1. Texas celebrates "National Plum Pudding Day" on February 12th each year. Plum pudding, also known as Christmas pudding, is a traditional English dessert made with suet, breadcrumbs, fruits, and spices.

2. On February 12, 1861, the state of Texas officially joined the Confederacy by a vote of 166-8 in a convention held in Austin. Texas was the seventh state to secede from the Union, and its decision helped to escalate tensions leading up to the Civil War.

3. In 1909, the first streetcars began operating in Austin on February 12th. The city's streetcar system operated until 1940 and was replaced by buses and automobiles. Today, a new public transportation system called MetroRapid serves the Austin area.

4. On February 12, 1997, the Space Shuttle Discovery launched from the Kennedy Space Center for a mission that included the deployment of an Italian satellite and a spacewalk by astronauts. The mission was particularly noteworthy because a Texas senator, Kay Bailey Hutchison, was on board as a payload specialist.

5. February 12th is also known as National Freedom Day, a holiday celebrated across the United States commemorating the signing of the 13th Amendment to the Constitution, which abolished slavery. In Texas, Freedom Day is celebrated with special events and activities throughout the state, including panel discussions, art exhibits, and performances.