1. May 4, 1829: The Austin City Council is Founded
On May 4th, 1829, the Austin City Council was founded after the establishment of the village of Waterloo three years prior. This founding came shortly after the establishment of Austin as the capital of Texas in 1839.

2. May 4, 1836: Battle of Gonzales
May 4th, 1836 marked an important day in the Texas Revolution with the Battle of Gonzales. Mexican troops demanded the return of a cannon given to Texan colonists for protection against Indian attacks. The colonists refused to give it back, and the first shots of the Battle of Gonzales were fired.

3. May 4, 1865: Confederate General Edmund Kirby Smith Surrenders
On May 4th, 1865, Confederate General Edmund Kirby Smith surrendered, effectively ending the Civil War in Texas. He surrendered his troops to Union general Gordon Granger in Galveston, Texas.

4. May 4, 1927: Mississippi Flood Reaches Texas
The flood that began on the Mississippi River on April 16th, 1927, finally reached Texas on May 4th of that year. This was one of the largest floods in U.S. history and resulted in widespread devastation across several states.

5. May 4, 1970: Four Killed at Kent State University in Ohio
Although not specifically related to Texas, the May 4th, 1970 shootings at Kent State University in Ohio had an impact across the country, including in Texas. The shootings resulted in the deaths of four students and injuries to nine others, leading to protests and demonstrations across the U.S., including on Texas college campuses.