1. In 1835, the Texas Revolution officially began with the Battle of Gonzales. At the time, the Mexican government wanted to disarm the Texans they had previously granted permission to settle in the area, resulting in a stand-off between the two groups. The Texans ultimately won the battle and became known for their battle cry, "Come and Take It."

2. In 1911, the "Slaughter Rule" was established in Texas high school football. Named after coach E.E. Slaughter, the rule mandated that any team leading by 15 points or more must continuously score to avoid a forfeit. The rule was eventually abolished in 2015.

3. On December 12, 1949, the University of Houston officially became a four-year university. Prior to that, it had been a junior college since its founding in 1927. The university now boasts over 47,000 students and is the third-largest university in Texas.

4. In 2015, San Antonio Spurs basketball player Tim Duncan became the second player in NBA history to reach 1,000 career wins with a single team. Duncan played with the Spurs for his entire 19-year career, helping them win five NBA championships.

5. On December 12, 2000, Texas Governor George W. Bush was appointed the winner of the 2000 presidential election by the US Supreme Court. This decision ended a recount dispute in Florida and garnered controversy regarding the electoral college versus popular vote system. Bush went on to serve two terms as president of the United States.