1. In 1835, the Battle of Concepcion took place near San Antonio. It was a small engagement between Mexican troops and Texian volunteer soldiers during the Texas Revolution.
2. In 1845, Texas officially became the 28th state of the United States. This followed the annexation of Texas by the U.S. Congress and ended the period of Texas as an independent republic.
3. In 1908, a massive explosion occurred in the mining town of West - about 20 miles north of Waco - killing 23 people and destroying many buildings. It was believed to have been caused by a build-up of coal dust in the mines.
4. In 1945, a plane carrying six U.S. servicemen crashed near Mount Bonnell in Austin, killing all on board. The incident was later commemorated with a memorial plaque at the crash site.
5. In 1989, a fire broke out at the Dupont Plaza Hotel in San Juan, Puerto Rico, killing 97 people and injuring over 140. The incident had ties to Texas, as the hotel was owned by a group of investors that included several businessmen from the Dallas area.