1. In 1865, the Thirteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution was ratified by the state of Texas, which officially abolished slavery and involuntary servitude throughout the country.

2. On January 31, 1917, Texas was hit by one of the deadliest tornadoes in its history, known as the "Houston Tornado." It killed 46 people and caused extensive damage throughout the city.

3. In 1923, the state of Texas adopted its official flag, which features a lone star and the colors red, white, and blue. The flag is one of the most recognizable symbols of the state.

4. On January 31, 1956, Texas Western College (now the University of Texas at El Paso) became the first university in the United States to have a majority Hispanic student population.

5. On January 31, 1971, Apollo 14, the third manned mission to land on the Moon, returned to Earth with Texas native and astronaut Alan Shepard on board. Shepard had become the first American to travel into space in 1961.