1. In 1836, the Battle of San Jacinto began. This final battle of the Texas Revolution lasted only 18 minutes, with the Texans led by General Sam Houston defeating Mexican General Santa Anna's army and securing Texas independence.

2. In 1845, Texas was officially admitted as the 28th state of the United States. This came after a controversial annexation process and fueled tensions between the North and South leading up to the Civil War.

3. In 1930, Texas oil tycoon and philanthropist H.L. Hunt married his second wife, Ruth Ray. Hunt went on to become one of the wealthiest people in the world and contributed to numerous causes throughout his life.

4. In 1964, President Lyndon B. Johnson authorized the construction of the Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center in Houston. The center has since played a major role in numerous space missions, including the Apollo program and Space Shuttle missions.

5. In 2017, the Texas Senate passed a controversial bill banning sanctuary cities, which are local governments that limit their cooperation with federal immigration authorities. The bill was signed into law by Governor Greg Abbott and sparked protests from advocates of immigrant rights.