1. On April 30, 1836, the Battle of Gonzales took place, which is considered the first battle of the Texas Revolution. Mexican troops attempted to retrieve a cannon that had been given to Texas settlers for protection against Native American attacks, but the Texans refused to surrender it and instead raised a flag bearing the now-famous slogan "Come and Take It."

2. In 1874, on April 30, the first recorded tornado outbreak in Texas history occurred, with several twisters touching down across the state. One of the tornadoes destroyed the town of New Braunfels, killing dozens and causing widespread damage.

3. On April 30, 1900, the city of Austin was hit by a massive flood caused by days of heavy rain. The Colorado River, which runs through the city, overflowed its banks and submerged much of downtown Austin, causing millions of dollars in damage and claiming dozens of lives.

4. In 1933, on April 30, Willie Nelson was born in Abbott, Texas. The legendary musician has gone on to become one of the most beloved figures in country music history, with a career spanning more than six decades.

5. On April 30, 1982, Texas billionaire Ross Perot led a successful rescue mission to Iran, where two of his employees had been imprisoned for more than a year. Perot hired a team of former U.S. special forces soldiers to mount the operation, which involved flying the prisoners out of the country on a private jet. The daring mission made headlines around the world and cemented Perot's reputation as a savvy and resourceful businessman.