1. In 1845, Texas officially became the 28th state in the United States, after a lengthy process of gaining independence from Mexico and negotiating annexation with the United States government.

2. On January 23, 1909, the first long-distance telephone service in Texas was established between Dallas and Fort Worth. This service laid the foundation for the extensive telecommunications networks that are used throughout the state today.

3. In 1961, the Texas Legislature created the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, which is responsible for the management and conservation of the state's natural resources, including its parks, wildlife, and fisheries.

4. On January 23, 1977, the Dallas Cowboys won Super Bowl XII, defeating the Denver Broncos 27-10. This victory marked the second Super Bowl win for the Cowboys and solidified their status as one of the most successful teams in NFL history.

5. In 1983, the Texas Highway Department (now the Texas Department of Transportation) unveiled its "Don't Mess with Texas" anti-litter campaign. The campaign has since become one of the most iconic and successful public service campaigns in the state's history, inspiring pride in Texas and encouraging citizens to take responsibility for keeping their communities clean and beautiful.