1. On February 13, 1840, the Republic of Texas declared war against Mexico. The conflict, known as the Republic of Texas-Mexico War, ended in 1842 with a peace treaty.

2. In 1861, the Texas state convention voted to secede from the United States and join the Confederacy. This decision ultimately led to Texas being readmitted to the Union in 1870.

3. On February 13, 1937, the Texas Centennial Exposition opened in Dallas to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Texas' independence from Mexico. The event showcased Texas history, culture, and industry.

4. In 2002, the state of Texas executed Betty Lou Beets, making her the second woman to be executed in the state since the reinstatement of the death penalty in 1976. Beets was convicted of murdering her fifth husband.

5. On February 13, 2004, the Space Shuttle Columbia disaster occurred when the shuttle broke apart during re-entry, killing all seven crew members on board. Pieces of the shuttle and debris were found in several Texas counties, including Nacogdoches and Sabine.