1. In 1839, the city of Austin, Texas was officially made the capital of the Republic of Texas. This decision was made to centralize government operations and provide a compromise between the factions advocating for Houston and those supporting San Antonio as the capital.

2. On August 25, 1933, the state of Texas opened the first park in the United States dedicated specifically to preserving and promoting the history of the Texas Revolution. San Jacinto Battleground State Historic Site includes the location where Texas won its independence from Mexico in 1836.

3. In 1966, the University of Texas at Austin suffered a tragic mass shooting when a former student opened fire on the campus, killing 14 people and injuring 31 others. This event continues to be remembered as one of the deadliest incidents of its kind in American history.

4. Texas A&M University was founded on October 4, 1876, but it was on August 25 of that year when the school officially opened its doors to students. Today, Texas A&M is one of the largest universities in the country and is known for its strong programs in agriculture, engineering, and military science.

5. On August 25, 2005, Hurricane Katrina made landfall in Louisiana, devastating the Gulf Coast and causing widespread damage and destruction throughout the region. Although Texas was not directly in the storm's path, many of its residents and organizations were involved in humanitarian aid efforts for those affected by the disaster.