1. On April 9, 1836, the Battle of San Jacinto took place. This historic battle led Texas to gain its independence from Mexico.

2. In 1872, the Texas Legislature passed the "Railroad Commission Act," which created the first regulatory agency in the United States to oversee transportation.

3. In 1914, the city of Houston passed an ordinance establishing the Houston Ship Channel, which made Houston one of the top seaports in the world.

4. On April 9, 1947, the Dallas native pitcher, Jackie Robinson, made his debut with the Brooklyn Dodgers, breaking the color barrier in Major League Baseball.

5. In 1987, the Texas Ranger Hall of Fame and Museum opened in Waco, Texas. The institution honors both the fictional and real-life Texas Rangers who have served the state.