1. On February 20, 1839, the Texas Supreme Court was established in the city of Austin. The court consisted of a chief justice and two associate justices and was created to serve as the highest appellate court in the state.

2. In 1877, on February 20, the Great Blizzard of 1877 struck Texas, bringing record-breaking snow and ice to the state. The storm caused widespread damage and disrupted transportation and communication throughout the region.

3. On February 20, 1947, Willie Wells, a standout shortstop in the Negro Leagues, became the first African American to sign with a Texas League team. Wells signed a contract with the San Antonio Missions and played for the team for two seasons.

4. In 1962, on February 20, astronaut John Glenn became the first American to orbit the Earth. Glenn's spacecraft, the Friendship 7, was launched from Cape Canaveral, FL and orbited the Earth three times before landing in the Atlantic Ocean.

5. On February 20, 2003, the deadliest fire in Rhode Island history occurred at The Station nightclub in West Warwick, RI. The fire killed 100 people and injured more than 200 others, many of whom were attending a concert by the band Great White. The tragedy had a profound impact on the state of Rhode Island and led to significant changes in fire safety regulations across the country.