1. In 1839, the Texas Congress passed a bill establishing the town of Austin as the new capital of the Republic of Texas, replacing the former capital of Houston. Named after Stephen F. Austin, the "Father of Texas," the city would go on to become a major cultural, political, and economic center for the state.

2. On January 25, 1900, a massive hurricane made landfall near Galveston, causing widespread destruction and claiming the lives of more than 6,000 people. Known as the deadliest natural disaster in U.S. history, the Galveston Hurricane of 1900 remains a significant event in Texas history and continues to influence the region's approach to emergency preparedness and response.

3. In 1961, the University of Texas at Austin hired legendary football coach Darrell K Royal, who would go on to lead the Longhorns to three national championships and a 167-47-5 overall record. Considered one of the greatest coaches in college football history, Royal's impact on Texas sports and culture remains a lasting legacy.

4. January 25, 1971 marks the date that Charles Whitman, a former U.S. Marine, climbed to the top of the University of Texas Tower in Austin and opened fire on the campus below, killing 13 people and injuring dozens of others before he was eventually killed by police. Known as the "Tower Sniper," Whitman's rampage was a seminal moment in the history of gun violence in America and remains a tragic reminder of the dangers of mass shootings.

5. On January 25, 1987, a federal grand jury indicted PTL Club founder and televangelist Jim Bakker on charges of mail and wire fraud, conspiracy, and other crimes related to financial improprieties at the ministry. The subsequent scandal would lead to the downfall of Bakker's empire and rock the world of televangelism, with lasting consequences for the religious and political landscape of the United States.