1. In 1836, Texas declared its independence from Mexico, sparking the Texas Revolution. March 1 is known as Texas Independence Day and is celebrated every year as a state holiday.

2. In 1861, Texas became the seventh state to secede from the Union, joining the Confederate States of America. This decision led to Texas becoming a major battleground during the Civil War.

3. On March 1, 1932, the Texas State Library and Archives Commission was established, becoming the official repository for all state government records.

4. In 2003, NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston became the primary location for the recovery and identification of the remains of the Space Shuttle Columbia crew following its tragic disintegration during re-entry. March 1 was the second day of the investigation.

5. On March 1, 2016, Texas executed its 538th prisoner since reinstating the death penalty in 1976. Texas has executed more prisoners than any other state in the United States.