openly carry their firearms in most public places. The law went into effect on January 1, 2016, making Texas one of the most permissive states when it comes to gun laws.